The Power of Data – How Digital Twins are Revolutionising Airports

The concept of digital twins is not new, but the ability to create accurate digital replicas has been limited by the availability of data and computing power. With the advent of the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing, it is now possible to create digital twins that are virtually identical to their physical counterparts. In this episode of the Anticipate podcast, Sherif Bialy caught up with Dana Kawas. Dana is the Chief Executive Officer of Thynkli, a Canadian company that specializes in building digital operations using digital twins in infrastructure, mobility and energy. This episode explores some of the endless possibilities that digital twins might bring to the aviation and infrastructure industries and anticipates the possible impacts of digitalisation on the workforce.

Join us on this journey of exploration and discovery as we navigate the complexities and opportunities of our evolving world.

Youtube: The Power of Data – How Digital Twins are Revolutionising Airports | WSP Anticipate Podcast

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Key Takeaways

Digital Twins Are Powered by Data: A digital twin is a virtual representation of a real-world asset, process, or operation that relies on high-quality data to provide insights, predict outcomes, and support better decision-making throughout the asset lifecycle.
Digital Twins Extend Beyond Design into Operations: While often associated with physical assets, digital twins create value throughout planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance by improving visibility, transparency, and operational performance.
Digital Twins Improve Efficiency and Reduce Risk: By integrating project and operational data into a single platform, organizations can test scenarios, anticipate issues, optimize resources, improve cost control, and make more informed decisions before problems occur.
People Are Central to Digital Transformation: Successful digital twin implementation depends not only on technology, but also on workforce engagement, change management, and continuous upskilling to ensure people can effectively use data-driven tools and insights.
Digital Twins Enable More Predictive and Sustainable Infrastructure: By supporting “what-if,” “what-now,” and “what-next” analysis, digital twins help organizations improve operational performance, sustainability outcomes, customer experiences, and long-term infrastructure resilience.

Big Questions Answered

What is a digital twin and why is it important?

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical asset, system, or process that is continuously informed by real-world data. It enables organizations to monitor performance, predict outcomes, test scenarios, and make better decisions throughout the lifecycle of an asset.

How can digital twins improve airport operations?

Digital twins can help airports manage passenger flows, optimize resource allocation, improve maintenance planning, track assets such as baggage and aircraft, and enhance the overall passenger experience while supporting sustainability objectives

Can digital twins improve infrastructure project delivery?

Yes. Digital twins provide greater visibility across the project lifecycle, enabling teams to manage risks, test decisions before implementation, improve quality control, optimize schedules and budgets, and increase productivity.

Will digital twins replace jobs in engineering and construction?

No. While digital twins automate certain tasks and processes, they also create demand for new skills in areas such as data analytics, digital engineering, and technology management. Human expertise remains critical for interpreting insights and making strategic decisions.

What is the biggest challenge in adopting digital twins?

The greatest challenge is often people and organizational readiness rather than technology. Successful adoption requires clear business objectives, workforce engagement, effective change management, and the ability to integrate data from multiple systems into a trusted decision-making environment.