Europe’s Airports Go High-Tech: AI, Automation, and Smarter Ground Ops

GRASP Innovations has completed the deployment of a Smart Guidance System at the security checkpoint of Milano Linate Airport, aimed at improving passenger flow and reducing wait times. Developed in partnership with SEA Milan Airports, the system uses real-time data to autonomously direct travellers to the most efficient sub-queues and lanes. It combines automatic load-balancing, a call-forward system, and visual screens to optimise movement and reduce walking distances, resulting in more than a 10% increase in throughput.

The setup includes a central Queue Distribution Point, three Lane Allocation screens, and a Data Management Platform that provides airport staff with live KPIs, historical data, and automated alerts for proactive intervention.

The full deployment follows a successful six-month pilot and reflects a broader strategy by SEA and GRASP to enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience through smart technologies.

Chișinău International Airport, the main airport in Moldova, has selected UK-based atg airports to supply and commission a new airfield ground lighting (AGL) control and monitoring system. The upgrade aims to modernise the airport’s airfield infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and align with ICAO standards.

The system will offer real-time diagnostics, improved monitoring, and scalable functionality to support future growth. Installation is scheduled to begin later in 2025 with minimal disruption to airport operations. Once complete, the technology will strengthen safety, streamline maintenance, and improve visibility of ground operations.

The project reinforces atg airports’ growing presence in European airport infrastructure modernisation.

Bradley International Airport (Connecticut, United States) has received three new Striker Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles from Oshkosh Airport Products to strengthen emergency response capabilities. The delivery includes one 6x6 Striker unit with a Snozzle® High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET), one 4x4 Striker with a Snozzle HRET, and one 4x4 Striker with a roof turret. The vehicles were delivered in partnership with Firematic Supply Co. Inc., a regional distributor, and mark a significant investment in the airport’s operational resilience and safety infrastructure.

All three vehicles are equipped with Scania DC16/V8 670 HP Tier 4 Final engines and feature TAK-4 independent suspension systems to support high-speed, off-road performance. Enhanced safety features include 360-degree cameras, digital video recorders, exterior water and foam level lights, and fast-start buttons located outside the cabs.

The Striker 6x6 model is equipped with an 11,356-litre water tank, a 1,666-litre foam tank, and a 249-kilogram dry chemical capacity. It includes a low-attack bumper turret and in-cab emergency medical storage. The 4x4 Striker with Snozzle HRET includes a 5,678-litre water tank, an 833-litre foam tank, and a 249-kilogram dry chemical capacity, along with EMS storage. The 4x4 Striker with a roof turret carries the same fluid and chemical capacities, and includes digital monitoring systems and dual turret operation.

Bradley International Airport, which serves over 6.7 million passengers annually, coordinated the procurement process with Oshkosh engineers, Firematic Supply Co., and internal airport stakeholders. The vehicles were delivered on schedule and within budget.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Texas, United States) has signed an agreement with Copenhagen Optimization, a Danish airport technology company, to implement a cloud-based resource management system (RMS) beginning autumn 2025. The system will optimise operations across baggage handling, check-in, and gate management by integrating real-time data from multiple airport sources. Designed as a Software-as-a-Service platform, the RMS will support rapid replanning during disruptions, long-term capacity forecasting, and scenario modelling, while also enabling continuous updates without manual upgrades.

Copenhagen Optimization stated that the system’s accessibility and scalability are intended to enhance collaborative decision-making and operational efficiency at one of the world’s busiest airports. The firm is also rolling out similar technology at JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 in New York.

Tampa International Airport (Florida, United States) is deploying Aeva’s 4D LiDAR technology to enhance operational efficiency and security, in what is expected to become one of the largest airport LiDAR deployments in the country. Implemented by Sotereon.AI, the system uses FMCW-based 4D LiDAR sensors to provide real-time data across terminal and airside areas. Applications include passenger and tarmac monitoring, real-time traffic management, and detection of safety risks in restricted zones. Aeva’s technology captures both 3D position and instantaneous velocity using silicon photonics.

The Tampa installation follows earlier LiDAR deployments at major U.S. airports such as JFK. Aeva, based in California and valued at USD 1.4 billion, has also expanded partnerships in the automotive and aerospace sectors, including with Daimler Truck and Airbus UpNext.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai, China) has begun trial operations of the T30A autonomous baggage tractor, developed by Chinese technology firm UISEE, as part of efforts to modernise baggage handling amid rising passenger volumes. The AI-powered vehicle provides fully automated baggage transport across apron areas for arriving and departing flights. The project, developed in partnership with UISEE and Feeyo Technology, marks China’s first autonomous vehicle initiative fully integrated with a total airport management (TAM) system.

The T30A features Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, with systems for positioning, perception, control, and cloud-based coordination. It can operate continuously across designated routes, navigating indoor and outdoor environments such as aprons, cargo stations, and sorting halls, while performing obstacle avoidance, docking, and fleet coordination.

The integration with PVG’s TAM system allows the autonomous tractor to receive real-time task assignments based on flight schedules, optimising baggage logistics and improving turnaround efficiency. The airport, which handled 76.8 million passengers in 2024—a 41% increase over the previous year—has introduced the system to reduce operational delays, improve safety, and address the limitations of manual logistics.

Amadeus, through its subsidiary Vision-Box Australia, has extended its collaboration with the Australian Department of Home Affairs to continue supporting the Departure SmartGates programme at ten international airports across Australia. The multi-year agreement ensures the ongoing operation of biometric self-service systems critical to the Australian Border Force. As part of the extension, Amadeus will carry out a mid-life upgrade of the SmartGates infrastructure, incorporating its latest Visiontec Facial Recognition technology to improve traveller identification accuracy and efficiency.

The partnership, which began in 2015, supports Australia’s goal of maintaining secure and streamlined border processes through the use of advanced biometric platforms.