Airport Innovations: EV Charging, AI, and Border Automation
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands) has commissioned new electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support its expanding airside fleet of electric apron buses and ground service equipment. The installation was delivered by Kempower, a Finnish manufacturer of DC fast-charging systems, which deployed three charging sites in 2025 comprising 28 DC charging points with dynamic power allocation to support operational availability under grid constraints.
The system includes four control units and 12 double-armed satellite chargers using CCS2 standards, enabling compatibility across current and future ground vehicles as the airport progresses towards zero-emission ground operations by 2030.
London Heathrow Airport (United Kingdom) removed the 100 ml restriction on liquids in cabin baggage on 26 January 2026 following the completion of a GBP 1 billion (USD 1.27 billion) security screening upgrade across all terminals. Heathrow Airport Ltd, the operator of the airport, confirmed that next-generation CT scanners are now in operation at all passenger security checkpoints, allowing travellers to keep liquids and electronic devices inside their hand luggage during screening. Liquids may now be carried in containers of up to two litres.
The previous restriction, introduced in 2006, required liquids to be separated into containers of no more than 100 ml and placed in plastic bags. The new CT technology enables more detailed analysis of cabin baggage contents while maintaining existing security standards and is capable of processing several thousand passengers per hour.
The airport estimates that the removal of single-use liquid bags will reduce plastic consumption by approximately 16 million bags annually. Similar scanner installations have led other UK airports, including London Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh, to also lift the 100 ml liquid restriction, following earlier delays to the national rollout caused by technical issues during 2024.
Frankfurt Airport (Germany) has deployed automatic prohibited item detection software across its passenger security checkpoints to support the screening of carry-on luggage. The system, known as APIDS, uses artificial intelligence to assist security staff in assessing X-ray images by identifying items not permitted in cabin baggage, while final decisions remain with on-site security personnel.
The deployment follows certification requirements defined by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with the German Federal Police, enabling operational use of the software at the airport.
Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, confirmed on 22 January 2026 that APIDS is now in use across all terminals, covering more than 50 computed tomography scanners supplied by Smiths Detection, a manufacturer of security screening equipment.
Since taking responsibility for aviation security screening, Fraport has invested approximately EUR 50 million (USD 54 million) in new security lanes and CT-based screening technology.
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October 12 - 14, 2027 | Munich Trade Fair Centre, Germany
Qmatic has appointed eTermin as a solution partner in Germany on 27 January 2026 to support the delivery of digital queue and appointment management systems. Qmatic, a provider of customer journey and queue management software used across public and private sector environments, confirmed that eTermin will distribute and implement its technology for organisations seeking to manage customer flow, service efficiency and digital appointment scheduling.
The partnership focuses on organisations in Germany and covers the deployment of Qmatic’s software across physical service locations and digital channels. eTermin will provide local implementation and market support alongside Qmatic’s existing platform.
eTermin is a German provider of digital appointment scheduling systems, working with public authorities and private sector clients on service access and customer interaction management.
Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Spain) has become the first major international airport to operate all passenger boarding bridges remotely following the deployment of a new automation system. The airport has implemented TK Elevator’s MAX Automate technology across 129 jet bridges serving all five terminals, enabling centralised remote control of bridge movements without on-site gate operation.
The system allows bridges to be managed from three dedicated control rooms and includes remote operation, automated docking using stereo cameras and artificial intelligence, and hybrid manual–automatic functionality. The installation is intended to support more efficient aircraft turnarounds, reduce operational vehicle movements on the apron and improve safety by limiting manual intervention during docking procedures.
Newbow Aerospace, a UK-based manufacturer of ground support equipment, has opened a new production facility near its headquarters in the West Midlands (United Kingdom). The new fabrication unit covers approximately 372 m2 (4,000 sq ft) and is located close to the company’s existing twin-unit production facility. The additional site enables the company to double its manufacturing capacity for ground support equipment trailers and service carts, alongside the recruitment of additional welders and fabricators.
The expanded capacity supports confirmed orders for 2026, including a contract with Iberia for the initial production of 16 wheel and brake trailers, which will be deployed at airports across Spain to support the airline’s Airbus A350-900 fleet.
In the United Kingdom, Newbow has also been selected by British Airways’ line maintenance operation at London Gatwick Airport (England, United Kingdom) to supply trailers for Airbus A320 and Boeing 777 aircraft. A new general trading agreement has additionally been signed with Jet2, covering the supply, servicing and calibration of tyre inflation tooling and pressure gauges.
