Heathrow Airport has launched Heathrow Explorer, a real-time geospatial mapping platform designed to manage more than 500,000 assets across the site.
The system, developed by Esri UK, replaces legacy software with a single, real-time view of infrastructure across the airport. It brings together previously siloed technical and operational data across almost 300 layers of information, and is initially available to up to 3,000 staff across engineering, operations, fire service, property, retail and third-party organisations including airlines.
The platform forms part of Heathrow’s Asset Management and Compliance Programme, which covers the renewal and maintenance of critical infrastructure including runways, terminals, security and baggage systems.
Gavin Payne, director of engineering and baggage at Heathrow Airport, said: “Location intelligence is becoming a core capability in how we achieve Heathrow’s asset management and operational goals. Our new Esri platform is making it easier for colleagues to access and use the information they need, improving everyday efficiency, supporting better decision-making and helping build a more resilient airport.”
Heathrow served almost 85 million passengers in 2025, its busiest year on record, and is connected to more than 230 destinations across over 80 countries.
The first application to go live under the new system was Winter Resilience, which gives airfield teams real-time updates on snow clearance and de-icing activity, replacing manual workflows that previously relied on printed maps. Airfield managers can now dispatch the nearest available clearance team and track progress on handheld devices.
A further application has been built for the fire service, mapping water assets including Heathrow’s 72 miles of fire mains, with live data on hydrant and water network availability accessible via mobile devices.
The system has also been extended to major contractors working on the airport’s asset management and compliance programme, and a separate tool has gone live to manage the airport’s noise and vortex compensation and repairs scheme for neighbouring properties.
Future developments are expected to include applications supporting the Heathrow Expansion Programme, along with the use of indoor GIS technology to improve terminal navigation for passengers and staff.
Pete Wilkinson, managing director at Esri UK, said: “Heathrow is demonstrating what next generation airport geospatial systems look like. By unifying spatial data to streamline workflows, the airport is creating a digital foundation that will fuel innovation for years to come and keep delivering a world class passenger experience.”
Heathrow Explorer was designed and developed by Esri UK’s professional services team, in partnership with Syprosoft, 1Spatial and GeoJobe, with geospatial data supplied by Ordnance Survey, BlueSky and LandClan.
Image credit: Heathrow Airport Limited
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