i-suite

From congestion to coordination: Making US airports smart for FIFA 2026

insight
June 17, 2025
9 min read

circular_ram_reddy

Ram Reddy is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Nagarro. His focus is on developing scalable and sustainable solutions that are primarily designed to deliver valuable information.

Vinay Yadav

Vinay Yadav is Practice Lead, Travel and Transportation at Nagarro. With 16 years of experience in travel technologies, he focuses on driving innovative and reliable solutions that elevate passenger experience.

The challenge and opportunity

Football-match-tile

In 2026, the world will arrive in the US for the FIFA World Cup and the country’s busiest airports will be more than just transit hubs. This will be a real-time test of our preparedness to manage complexity, volume, and disruption on a global scale. With millions of travelers on the move and operational complexity at an all-time high, the risks of fragmented systems and reactive processes will become clear.

Smart airports offer a different standard: they are real-time, digital, and designed for agility at scale. They combine digital and physical operations to anticipate disruptions, optimize operations, and enable faster, smarter decisions. This is a rare opportunity for the US to lead by example: to show how smart infrastructure meets global demand and improves the passenger experience. The question is not whether we can handle the pressure but whether we are ready to shine under it.

What global mega-events teach us

Global events have shown that success in aviation isn’t about scale alone. What sets high-performance airports is characterized by their ability to coordinate intelligently, see clearly in real-time and act quickly and safely. At the heart of this capability is a connected system that brings together people, technology, and infrastructure to function as a single, responsive unit. This real-time integration contributes to making it a truly smart airport.

Qatar – FIFA World Cup 2022

Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup were not just about smart physical infrastructure. The authorities invested in smart operations centers and more comprehensive digital systems that helped them manage complex operations in real-time. These integrated solutions ensure precise and flexible responses under pressure, enabling better visibility, optimized passenger and baggage flow, and forward planning throughout the event.

Beijing – 2008 Olympic Games

Beijing’s preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games went beyond expanding terminal capacity. Besides the physical infrastructure, the authorities deployed integrated systems and coordinated ground and air transportation planning. This ensured that operations remained smooth even when demand was high and traffic flow were not compromised.

Brazil – World Cup and Olympic Games 2014–2016

In preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, Brazil digitized air traffic communication at 23 airports. This has significantly reduced congestion and error rates while improving coordination and operational efficiency at a national level, crucial given the pressures of hosting two major global events.

Dubai – World Expo 2020

For the 2020 World Expo, Dubai prioritized data over physical expansion. As part of the DXB Plus initiative, the airport increased its capacity through automation, predictive analytics and intelligent queue and flow management. This data-driven approach optimized throughput without the need for major infrastructure improvements.

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Qatar – FIFA World Cup 2022

Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup were not just about smart physical infrastructure. The authorities invested in smart operations centers and more comprehensive digital systems that helped them manage complex operations in real-time. These integrated solutions ensure precise and flexible responses under pressure, enabling better visibility, optimized passenger and baggage flow, and forward planning throughout the event.

Beijing – 2008 Olympic Games

Beijing’s preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games went beyond expanding terminal capacity. Besides the physical infrastructure, the authorities deployed integrated systems and coordinated ground and air transportation planning. This ensured that operations remained smooth even when demand was high and traffic flow were not compromised.

Brazil – World Cup and Olympic Games 2014–2016

In preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, Brazil digitized air traffic communication at 23 airports. This has significantly reduced congestion and error rates while improving coordination and operational efficiency at a national level, crucial given the pressures of hosting two major global events.

Dubai – World Expo 2020

For the 2020 World Expo, Dubai prioritized data over physical expansion. As part of the DXB Plus initiative, the airport increased its capacity through automation, predictive analytics and intelligent queue and flow management. This data-driven approach optimized throughput without the need for major infrastructure improvements.

These events all reveal the same truth: capacity helps, but integrated digital coordination wins. For airports, success is not measured in square meters, but in how well each system works together.

Key operational challenges for airports

Why it matters

Global events like the FIFA World Cup not only led to an increase in traffic, but they also put every system at the airport to the test. From security checkpoints to digital signage, any inefficiency is compounded by the volume, variety and urgency of global travelers moving in real-time.

