Copenhagen Optimization
Copenhagen Optimization builds Better Airport, a cloud-based SaaS platform of nine modular applications that airport operators use to plan and execute check-in, baggage, security, gate, border, and staffing operations through a shared, ML-driven connected-operations data layer.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersCopenhagen, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Copenhagen Optimization does
Copenhagen Optimization is a private Danish software company founded in 2014 that builds and sells Better Airport, a cloud-based SaaS platform used by airport operators to plan and execute core operations from curb to gate, including check-in, baggage, security, stand and gate, border control, shift planning, staff deployment, and virtual queuing. The platform is offered as nine modular components that can be mixed and matched and are designed to connect previously siloed operational systems through a shared data layer, REST/SOAP APIs, and iPaaS-compatible integrations with MuleSoft and Azure Integration Services. Machine learning underpins the Better Forecast module, which produces flight-by-flight passenger and baggage presentation forecasts updated every five minutes, while optimization algorithms drive resource allocation across the other modules.
The company sells primarily through enterprise field sales to airport operators worldwide, with pricing set per airport based on size and number of modules deployed under multi-year contracts; it also offers airport consulting services. As of 2024 it served 41 airports across five continents — including Dallas Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Sydney, Frankfurt, JFKIAT, Manchester, Denver, Singapore Changi, Dublin, Stockholm Arlanda, Copenhagen, and others — covering approximately 1.178 billion annual passengers, or roughly 12% of global air travelers. Following the December 2024 majority stake acquisition by InfraVia Capital Partners, the company is headquartered in Copenhagen with a Boston regional office and reports a team of 53 employees from 20 nationalities, co-led by Co-CEOs Kasper Hounsgaard and Anders Dohn.
Copenhagen Optimization firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Copenhagen Optimization
- Legal name
- Copenhagen Optimization
- Website
- https://copenhagenoptimization.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Copenhagen Optimization builds Better Airport, a cloud-based SaaS platform of nine modular applications that airport operators use to plan and execute check-in, baggage, security, gate, border, and staffing operations through a shared, ML-driven connected-operations data layer.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Copenhagen Optimization industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Airport Operations Management Software
- NAICS
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Airport Operations (48811)
- SIC
- Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AI/ML Revenue Optimization Platforms & Decision Automation (THALAOAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Baggage Handling, Storage & Passenger Logistics (TLAHAEAD)
Keywords
Where Copenhagen Optimization is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Copenhagen
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Copenhagen Optimization business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Licensing (SaaS): Modular cloud-based software subscription model where airports can mix and match modules based on their operational needs. Pricing is based on airport size and number of Better Airport modules deployed.
- Airport Consultancy Services: Data-driven airport consulting services based on expertise in operational strategy, advanced analytics, planning and optimization. Strong partnerships and collaboration with active client involvement throughout the process.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Custom modular pricing based on airport size and module selection |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Copenhagen Optimization product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Copenhagen Optimization develops and sells Better Airport, a cloud-based SaaS "Connected Operations" platform for airport operators. The platform connects previously siloed airport functions (check-in, baggage, security, stand & gate, immigration) through nine modular components using machine learning forecasting and real-time optimization. The company also offers data-driven airport consultancy services in operational strategy, analytics, planning, and optimization.
Product overview
Copenhagen Optimization offers Better Airport®, a cloud-based airport management SaaS platform and the world's leading connected operations platform for airport operators. The platform operates on a modular architecture with nine core modules that can be mixed and matched: Better Forecast (passenger/baggage flow prediction using machine learning), Better Check-in (counter allocation), Better Security (lane optimization), Better Border (immigration checkpoint operations), Better Baggage (outbound/reclaim flow management), Better Stand & Gate (automatic stand/gate allocation), Better Shift (shift planning/rostering), Better Virtual Queuing (passenger time slot reservations), and Better Deployment (staff deployment). The modules are designed to connect and share data, enabling airports to transition from siloed operations to connected operations with a single source of truth.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Better Airport: Cloud-based airport operations management software platform providing modules for forecasting, check-in, security, border control, baggage, stand & gate management, shift planning, and virtual queuing.
Products and services
- Better Airport Cloud-based Connected Operations SaaS platform for airport operators providing a single integrated system to optimize core airport operations from curb to gate, including check-in, baggage, security, stand & gate, and immigration. It connects previously siloed operations and allows data to flow across all airport systems.
- Better Forecast Machine learning-powered forecasting module that precisely predicts passenger and baggage flows, providing flight-by-flight forecasts with real-time updates every five minutes for accurate operational planning.
- Better Check-in Intelligent counter allocation module that optimizes check-in counter usage and passenger flows, enabling transparent cooperation with airlines and handling agents through a common operating platform.
- Better Security Optimized lane opening plans module that indicates the number of security lanes to open in 5-minute increments, automatically updating based on passenger tracking and flight schedule changes to reduce wait times.
- Better Border Immigration checkpoint operation optimization module that uses real-time flight and passenger flow data for continuous day-to-day execution optimization and border planning.
