A digital map runs the airport. It monitors infrastructure, security and surrounding development.
26.10.2026 | Reading time: 8 minutes
The safe movement of aircraft, passengers, and employees relies on extensive infrastructure, thousands of technical assets, protected zones, security systems, and precise regulations governing what can change within the airport grounds and surrounding areas. Questions arise every day: Where do utility networks run? Which areas are protected? Where are security features, roads, and technical installations located? What lies underground, and what is above it? Can a new building be constructed in a particular location?
All this information comes together in a geographic information system (GIS). It is more than a digital map or a standard mapping application; it is a digital ecosystem that connects thousands of spatial data points with the airport’s day-to-day operations. At Václav Havel Airport Prague, this role is now fulfilled by the new LetGIS solution, modernized by Unicorn Systems HSI s.r.o.
When a Traditional Map Is No Longer Enough
Before the modernization, Prague Airport relied on an older GIS platform based on Autodesk technologies. The platform was approaching the end of its lifecycle, official support had been discontinued, and the system was struggling to keep pace with the growing volume of data, increasing number of users, and demand for integration with other systems. The modernization involved migrating LetGIS to Esri’s ArcGIS platform.
“For an ordinary passenger, very little changes at first glance. Aircraft continue to arrive and depart as usual. Behind the scenes, however, the airport has gained a modern digital foundation that makes spatial data accessible to up to 2,700 employees, enables faster access to information, and supports advanced analysis, visualization, and modern fieldwork. The platform is also ready for further development,” says Jan Langr, Project Manager at Unicorn.
Unicorn was involved throughout the project, from architecture design and data migration to system integration, testing, and deployment. Its role went beyond delivering new technology or migrating data; it also involved integrating GIS into the airport’s real-world daily processes and operational needs.
How Does It Work in Practice?
LetGIS serves as a unified spatial platform for the entire airport, providing each employee with access to the information and tools they need. Technical teams can work with utility network and infrastructure data, security personnel can access information about restricted areas and camera systems, and teams responsible for construction can use the data required for planning and maintenance. Mobile tools are also available for collecting data directly in the field.
One practical example is the Pavement Management System module. When a defect is identified on an airport surface, it is entered into LetGIS through a mobile client. The defect is assessed for severity, may trigger an alert, and is then assigned to an internal or external team. The system supports the entire repair process through to completion.
This illustrates how LetGIS goes beyond simply providing a digital representation of reality. Operational information flows into the system, while decisions made using the digital model of the airport translate into specific tasks and interventions. This feedback loop between the physical airport and its digital representation gives LetGIS characteristics of a digital twin.
This is particularly important when planning new construction. It is not enough to know where a developer intends to build; the surrounding infrastructure, security requirements, and aviation restrictions must also be taken into account. The system therefore supports obstacle analysis and the assessment of how proposed buildings could affect airport operations.
LetGIS is integrated with other enterprise applications and external institutions, making GIS a single, consistent source of up-to-date information across the airport.
What Are the Results?
Václav Havel Airport Prague is the largest international airport in the Czech Republic and a major gateway to Central Europe. According to its full-year outlook for 2026, the airport offers connections to 195 destinations served by 85 airlines and expects to handle more than 18 million passengers. Prague Airport, a.s., employs more than 3,000 people.
“We operate an international airport serving millions of passengers every year. Every day, we need to coordinate thousands of assets, construction projects, security requirements, and operational decisions. Our GIS solution was no longer keeping pace with the scale and demands of the airport. That is why we decided on a fundamental modernization. Together with Unicorn, we have built a new digital foundation for managing our infrastructure. Today, we have a platform that reflects the importance and complexity of our airport,” says Roman Janeček, Head of Geodesy and Cartography at Prague Airport.
The modernization and continued development of LetGIS demonstrate how GIS can evolve from a mapping system into an active tool for operational management. The long-standing cooperation with Prague Airport and the experience gained through the development of LetGIS subsequently became a major source of inspiration for AeroSpan, Unicorn’s solution for other airports. AeroSpan builds on the original concept, connecting spatial information, data, processes, and people in a digital twin of the airport.
The digital twin concept can be applied not only to physical infrastructure and its operation but also to organizational processes and other aspects of how an organization functions. This broader approach underpins Unicorn Universe. In 2026, Unicorn was recognized as a Niche Player in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Twin of an Organization Platforms.
The interview is now available online on aktuálně.cz, where you can also read it.
