CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
Cutting Biosecurity Data Processing Times by 50% with FME
A major international airport in New Zealand, automated manual reporting processes to speed up biosecurity operations.
50% less manual processing
of biosecurity data
GIS time cut by 97%
300+ → <10 hours annually
Reports published within hours
of field capture
Improved data integrity and stakeholder confidence
FME delivered the most efficient solution—by a long shot. It’s released us from highly manual processes, given us cleaner data, and built confidence in the accuracy of our reporting.”
– Michael Prior
GIS Manager, Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport is New Zealand’s largest international gateway, handling more than 18 million passengers and processing over 70% of all international arrivals and departures. It’s also the country’s primary freight hub, moving 92% of New Zealand’s air cargo by weight.
As an international transport hub with strict national biosecurity requirements, the airport must carefully manage risks of invasive pests and diseases. Exotic mosquitos, which can carry diseases of public health concern, are a particular focus. By automating its mosquito inspection reporting with FME and Esri, Auckland Airport cut manual processing in half, reduced GIS processing time from 300+ to under 10 hours annually, and improved both accuracy and stakeholder confidence.
The Challenge:
Manual, Time-Consuming Biosecurity Reporting
New Zealand has some of the world’s strictest biosecurity measures. For Auckland Airport, responsible for the safe movement of millions of people and goods each year, managing risks such as invasive mosquitos is critical to protecting public health and trade.
But the mosquito inspection process was slow and heavily manual. Field data was captured inconsistently, GIS staff spent hundreds of hours cleaning and processing records, and reporting delays made it difficult to respond quickly or analyze long-term patterns.
The Solution:
Automating Inspections with FME and Esri
Partnering with Locus, Auckland Airport deployed an integrated solution combining Esri field tools with automated FME workflows. Inspectors now capture location and survey data in the field using mobile GIS apps. That data is automatically transformed, validated, and published by FME, generating standardized reports and maps for stakeholders in near real time.
FME also archives the results, ensuring high-quality, auditable records without additional manual effort.
The Results:
Faster, Smarter Biosecurity Monitoring
The new workflow delivered measurable operational gains:
- 50% reduction in manual data processing
- GIS processing cut from 300+ to <10 hours annually
- Reports and maps delivered within hours, not days
- Enriched datasets for trend analysis and better decision-making
- Improved data integrity and stakeholder satisfaction
FME delivered the most efficient solution—by a long shot. It’s released us from highly manual processes, given us cleaner data, and built confidence in the accuracy of our reporting.”
– Michael Prior
GIS Manager, Auckland Airport
Why it Matters
Airports globally face mounting pressures around safety, security and efficiency. Auckland Airport’s approach demonstrates how automation can transform even the most manual, compliance-heavy processes into streamlined digital workflows. By reducing effort while improving accuracy and speed, the airport is better equipped to manage biosecurity risks, safeguard public health and support the smooth movement of millions of passengers and goods each year.
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