Airport Technology & Innovation: Advancing Efficiency & Passenger Experience

Keflavík International Airport (Iceland), Icelandair and Canadian digital mapping company Mappedin have formed a partnership to deliver integrated passenger, operational and commercial solutions. The collaboration will use Mappedin’s platform to unify navigation, operations and commercial services, replacing fragmented systems with real-time, centralised information. Features include dynamic updates on tenant and gate details, route and security wait times, as well as parking and shuttle information. Multi-language support covering more than 40 languages, including Icelandic, is also included, alongside compliance with international accessibility standards.

The system will provide continuous updates, app deployment and a sole-source mapping platform, with data insights on passenger flow, space use and engagement trends. Initially launched on web and mobile, the solutions will later be available on in-airport kiosks.

Airport officials said the aim is to improve passenger experience, support operational efficiency and increase commercial growth, while Mappedin described the platform as a centralised hub that combines seamless journeys with stronger business outcomes.  

Brigade Electronics (United Kingdom) has launched a new suite of AI-powered safety systems for airport ground support equipment, designed to reduce costly ground damage incidents. The company introduced its HFR HD Backeye 360 system, which gives operators 360-degree HD visibility and integrates Human Feature Recognition to detect pedestrians in blind spots. Additional split-screen cameras mounted on the sides provide clear wing views, while an upward-facing final approach camera supports safe manoeuvring near fuselage sections and under wings. Operators can toggle between camera views as needed.

The technology directly addresses common airport risks such as fuselage skin damage, structural impairment, engine ingestion hazards and crew injuries. According to the International Air Transport Association, ground damage costs could reach USD 10 billion (EUR 9.26 billion) annually by 2035, but enhanced GSE safety systems are expected to cut these costs by as much as 42%.

Founded in 1976, Brigade pioneered Europe’s first reversing alarm and now supplies airports worldwide with AI-enhanced cameras, sensors, alarms and telematics-ready safety equipment.

Liège Airport (Wallonia, Belgium), one of Europe’s busiest air freight hubs, has signed a 15-year agreement with UK-based i6 Group to digitise fuel operations across the airport.

The partnership will introduce i6’s integrated aviation fuel management platform, covering the full fuelling lifecycle from tank farm oversight and automated reconciliation to paperless into-plane fuelling, real-time resource tracking and auditable event data. The system is designed to provide 24/7 operational visibility for airlines, cargo operators and fuel suppliers while reducing manual workload, fuel wastage and carbon emissions.

Christian Delcourt, head of communications at Liège Airport, said digitising fuel operations supports the airport’s long-term strategy for resilience and sustainability. Handling more than one million tonnes of freight annually, the airport has been expanding its digital infrastructure to strengthen its role in global logistics.

Founded in 2013, i6 Group supplies digital fuel management systems to over 200 airports worldwide. Chief executive Steve Uhrmacher described the partnership as an opportunity to deliver impact at global scale through enhanced efficiency and sustainability at a major cargo hub.

Embross, a Canadian passenger self-service technology provider, has launched its Evolution platform in North America, offering modular systems for multiple stages of the passenger journey. The Evolution Series includes three models: EVO-1 for full check-in and bag tagging, EVO-Mini for compact spaces, and EVO-Gate for biometric-enabled boarding and lounge access. Together, they aim to reduce operational costs, accelerate deployment and improve passenger processing efficiency.

The systems are built with modular construction, biometric readiness and integrated analytics, allowing easy upgrades, extended hardware lifespan and reduced environmental impact. Embross said the platform enables operators to scale capacity, integrate new technologies and use real-time data for operational decisions.

Beyond aviation, the company expects the Evolution platform to have applications in retail, financial services and hospitality, where secure, high-throughput self-service solutions are required.

iProov, a London-based biometric verification company, has deployed its on-the-move biometric solution at Orlando International Airport (Florida, United States), marking its first launch at a US airport. Introduced in May 2025 as part of Customs and Border Protection’s Enhanced Passenger Processing programme, the system has reduced wait times by 65%, processing passengers in under three seconds with a throughput of 14 travellers per minute per channel and a 99%+ first-attempt success rate.

The technology, designed to meet the operational and regulatory requirements of US airports, integrates with existing CBP systems to automate passenger verification. By reducing reliance on manual checks, it allows staff to focus on higher-priority tasks while maintaining security standards.

iProov said the deployment comes as US airports prepare for major upcoming events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which will place pressure on international arrivals capacity. The system is engineered for continuous 24/7 use, functions reliably under varied conditions, and uses commercially available hardware for faster installation and lower maintenance costs.

Beonic, an Australian airport technology company, has partnered with Queenstown Airport (Otago, New Zealand) to introduce AI-powered LiDAR systems across five departure areas.

The technology will provide real-time insights into passenger flows, queue performance and wait times, helping the airport manage congestion, allocate staff more effectively and improve service standards during peak periods. Key areas covered include check-in, security and customs.

Beonic’s system uses LiDAR to create a 3D model of the terminal, generating privacy-compliant analytics without recording personal data. Metrics such as queue occupancy, throughput and wait times will allow the airport to respond dynamically to fluctuating passenger volumes.

Queenstown Airport said the initiative reflects its focus on smart technology to enhance the departure experience, while Beonic noted that the deployment will help staff make proactive decisions to support smoother passenger journeys.

SITA, a global IT provider for air transport, has launched SITA Connect Fly, a managed connectivity service designed to modernise airline passenger handling systems worldwide. The service uses Versa’s Secure Access Service Edge technology to connect departure control and passenger-facing systems such as check-in kiosks through secure software-defined networking. SITA said this will simplify operations, improve resilience, and cut the time needed to open new stations from months to weeks. Passengers are expected to benefit from shorter queues, faster boarding, and stronger data protection.

SITA Connect Fly builds on the company’s existing Community Connect DCS platform, already supporting check-in and boarding at more than 400 locations globally. The new service integrates with SITA’s common-use and SITA Flex systems, while offering cloud-native flexibility to operate over ISP, MPLS, or 4G/5G connections.

Based in Geneva, SITA provides technology to more than 1,000 airports, nearly 20,000 aircraft, and over 70 governments. It handles almost half of the aviation industry’s data exchange and is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050.

Nadi International Airport (Fiji) will undergo a major baggage handling system upgrade after Fiji Airports awarded the contract to Alstef Group. The FJD 26 million (USD 11.5 million) investment includes FJD 8.1 million (USD 3.6 million) for Alstef to supply and install new conveyor systems. The project, one of the airport’s largest operational upgrades, responds to projected passenger growth from 2.9 million in 2024 to 5.7 million by 2033 and 8 million by 2048.

The upgrade will deliver dual check-in conveyors to improve throughput, a new outbound screening line with ECAC Standard 3 hold baggage screening machines, a large make-up carousel to boost capacity, and automatic bag drops in partnership with Collins Aerospace.

The phased replacement of all screening machines will use equipment meeting both European and U.S. standards, with the first unit scheduled to arrive in Fiji before the end of 2025.

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?