NEXT TRIP – ANOTHER FLIGHT
Parking my car in the garage, I take the elevator to the first floor.
I’ve just arrived at the airport, and I’m on my way—once again.
Even after more than three decades in the aviation industry, I never tire of the unique energy that fills an airport. Today, I'm departing from my hometown hub: Copenhagen Airport (CPH).
Regardless of the hour, the atmosphere is always slightly intense. Travelers from all over the world are arriving and departing. The airport truly never sleeps.
Today’s journey is special—I'm on my way to meet a potential new client.
As the well-known actor Tom Hanks said in Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.” That quote rings true in my line of work.
A while back, I visited a mid-sized airport in Germany. As I passed through the arrivals area, something clicked—as it often does.
It might be a professional quirk—or perhaps a side effect of having worked in and around airport arrival services since 1995—but I tend to notice things. Details, large and small. Some are so subtle they go unnoticed by staff, while others may be more visible but still unmanaged. Individually they may seem harmless, but together they can create serious challenges during peak travel times.
As always, I made notes during my visit. Here are a few observations:
I counted seven staff members spread across three nearly identical counters.
Outdated luggage carts were still in use—far from efficient.
I learned from a staff member that they divide luggage into four different areas, spread all over the airport, for hand out to customers, and for pick-up by up to ten different delivery companies.
I don’t claim to work miracles, but seeing these inefficiencies gives me goosebumps—and fuels my drive to offer solutions. My mind races with ideas: whether introducing an improved IT system or redesigning the work processes and infrastructure, there's always room for meaningful improvement.
Each ground handler has their own methods, and it's true what they say: “Seen one airport, seen one airport.” No two are the same. Still, arrival areas often share similar pain points.
To address this, I’ve developed a comprehensive system called CleanArrival©. I’m excited to present it today and share my vision for collaboration with a potential client.
As an independent consultant, it's not always easy to "get a hand on the right handle," but I believe I can show how they can both:
Save over a million euros annually, and
Create a significantly better working environment for porters, passenger agents, and delivery staff.
Ideally, the airport will also want to be part of this journey—supporting a cleaner, smarter, more welcoming arrival experience for all.
I’m confident that I can prove my value. And I’m looking forward to demonstrating that CleanArrival© is here to stay—perhaps at this airport, and who knows, maybe at yours too.