The new facility is fully operational and forms part of the company’s response to increased domestic and international demand for its ground support equipment products.
Bridgestone has begun a collaborative foreign object debris reduction programme with Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian Airports at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Ethiopia) to improve airside safety and operational efficiency. The initiative focuses on identifying and mitigating FOD-related risks that had previously contributed to aircraft tyre damage and flight disruption at the airport. Measures include hazard mapping, data-led patrol support, targeted debris collection processes and staff awareness activities, drawing on Bridgestone’s aircraft tyre inspection and FOD analysis expertise.
Following implementation, the frequency of FOD-related tyre incidents has fallen significantly, supporting improved on-time performance and enhanced safety, while also encouraging greater use of retreaded tyres to extend tyre life and improve environmental and economic performance.
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Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (Peru) has introduced a fully automated border control system in its new passenger terminal as part of the airport’s operational start-up in January 2026. The system was implemented in partnership with SITA, a global provider of air transport IT systems, following an international tender process conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The solution combines automated processing with conventional immigration controls to support passenger handling and border security operations.
The installation includes 19 automated border control eGates, 21 self-service kiosks, central management consoles and an integrated monitoring platform. A new mobile application has also been introduced to allow travellers to complete immigration declarations before arrival, with the aim of reducing processing times at the airport.
The automated border control system is operated by Peru’s National Superintendency of Migrations and forms part of the digital infrastructure of the new terminal at Jorge Chávez International Airport.
Fiji Airports, the state-owned company operating the country’s international and domestic airports, has partnered with CG TECH, an Australian digital transformation consultancy, to implement a corporate digital transformation programme. The programme is intended to modernise business systems across finance, human resources, asset management, project management and safety management functions.
It forms part of Fiji Airports’ long-term strategic planning and focuses on replacing paper-based processes and manual data entry with integrated digital systems.
The initial phase has commenced and includes discovery activities, stakeholder engagement, current-state assessment and definition of system requirements.
This stage will inform a future-state operating model and a roadmap to support procurement and implementation planning.
The programme includes an organisation-wide review of existing systems and business processes, with emphasis on improving information exchange between corporate platforms and operational functions.
CG TECH will also support the establishment of governance structures, decision-making processes and delivery stage gates for risk management.
The long-term scope includes strengthening data analytics capability and preparing systems to support future use of artificial intelligence through structured and connected data environments.
The programme also incorporates training and capability development to support staff adoption of new digital tools and working practices.
Huawei, a global information and communications technology company, presented new smart aviation solutions during a global aviation session held at HUAWEI CONNECT 2025. Airport-focused applications formed a central part of the announcements. Shenzhen Airport Group, the operator of Shenzhen Airport (Guangdong, China), outlined the deployment of locally hosted AI models using Huawei’s Ascend computing platform. These are being applied to airport customer service, safety assistance and contract management systems, with reported efficiency improvements of more than 60% in selected internal processes.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, the operator of Malaysia’s national airport network, described its use of Huawei’s digital platforms, network infrastructure and 5G technology to support long-term Airport 4.0 development. The programme focuses on digital transformation, system integration and the introduction of intelligent airport applications.
Aibee (Beijing) Intelligence Science and Technology, an artificial intelligence company, confirmed cooperation with Huawei on a smart airport solution built on the Ascend AI platform. The system supports passenger flow management, flight support data collection and runway intrusion prevention through spatial intelligence.
Publisher’s note: The articles in this special report, compiled for inter airport Europe, are a few select samples from the biweekly Momberger Airport Information newsletter, published since 1973. The newsletter is an advertising-free, global airport news service that consists of 9 modules and allows subscribers to customize their own newsletter package. The modules that make up the biweekly newsletter are: Airport Development (DEV), Calendar of Events (CAL), and the subscriber-selectable modules Airport Operations (OPS), Management, Ownership & Finance (MGT), Ground Support Equipment (GSE), Air Traffic Services (ATC), Consultant & Contractor / Sustainable Aviation (CON), Airport Information Technology (AIT), and Maintenance Base & FBO (MRO). For more information, a sample of a complete newsletter issue, and to order an annual subscription, please visit www.mombergerairport.info.
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