This is what is at stake:

Small gaps become big failures.

What seems manageable under normal conditions, such as delayed wheelchair escort or baggage jam, can grow into a system-wide disruption without real-time visibility and response.

The airport is the city's welcome mat.

For millions of international visitors, it's their first step onto US soil. A confusing arrival, characterized by long lines, poor signage or frustrated staff that reflects poorly on the airport and shapes the first impression of the entire city.

Weak points will not go unnoticed.

Infrastructure problems that normally go unnoticed such as power outages, security issues, and accessibility delays, will be in the global spotlight. And when they fail, they make headlines.

Reacting is too late. Predict what’s next.

Modern airports can’t afford to wait for disruptions. AI-powered forecasting, digital twins, and unified operations help detect pressure points early and act fast—before delays, crowding, or failures spiral out of control.

The shift is from reactive to predictive, and from predictive to prescriptive. Airports like Dublin already use five-minute forecasts. It is time to push the envelope further by simulating multiple matchday scenarios and aligning with regional transit systems.

Intelligent, data-driven operation

Managing a rush during a global event is not only a question of resources but also of transparency and speed. Airports need a unified, real-time view across all touchpoints: check-in, security, gates, baggage handling, and ground transportation. When systems work in silos, decisions are delayed. When they work together, airports move in lockstep.

With the right digital infrastructure, airport authorities can answer business-critical questions at the right moment:

1.

Where are the queues forming right now?

2.

How should staff be deployed — by zone, time, and volume?

3.

Which flights are at risk, and how does this impact downstream areas?

Live dashboards and predictive analytics make these answers possible. By predicting passenger volumes every five minutes, airports can act before bottlenecks occur. When disruptions due to weather, technical faults, or capacity shortages—integrated systems can immediately identify the impact and recommend actions in real-time.

This is the change from reactive to predictive. And from predictive to prescriptive.

Airports like Dublin have already introduced five-minute forecasts to stay one step ahead. Now it’s time to go even further, simulating matchday scenarios, coordinating with regional transport systems, and enabling coordinated real-time decisions between all airport partners.

The focus must be on four performance pillars: Waiting times, throughput, safety, and punctuality. If these are continuously monitored and adjustments are made proactively, even the busiest traffic can be handled smoothly and safely.

Qatar demonstrated in 2022 that a smart operations center is the difference between coping and leading. It allows flexibility when the pressure is greatest and clarity when every second counts.

AI Investment in Telecommunications- Over 50% of Communication Service Providers (CSPs) have allocated IT budgets for generative AI in 2024, with many reallocating funds from existing digital transformation or AI initiatives.

Smart operations framework

Input

Sensors, people counters, Wi-Fi density, camera feeds

Analysis

Predictive models (weather, traffic, crowding)

Command

Operations center decisions (gates, staff, transport)

Output

Alerts, rerouting, service activation

1

Input

Sensors, people counters, Wi-Fi density, camera feeds

2

Analysis

Predictive models (weather, traffic, crowding)

3

Command

Operations center decisions (gates, staff, transport)

4

Output

Alerts, rerouting, service activation

From crowd prediction to gate reallocation, smart operations will hinge on data moving at the speed of demand.

Reimagining the passenger journey: From crowds to confidence

Smart airport operations do not end behind the scenes. For millions of visitors arriving for the FIFA World Cup, smart airports must also deliver intuitive, seamless experiences from the moment passengers land.

The real opportunity? It has to feel effortless.

Technology will make a difference between chaos and confidence. Here's how to accompany every passenger every step of the way:

Digital companions that speak their language

A multilingual virtual assistant, integrated into apps, kiosks or WhatsApp can answer questions such as “Where is the immigration office?” or “How do I get to the stadium?” in real time. This is not just a chatbot. It’s a digital companion that supports travelers in their language, context, and when they need it.

Smart support for dual-time travelers

Some visitors will arrive hours early, unsure what to do next. Others may be rushing through unfamiliar terminals. Smart systems must support both of them. For early arrivals, personalized recommendations—lounges, dining, or cultural exhibits—can turn idle time into a positive experience. For late arrivals, time-sensitive routing helps avoid missed flights and panic.

