Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH and APCOA Deutschland GmbH have extended their cooperation in parking management. The new contract stipulates that APCOA will continue to manage the technically controlled parking areas and the Kiss-&-Fly drop-off zone at Düsseldorf Airport, North Rhine-Westphalia's largest commercial airport. As part of this renewal, the existing operational and service structures will be expanded together with the airport. Regular operations under the new conditions are set to commence on 1 February 2027.
As before, APCOA will be responsible for managing approximately 20,000 parking spaces on the airport premises. Recent operational activities included over 3.8 million parking transactions and around 5 million transactions in the Kiss-&-Fly zone annually. This collaboration forms a crucial component of Düsseldorf Airport's landside mobility and service infrastructure. A central element of the expanded cooperation is the closer integration of the previously separate management of parking transactions and the Kiss-&-Fly zone. This will be complemented by enhanced quality management and the implementation of additional digital solutions for operations and customer service.
Operational Control and Digital Innovations
The aim of the partnership is to make processes more efficient, utilise capacities according to demand, and continuously improve service quality. APCOA will take over the operational and commercial management of the contractually defined parking areas, as well as the entire customer service. This includes the control room function, coordination of staff deployment and capacities, and support for users with booking, payment, and parking processes. The digital structures already in place at the airport provide a solid foundation for these innovations.
The existing ticketless parking system with automatic number plate recognition, along with digital booking and payment options, will be supplemented by further digital operational and service processes. Plans include, among other things, more systematic digital quality control and automated evaluations for process optimisation. Customer service is also to be further digitalised, with new applications such as AI-supported service and a voicebot being gradually tested. Anja Dauser, Head of Commercial at Düsseldorf Airport, emphasised that an excellent airport requires reliable and innovative partners who understand their role as an integral part of the passenger journey. She explained that APCOA had once again impressed in the tendering process by combining a first-class customer experience, efficient operations, and the use of modern technologies with continuous development.
Diverse Parking Solutions and Strategic Importance
Katrin Teichert, Managing Director at APCOA Germany, expressed her delight at the strategic expansion of the cooperation. She highlighted that APCOA's team combines comprehensive local knowledge with digital processes, data-based control, and consistent quality management to even more closely integrate local requirements. Düsseldorf Airport offers a wide range of parking options, from short-term parking close to the terminal, to long-term options for passengers, visitors, drop-offs and pick-ups, as well as parking solutions for employees and frequent users. This offering is complemented by the Kiss-&-Fly zone and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Düsseldorf Airport's parking solutions are tailored to the needs of national and international guests, as well as business and private travellers. With the expansion of the partnership, Düsseldorf Airport and APCOA are strengthening parking management as an essential component of the mobility and service offerings at the site.
