Airport Innovations: Technologies & Projects Reshaping the Industry

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has begun construction of a new USD 3.5 billion automated people mover at Newark Liberty International Airport (New Jersey, United States). The 2.5-mile AirTrain Newark will replace the 1996-built system, which is now over capacity and no longer suited to the airport’s growth. Designed to handle 50,000 passengers per day, up from the current 33,000, the new system will offer faster, more reliable connections between terminals, parking, rail links and the recently opened Terminal A, eliminating the existing 15-minute walk between the AirTrain and terminal.

PANYNJ awarded contracts to Doppelmayr for system design and operations, Stantec for a 70,000-ft² maintenance and control centre, and Tutor Perini/O&G for the guideway and three new stations. The AirTrain forms a central part of the agency’s EWR Vision Plan to redevelop Newark Liberty with modern terminals and ground transport infrastructure.

The current AirTrain will remain operational during most of the 28-month construction period, with limited outages outside peak travel times. The new system is scheduled to enter service in 2030, alongside ongoing projects such as a new Terminal B and an upgraded airport rail station connecting to Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. #1253.GSE1

Fraport Greece, a subsidiary of German airport operator Fraport AG, which manages 14 regional airports in Greece, has expanded its firefighting fleet with 17 new vehicles.

Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” (Central Macedonia, Greece) has received a Rosenbauer Panther 6X6, the first of its kind to be deployed at a Fraport Greece–managed airport. The airport has also taken delivery of two Rosenbauer Buffalo 6X6 vehicles, which will additionally be distributed to 11 other airports under the company’s management.

In total, 16 Rosenbauer Buffalo 6X6 vehicles and one Panther 6X6 have been introduced. The Buffalo vehicles, equipped with dual cabins, protective gear and specialised rescue equipment, are designed for demanding operating conditions and will support both airport emergencies and incident response on site.

With this addition, the firefighting fleet across Fraport Greece airports now totals 61 vehicles. The company stated that the expansion is part of a broader strategic plan that also includes staff training, drills and simulations, aiming to strengthen operational capacity and safety standards across its airports.

COBUS Industries (Germany) marked the production of its 5,000th airport apron bus on 1 October 2025 with the delivery of a fully electric e.COBUS 2700S ER to British Airways.

The milestone vehicle was handed over at the CaetanoBus plant in Gaia, Portugal, and is part of an order for 38 right-hand drive COBUS buses for operations at London Heathrow Airport (England, United Kingdom). The order includes 23 fully electric vehicles and 15 running on hydrotreated vegetable oil.

The e.COBUS 2700S ER, designed for Heathrow’s high-traffic apron environment, carries up to 77 passengers and features dual-side doors, compact dimensions and a small turning radius.

The delivery strengthened a long-standing partnership between COBUS and British Airways, which is investing in low-emission ground transport as part of its wider sustainability programme.

Shire, the aviation brand of Belgian engineering firm M-ECS (Mertens Electrification & Control Systems), has launched its first range of purpose-built electric ground support tractors for baggage and cargo operations.

Unveiled on 7 October 2025, the new vehicles are designed to reduce emissions from ground handling, which account for an estimated 25–30% of airport-related emissions. The tractors feature options such as real-time monitoring of energy use and performance, predictive diagnostics to prevent failures, and modular upgrades, including a collision detection and avoidance system currently in development.

Sales director Gerd van Damme said the equipment was engineered to balance operational durability with economic practicality. Shire plans to expand its electric ground support equipment range to other vehicle families, adapting future models to customer requirements.

SITA, a global provider of air transport IT and communications solutions, has launched an upgraded fibre-based connectivity platform called SITA PON, developed in partnership with Tellabs, a US networking technology company. The new passive optical network (PON) system offers next-generation infrastructure designed for airports, airlines, and ground handlers, delivering high-speed, scalable and secure connectivity to support mission-critical operations, smart airport services, and IoT applications.

By replacing traditional copper cabling with centralised fibre networks, SITA PON reduces maintenance costs and extends coverage up to 20 km without intermediate equipment, making it suitable for remote areas such as hangars, engineering zones and storage facilities.

SITA said the solution future-proofs airport networks to handle the increasing demands of data-intensive systems, enhancing reliability and sustainability while preparing for the next generation of digital airport infrastructure.

