Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport chose FAAC to upgrade its Schengen Arrivals area, increasing the number of one-way corridors from three to four and introducing a more advanced solution in terms of security, passenger flow management and passenger experience.
At an airport, even a seemingly simple exit route plays a fundamental role: guiding passengers quickly towards the public area while preventing any movement in the opposite direction.
With this objective in mind, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport launched a project to upgrade the One-Way Corridors in its Schengen Arrivals Hall, choosing the FAAC solution to replace the previously installed systems.
The challenge: upgrading the infrastructure and increasing capacity
The original configuration consisted of three previous-generation one-way corridors, approximately 1,200 mm wide and 3,000 mm long. In addition to the need to modernise the infrastructure, the existing systems could, under certain circumstances, present challenges in managing reverse passenger flows.
The project therefore provided an opportunity to completely rethink the configuration of the area.
One of the objectives was to optimise the dimensions of the corridors, making them narrower and longer than the previous units in line with the airport’s operational requirements. Reducing the width from 1,200 to 900 mm and increasing the length from 3,000 to 4,000 mm were primarily security-driven decisions: a narrower and longer passage makes it more difficult for people to move against the intended direction of travel, helping improve control over access and passenger movement.
This configuration also made it possible to optimise the available space and increase the number of corridors from three to four.
The decision is also consistent with the airport’s growth: an additional lane helps distribute departing passenger flows more effectively and makes movement towards baggage reclaim smoother and more efficient.
The FAAC solution: security and technology designed around passengers
Following an assessment of potential suppliers, Bologna Airport identified FAAC One-Way Corridors as the solution best suited to its requirements.
The system is designed to allow passage in one direction only, helping prevent unauthorised passengers or goods from moving back towards the airport’s secure area.
The new installation combines this security function with a transit management system designed to be immediately intuitive for passengers.
A new-generation sensing system with stereo cameras monitors the corridor, while integrated LED indicators visually guide passengers as they move through it. A green light clearly indicates that the passage is available; in the event of an alarm or when a corridor is unavailable — for example during maintenance or cleaning operations — the light changes colour.
This simple, immediate visual communication reduces uncertainty and helps passengers identify the correct route.
A design developed for airport environments
Technology was not the only factor behind the choice.
One of the distinctive features of the FAAC solution is its stainless-steel structure, designed to provide robustness and durability in an environment characterised by high passenger volumes and continuous use.
This is complemented by a contemporary design in which the illuminated indicators are fully integrated into the structure. The result is a technological solution that blends naturally with the terminal architecture without compromising functionality.
The modular construction of the One-Way Corridors also provides a high degree of customisation, with configurations reaching up to 4 metres in length, compared with the 3 metres of the previous solution.
Four corridors to support the airport’s growth
Increasing the number of units from three to four is one of the key aspects of the project.
By optimising the footprint of each corridor, it was possible to create an additional lane within the available space, increasing the capacity of the area and enhancing security without compromising functionality.
For passengers, this means a smoother journey towards baggage reclaim. For the airport, it means having an infrastructure that is better aligned with evolving passenger volumes and operational requirements.
As highlighted by Kristian Bacca, Maintenance Analyst at Bologna Airport, in addition to security considerations, adding a fourth unit to the previous configuration also responds directly to the airport’s growth and the need to allow passengers to move through the area comfortably, reducing the risk of queues and disruption.
Installation completed in time for the 2026 summer peak
In an airport environment, project timing is also a fundamental requirement.
FAAC met the agreed schedule for supply, installation and commissioning, enabling Bologna Airport to have all four new corridors fully operational ahead of the busiest period of the summer season.
The airport’s proximity to FAAC headquarters in Zola Predosa also represents an additional advantage in terms of technical support and after-sales service, allowing rapid intervention whenever required.
The result: safer, smoother and more intuitive access
With the four new One-Way Corridors, Bologna Airport now has a solution that combines reverse-flow control, increased passenger capacity, structural durability and intuitive communication with passengers.
The project demonstrates how even a seemingly simple element of the airport journey can contribute to the overall efficiency of a terminal: protecting secure areas, facilitating passenger movement and adapting to the airport’s continued growth.
4 One-Way Corridors. One shared objective: making the journey safer and smoother, right through to the final passage.
