GPIXS joins GATE: Virtual Twins and Digital Twins for the airports of tomorrow

With GPIXS, GATE welcomes a company that specializes in immersive Virtual Twins and operational Digital Twins for airports. In this interview, Andreas Breitschaedel explains why GPIXS joined the network, what value the company brings to airports, and how digital twins can help make airport infrastructure smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Airports are among the most complex infrastructures in the world. Buildings, technical assets, security areas, passenger flows, retail and advertising spaces, construction projects, maintenance activities, ESG requirements, and regulatory compliance all have to be managed simultaneously. Yet the information needed to support these processes is often scattered across disconnected systems - CAD drawings, BIM models, CAFM platforms, GIS data, inspection reports, spreadsheets, photographs, and project documentation.

For Andreas Breitschaedel and the team at GPIXS, this complexity is exactly where Virtual Twins and Digital Twins can create real value. The company focuses exclusively on airports and develops highly accurate 3D environments that support both commercial and operational use cases - from marketing and passenger engagement to planning, facility management, and future airport development.

Andreas Breitschädel, Founder and CEO of GPIXS

As Andreas Breitschaedel explains, joining GATE – The Airport Technology Network was a logical next step for the company. “At GPIXS, we believe that innovation grows through collaboration. Joining GATE is a natural step for us because it brings together forward-thinking companies shaping the future of airports. We look forward to sharing our expertise in Virtual Twins and Digital Twins, learning from industry leaders, and contributing to smarter, more connected, and more sustainable airport ecosystems worldwide.”

Creating business value and operational intelligence

GPIXS specializes in creating high-precision Virtual Twins and Digital Twins for airports. According to Andreas Breitschaedel, these solutions are designed to serve both immediate commercial needs and long-term operational goals.

“Our Virtual Twins help airports market advertising spaces, retail areas, conference facilities, and real estate through immersive 3D experiences,” he says. “They also support wayfinding and passenger engagement.”

At the same time, GPIXS sees Digital Twins as far more than a visual representation of airport spaces. They are intended to become a practical platform for planning, documentation, facility management, and future airport development. With extensive experience in sensitive operational environments, the company delivers accurate indoor and outdoor 3D models that can be updated quickly as airports evolve.

What sets GPIXS apart, Andreas notes, is the company’s exclusive focus on airports and its ability to combine advanced 3D technology with a deep understanding of airport operations. “We create Virtual Twins that generate immediate business value for marketing, advertising, retail, and real estate, while our Digital Twins support planning and facility management throughout the airport lifecycle,” he says. “Having successfully delivered projects for airports across Europe, we know how to work safely and efficiently in highly regulated operational environments with minimal disruption.”

This combination of sector expertise and technical precision is reflected in the company’s own one-sentence description of its offering: “We transform airports into immersive Virtual Twins and intelligent Digital Twins that drive revenue, enhance passenger experiences, and enable smarter airport management.”

Contributing expertise to the GATE network.

Within the GATE network, GPIXS wants to contribute practical expertise gained from real airport projects. Andreas Breitschaedel emphasizes that the company brings hands-on experience in capturing and modeling complex airport environments - from terminals and landside areas to commercial spaces - without disrupting daily operations.

“Our expertise helps airports unlock new opportunities in marketing, advertising, passenger engagement, planning, and facility management,” he says. “We are committed to sharing best practices, collaborating with industry partners, and advancing the digital transformation of airports worldwide.”

This commitment also shapes how GPIXS wants to engage with the association. The company is interested in contributing workshops, presentations, and case studies that demonstrate the practical value of Virtual Twins and Digital Twins in airport environments. At the same time, GPIXS sees GATE as a platform for exchange and collaboration with other technology providers across the airport ecosystem.

Preparing airports for future challenges

Asked how GPIXS is responding to the challenges currently facing the airport industry, Andreas Breitschaedel points to the need for practical and scalable digital solutions.

“We are helping airports prepare for the future through Virtual Twins and Digital Twins that improve efficiency, support smarter planning, enhance passenger experiences, and unlock new commercial opportunities,” he explains. “Our focus is on delivering practical, scalable digital solutions that help airports adapt to an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven industry.”

Sustainability also plays an important role in the company’s culture. As Andreas puts it, the guiding principle at GPIXS is “Not in Problems, but in Solutions.” In practice, this means developing digital tools that help airports optimize existing infrastructure, reduce unnecessary travel, improve planning efficiency, and support smarter, more sustainable decision-making.

“We believe that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand,” he says.

Beyond airports: collaboration and cross-industry exchange

GPIXS also sees significant potential for collaboration within the GATE network. Its Virtual Twin and Digital Twin solutions can complement a wide range of airport technologies and services, opening up opportunities for integration with other members’ solutions.

“Whether for marketing, passenger experience, asset management, planning, or operational applications, we believe that partnerships and interoperability are key to driving innovation across the airport industry,” Andreas Breitschaedel says.

Beyond aviation, the company’s technology can also be applied to other large-scale infrastructures, including real estate, industrial facilities, exhibition venues, sports arenas, and public buildings. For GPIXS, this creates opportunities for cross-industry knowledge exchange - bringing best practices from one sector into another and opening up new perspectives for innovation in airport environments.

The company would also be pleased to contribute to the GATE community through presentations or workshops, sharing practical insights and real-world applications whenever there is interest.

From fragmented information to connected knowledge

For GPIXS, the next step in airport digitalization is not simply creating another 3D model, but establishing a Digital Twin as an operational decision platform.

By connecting existing data sources within a spatially referenced environment, airports can gain a single, intuitive view that supports facility management, asset management, refurbishment planning, construction progress monitoring, safety inspections, maintenance, reporting, and - looking ahead advanced simulations such as passenger flow optimization and capacity analysis.

As Andreas Breitschaedel summarizes, the vision behind GPIXS is clear: “We want to help airports transform fragmented information into connected knowledge - enabling better decisions, greater efficiency, and a more resilient future.”