Smiths Detection (United Kingdom) has launched the SDX 10080 SCT, a new modular system for hold baggage and air cargo screening that combines dual-energy computed tomography (CT) with an optional high-resolution dual-view line scanner. Developed on the company’s Explosives Detection System (EDS) platform, the unit was designed by Smiths Detection’s Centres of Excellence in Germany and the United States to meet current ECAC Standard 3.2 and TSA 7.3 regulations, while remaining adaptable to forthcoming ECAC 4.0 and TSA 9.0 standards.

The system retains the physical dimensions of previous Smiths Detection scanners, enabling direct replacement without terminal modification. With a tunnel size of 107 × 81 cm and a conveyor speed of 0.5 m/s, it can process over 1,800 items per hour. Air-based cooling and a bearing-free gantry are intended to reduce maintenance and energy use.

The SDX 10080 SCT is fully compatible with Smiths Detection’s ELECTORA and iCMORE digital platforms, supporting centralised management of security operations. The company said the model offers airports and cargo operators an efficient, sustainable solution for compliance and future regulatory readiness.

inter airport Europe 2025 (Munich, Bavaria, Germany – 7 to 9 October 2025) showcased a broad range of next-generation airport technologies and digital systems, highlighting advances in automation, energy efficiency, and sustainability across the aviation sector.

TK Elevator (Germany) demonstrated the world’s first large-scale remote operation of passenger boarding bridges (PBBs). Its MAX Automate system controlled a live PBB located in northern Spain from over 1,700 km away, marking a major milestone in airport digitalisation. The platform integrates artificial intelligence and automation to centralise PBB operations, enhance safety, reduce apron emissions, and improve turnaround times. TK Elevator also presented its Apron Vision advanced docking guidance system, designed to interface with digital turnaround tools for improved efficiency and safety performance.

ADB SAFEGATE (Belgium) unveiled AI: Airside Intelligence, an integrated digital platform combining IoT, machine learning, and predictive analytics for airside operations. The system enables predictive maintenance that can cut downtime by up to 30%, AI-assisted safety features for docking and foreign object detection, and real-time apron management to reduce delays and fuel burn. The solution forms part of the company’s Airside 4.0® ecosystem, which unifies airfield lighting, tower automation, power management, and data-driven maintenance into one operational framework to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Smiths Detection (United Kingdom) introduced its SDX 10080 SCT baggage screening system, combining dual-energy computed tomography (CT) with a modular design for high-volume airports. Capable of screening over 1,800 bags per hour through a 100 x 80 cm tunnel, the system uses air-based cooling to reduce energy use and features 3D and optional 2D imaging. Built on the firm’s Explosive Detection System (EDS) platform, it is engineered for future regulatory standards and evolving security requirements.

ITW GSE (Denmark) presented its EcoGate concept — a unified platform integrating ground power units (GPUs), pre-conditioned air units (PCAs), and electric chargers to streamline energy management across airport aprons. Demonstrated alongside the 2400 Compact GPU, DC Charger, 3500 Air Coil, and Power Share device, EcoGate supports full ground support electrification, optimising energy distribution and reducing operational complexity while cutting emissions.

AEME GSE (Italy) launched the ECOTUG 90 mobile ground power unit, powered by an LFP battery system to deliver clean 400Hz electric power for aircraft without using fuel-based auxiliary units. The system includes advanced thermal and battery management with integrated fire protection. AEME also displayed its M45D Motorised Cable Reel, offering 45 metres of flexible double-drum cabling for remote power supply applications.

AviaSafe (United Kingdom) debuted its AVI-BCN Rotating Beacon, a modular lighting system engineered to withstand winds up to 160 km/h, with optional photocell-based automation for day–night control. The company also showcased its IN-AP Unidirectional Inset Approach and Wing Bar Light, expanding its portfolio of energy-efficient airfield lighting solutions.

Aerofuel International (Italy) introduced a complete range of fuel management and refuelling control panels designed for safety and operational precision at fuel farms. New systems included the Refuelling Control Panel with onboard overfill protection and Vega T2 metering, a Fuelling Control Panel with deadman controls and acoustic signalling, a QC Control Panel for automated fuel testing, and a Purgue Control Panel for system maintenance. The company also unveiled its Fuel Farm Monitoring and Control SCADA interface, providing real-time digital oversight of storage and distribution operations.

Across the three-day exhibition, exhibitors emphasised a shared focus on digital integration, automation, electrification, and sustainability. From remotely operated boarding bridges and AI-driven airside systems to electric ground support and intelligent refuelling technologies, inter airport Europe 2025 underscored a clear industry shift toward connected, low-emission, and data-centric airport infrastructure.  

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.

Looking for something else?