A major step forward in Auracast adoption has been launched in Germany, with Frankfurt Airport becoming the first in the world to share gate announcements via the Bluetooth LE Audio system.
The launch, on Wednesday, January 28, is a milestone moment of a programme designed to bring the assistive listening technology to one of the busiest airports in Europe.
The challenges of sound in an airport
Airports are places where a lot happens at once: brightly lit shops, refreshment kiosks, airport vehicles, and a lot of people in one space, making it a difficult environment to hear. Add crackly public address system announcements that are hard to decipher, and you have an environment many people dread.
Miss that gate announcement and you could miss your flight. That could be a costly error.
And it’s not just hearing that the gate has opened that can be a strain. Priority queues for boarding, first class over economy and even the last calls can all add to the stress and anxiety.
What has Frankfurt Airport installed?
Two gates, A16 and A17, in Terminal 1 have been equipped with Auracast transmitters. These broadcast gate announcements in a range of languages and, as with all good Auracast installations, are available to passengers who wear hearing aids and Cochlear devices, as well as those with Auracast-enabled headphones and hearing aids.
The Auracast technology is integrated into Sittig’s PAXModular IP paging stations for live and automated announcements. This is already in use at all gates in Frankfurt Airport. So if the trial is extended, it is easy to add it to the rest of the airport.
This helps support a ‘silent airport’ concept, which could reduce the number of loudspeaker announcements and instead see them switched to the user’s own devices. While airports will never stop being noisy places, they will take a step closer to being more of an oasis of calm.
Over the next two months, travellers and staff will be asked to give their feedback, and those responses will help shape the future of Auracast at airport gates not just in Frankfurt, but across the globe.
The project is being led by Sitting Technologies, with Fraport and the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. Funding comes from the German state of Hesse’s Distr@l project, which supports innovative digital projects and collaboration between research and industry.
The launch has also been supported by Samsung, Google, Bluetooth, and GN.
What Frankfurt Airport says about its Auracast installation
“As the airport operator, we want our passengers to have a comfortable and relaxing stay at our terminals,” says Alexander Laukenmann, senior executive vice president of aviation at Fraport AG.
“By bringing clear, personalised announcements directly into passengers’ own hearing devices, we are offering another attractive service to our customers while at the same time taking an important step towards a more inclusive airport.”
Johannes Sittig, the CEO of Sittig Technologies in the US, is also delighted to be launching Auracast in Frankfurt, saying it will fundamentally change how airport announcements work.
“We are proud to collaborate with Frankfurt Airport as a first mover, guided by a clear vision for a more inclusive, passenger- centric travel experience,” he said.
“Together we are transforming automated and manual gate announcements into a direct, personal audio service delivered straight to passengers’ own devices. By integrating Auracast into our PAXGuide announcement platform, we are redefining airport communication without requiring airports to replace their existing infrastructure.”
GN and Samsung are also pleased to support the Frankfurt Airport installation
“Frankfurt Airport is setting a new standard for inclusive travel, and we are proud that GN can help make that possible,” says Peter Justesen, president of GN’s hearing division.
“As the first company to introduce Auracast into hearing aids, we are now bringing this innovation to travellers, giving passengers with hearing loss clearer access to gate information and a smoother, more confident journey.
“Our hope is that this pilot will inspire many more airports to embrace the next era of connected and accessible travel.”
This view is echoed by JM Choi, corporate vice president and head of connectivity R&D, Mobile eXperience Business for Samsung Electronics. He said the company has been proud to support Frankfurt Airport’s vision for a quieter, more accessible travel experience that benefits all passengers, not just those with hearing loss.
“Our industry-leading connectivity technology ensures a seamless, robust connection even in high-density airport environments, while significantly improving battery efficiency.
“By integrating Auracast across our devices, Samsung delivers a complete end-to-end experience, enhancing accessibility and confidence for travellers.”
What next?
The trial runs until the end of March, and if deemed successful, will roll out to other gates.
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