- Better Baggage
Quantifiable outcome
- London Luton Airport achieved 25% reduction in security wait times (from 12 to 9 minutes average) and 80% increase in passenger satisfaction
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Copenhagen Optimization
Customer profileNamed customers26 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Copenhagen Optimization technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature5 records
Copenhagen Optimization partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- Grantley Adams International Airport (Barbados)strategicPartnership with GAIA Inc. to deliver a new Resource Management System (RMS) at the Caribbean travel hub - first Caribbean airport partner.
- Melbourne AirportcoreMelbourne Airport is implementing a data-driven strategy to improve operational efficiency and passenger experience, leveraging real-time information, predictive analytics, automation, and AI. Following a successful pilot over the past year, the airport established a strategic partnership with Copenhagen Optimization.
- ISS PacificcorePartnership with leading facility service provider ISS Pacific to deliver a suite of solutions that will elevate and improve security operations across some of Australia's busiest airports.
- JFKIAT (JFK Terminal 4)coreExpanded partnership with JFKIAT, the operator of JFK T4, to improve operational functionalities at JFK International Airport's largest terminal.
- Brisbane International AirportcoreCopenhagen Optimization deployed Better Forecast and Better Security modules at Brisbane Airport, introducing a data-driven framework to strengthen the airport's security operations.
- Lyon AirportstrategicLaunched free ZENLINE security service in Terminal 1 - first in France. Passengers can reserve free security checkpoint time slots.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Copenhagen Optimization competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SITA: SITA is the world's largest dedicated airport IT and communications specialist, providing passenger processing, operations, and baggage solutions to airports globally. It is the most direct large-scale competitor to Copenhagen Optimization across airport operations and resource management.
- Veovo: Veovo provides AI-driven airport operations, passenger flow forecasting and queue management software to airports and airlines. Its predictive analytics and capacity-planning product closely overlaps Better Airport's Better Forecast, Better Security and Better Virtual Queuing modules.
- INFORM: INFORM supplies ground operations, resource planning and aviation optimization software used by airlines, airports and ground handlers. Its Aviation division competes head-on with Copenhagen Optimization on staff rostering, turnaround and stand/gate optimization.
- TAV Technologies: TAV Technologies builds airport operation centers, AODB, resource management and passenger processing software deployed across TAV's own airports and sold to third-party operators. It is a direct competitor in airport operations software, particularly in EMEA.
- Damarel Systems International: Damarel provides airport operations and flight information display software (FIOS/OASYS) to airports worldwide. It competes with Copenhagen Optimization on operational management, common-use and resource scheduling products targeting mid-size and regional airports.
Emerging players
- AeroCloud Systems: AeroCloud is a cloud-native airport management platform offering AODB, operations and passenger processing software to small and mid-sized airports. It targets the same modular, cloud-first buyer that Copenhagen Optimization sells into, particularly at regional airports.
Broad incumbents
- Amadeus: Amadeus is a global travel technology giant whose Airport IT business offers operations, passenger processing and baggage solutions alongside its dominant airline GDS franchise. It competes with Copenhagen Optimization on integrated airport operations suites, especially for large hub customers.
- Collins Aerospace (Airport Solutions): Collins Aerospace (which acquired ARINC) provides airport operations, passenger processing and air traffic solutions to airports and ANSPs globally. Its broad aviation portfolio and incumbency at major hubs make it a frequent competitor in large airport IT procurements.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Copenhagen Optimization social profiles
Digital presenceCopenhagen Optimization financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Copenhagen Optimization leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Copenhagen Optimization funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Copenhagen Optimization M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Copenhagen Optimization
What does Copenhagen Optimization do?
Copenhagen Optimization develops and sells Better Airport, a cloud-based SaaS "Connected Operations" platform for airport operators. The platform connects previously siloed airport functions (check-in, baggage, security, stand & gate, immigration) through nine modular components using machine learning forecasting and real-time optimization. The company also offers data-driven airport consultancy services in operational strategy, analytics, planning, and optimization.
Is Copenhagen Optimization a public or private company?
Copenhagen Optimization is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Copenhagen Optimization founded?
Copenhagen Optimization was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Copenhagen Optimization based?
Copenhagen Optimization is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Copenhagen Optimization make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing (SaaS) is the primary driver. The others are airport Consultancy Services.
Who are Copenhagen Optimization's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SITA, Veovo, INFORM, TAV Technologies and Damarel Systems International. AeroCloud Systems is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Amadeus and Collins Aerospace (Airport Solutions).
Does Copenhagen Optimization have an API?
Yes. Better Airport exposes a wide and ever-expanding range of external APIs that allow easy integration with various data sources, improving real-time operations. The platform supports all widely accepted standards including direct database connections, REST APIs, and SOAP. Data exchanges can be initiated by either airport systems or triggered by Better Airport events, and can also run on a scheduled basis. The platform is fully compatible with leading Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solutions like MuleSoft and Azure Integration Services. Every piece of data within Better Airport is accessible through integrations, allowing easy communication with other systems such as BI tools and situational awareness solutions.
What industry is Copenhagen Optimization in?
Copenhagen Optimization's product category is Airport Operations Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THALAOAM, AI/ML Revenue Optimization Platforms & Decision Automation, with a secondary code of TLAHAEAD, Baggage Handling, Storage & Passenger Logistics. Its NAICS code is 488190 and its SIC code is 4581.