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Frankfurt Airport is setting new standards in facility maintenance with Tennant’s robotic cleaning machines
July 17, 2025 2:42 AM by Tennant Company
Posted in Staffing & Personnel, Productivity, Robotic Cleaning Machines, Cleaning Challenges,
At Frankfurt Airport, cleanliness is more than cosmetic. With over 61 million passengers a year and an area of 2,300 hectares, keeping Terminal 1 spotless is a relentless, round-the-clock operation. And for Fraport Facility Services GmbH, the company responsible for that task, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Main cleaning challenges at the airport include:
- Expansive terminal areas: Terminal 1 alone covers over 500,000 square meters, equivalent to 70 football fields with polished natural stone floors that require frequent, thorough cleaning.
High passenger traffic: Cleaning must be carried out seamlessly and safely in a highly dynamic environment, without disrupting airport operations.
Labor constraints: Recruiting and retaining skilled cleaning staff remains an industry-wide challenge.
Sustainability targets: Reducing water and chemical consumption is a high priority for Fraport.
“We’ve tested various robotic cleaning solutions over the years, but all had limitations in flexibility, usability or technical support. Tennant’s T16AMR impressed us with its versatility and how seamlessly it fit into our workflows.”
—Mathias Dudek, Managing Director of Fraport Facility Services
After extensive trials, Fraport selected two autonomous scrubber models—T16AMR for large, high-traffic areas, and our most compact robot, the X4 ROVR for tighter, congested spaces. Both are powered by BrainOS® and its field-tested, vision-based technology built to handle complex, dynamic environments like airports.
“Fraport’s decision to choose Tennant’s robotic cleaning solutions, powered by Brain Corp’s advanced AI, was based on key priorities: best-in-class cleaning performance, comprehensive support, high safety standards, and strict data security protocols. These elements are critical in an airport environment.”
—Michel Spruijt, President, Brain Corp International
Benefits of robotic cleaning machines in airports:
Empowering the workforce
Rather than replacing staff, the autonomous cleaning robots have reshaped how teams work—freeing up people to focus on high-value tasks like deep cleaning and sanitisation. And what’s more, the transition was smoother than expected.
“One of our night shift employees, who initially had no robotics background, is now acting as an informal trainer—helping colleagues understand the technology and make the most of it.”
— Felix Hofferberth, Project Lead at Fraport.
Enhancing passengers’ experience
Frankfurt Airport passengers, who had the opportunity of seeing Tennant AMRs at work, have responded positively to the presence of autonomous cleaners, with many engaging directly with the technology. In fact, passengers frequently take photos of the robots, children enjoy watching them and often wave too. Tennant’s autonomous machines are already a recognizable part of the airport’s daily operations, leaving a positive impression and enhancing the airport experience.
Performance you can measure
In the first six months, Tennant’s robotic cleaning machines cleaned more than 1,6 million square meters, all without interrupting foot traffic or flight schedules. Cleaning is now consistent, repeatable, and verifiable; no matter who’s on shift.
“The ability to document every route and schedule cleaning cycle with digital logs is invaluable in an environment like ours,”
Hofferberth added.
Supporting a sustainable and compliant vision
With sustainability high on the agenda, Tennant’s ec-H2O NanoClean® technology—which delivers detergent-free cleaning and reduces water use—was another key differentiator. Add to that EU-compliant data privacy protocols and robust technical support, and the solution offered more than just a clean floor. As Mr. Dudek put it,
“Autonomous cleaning is the future. Based on our positive experience so far, we’re actively working to integrate even more robotic solutions into airport operations.”
A model for smarter facility services
For facility services teams across EMEA, the Fraport story offers a glimpse of what’s possible: a model where automation and people work in harmony, cleaning quality is consistent and provable, and technology enables—not replaces—teams.
Tennant’s robotic floor cleaning machines didn’t just pass the test at one of Europe’s busiest airports—they’re now shaping the future of large-scale cleaning.
Interested in what robotic cleaning could look like for your team?
Contact your local Tennant representative to learn more or request a demo.
Download the full PDF and jump into this inspiring success story!
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