Navigation that thinks like a passenger

The interactive directions based on location data help passengers navigate intuitively through the terminal. If you get lost, you will be redirected. If you are pressed for time, it shows you the quickest way to your gate. It adapts like a human assistant, without any guesswork.

Personalization that feels thoughtful

With consent, AI can give helpful hints: “You have 90 minutes. Do you want a bite to eat?” or “The store for World Cup merchandise is just up ahead.” These micro-interventions reduce anxiety, increase satisfaction and encourage meaningful engagement — without ever seeming intrusive.

At a moment when the world is watching, we should move from controlling crowds to trusting travelers. This is what smart airports are built for.

Measuring what matters: transforming metrics into momentum

Behind every seamless journey is a system that knows exactly how it works, and how quickly it can adapt. Operational excellence is not just a guess; it is measured in real time.

person checkmark and home

Throughput

How many passengers can move smoothly through each checkpoint hour after hour?

Wait times

At security, check-in, immigration and beyond — because the perception of efficiency begins in the queue

Security

Not just on the airfield, but in every terminal, in the corridors and at the connection points

Punctuality

Because even the best-run airport loses confidence when flights are delayed

These KPIs are not theoretical; they are based on passengers' feelings. Delays, overcrowding, missed connections—these are all signs that a system is not adapting fast enough.

With real-time data integration, airports can move from passive monitoring to active response. Live dashboards, fed by sensors and staff, highlight problems as soon as they occur, prompting immediate action such as opening new lanes, redistributing staff or rerouting passengers before bottlenecks occur.

Throughput works in the same way. A delayed baggage carousel? The ramp team switches over. Congestion at the gates? Dynamic reassignment keeps things moving. The airport becomes a living, responsive system that constantly realigns itself to stay on course.

Security also needs to evolve. Intelligent monitoring through Wi-Fi and CCTV helps to detect crowds early, while coordination with emergency services ensures a quick and targeted response.

Punctuality will be under pressure, especially with charter flights and the rush on match days. Intelligent gate planning, fast turnaround times, and close coordination with the airlines can keep up with the schedule. Qatar 2022 used satellite airports to ease the pressure, US hubs can adopt this concept.

It’s not just about tracking these metrics but reacting, learning, and improving in real time.

Technology as a great integrator

Most airports still operate with systems that don't communicate with each other—separate tools for baggage, check-in, security, and gates that work in isolation. This kind of fragmentation is a well-known challenge, but it becomes a real vulnerability when millions of travelers flood into a hub like Atlanta for the 2026 World Cup.

The solution is a modern data platform that combines these systems into a single operational view. As the digital backbone of the airport, it enables real-time data sharing, predictive modeling and coordinated responses — turning complexity into clarity when it matters most.

smart airports in US

That's why the digital transformation of airports is no longer optional. It's essential.

At the center of this transformation is a modern data platform, which acts as the airport's nervous system. It is built on well-structured data products and services that make information trusted, connected, and usable across teams. This gives everyone, from operations to customer service, a shared view of what is happening and what needs to happen next.

But what makes this platform powerful is what you build on top of it. With analytics and predictive models, airports cannot just react to what has gone wrong but prepare for what is to come. These models help to simulate passenger flows, forecast staffing requirements and plan for disruptions — be it a sudden change in the weather or an unexpected surge in arrivals.

With this kind of intelligence, smart airport solutions can do what it used to take entire teams to do. They monitor, analyze, and respond in real-time, rerouting passengers, reassigning gates, and ensuring smooth operations without manual intervention.

When you add digital twins, AI-powered forecasting, and networked command centers, airports gain something rare: the ability to anticipate and act before problems arise. This eliminates bottlenecks — not by guessing, but by knowing.

All of this comes together in smart airport systems, an ecosystem in which every part of the operation is connected, responsive, and adaptive. Here, the data doesn't just describe what happened. It determines what happens next.

The real question is not whether airports should evolve. The question is whether they can do it quickly and intelligently to meet the demands.

From chaos to confidence: Transforming US airports for FIFA 2026

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