Global Airports Embrace Smarter, Greener Infrastructure in 2025

Cardiff Airport (United Kingdom) has launched a major runway rehabilitation project, its first significant airfield upgrade since 2003–2004. The works include full resurfacing of the main runway, installation of new paved surfaces near the runway and taxiways, and replacement of legacy electrical systems. UK-based airfield lighting specialist atg airports is leading the airfield ground lighting upgrade, replacing outdated halogen fixtures with its FX range of LED fittings manufactured in Warrington.

The LED system is designed to reduce energy consumption, extend service life, and minimise maintenance costs, contributing to Cardiff Airport’s sustainability goals. Electrical cabling will be fully replaced, and the lighting will be integrated into the airport’s control systems to improve operational efficiency and safety.

The project is intended to enhance aircraft manoeuvrability, support larger aircraft, and ensure the airport remains resilient amid future traffic growth.  

AGATI Furniture, a US-based manufacturer of public space furnishings, has launched a new airport terminal seating system called Departures Seating, designed to improve passenger comfort and spatial efficiency at boarding gates. Unlike traditional linear rows, the new system features angled seating that avoids direct face-to-face alignment, offering greater privacy and a more relaxed waiting experience. The modular design accommodates varied gate layouts and includes integrated power outlets and stone-top tables to support digital device use.

Engineered for high-volume environments, the system also prioritises durability and easy maintenance—key concerns for modern airports aiming to enhance passenger well-being and operational flow without compromising capacity.

AGATI will showcase Departures Seating at the 97th Annual American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Conference in Atlanta from 8 to 10 June 2025. Founded in 1981, the company provides high-performance furniture for airports, libraries, universities, and other public venues.  

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad has received a new automated people mover system from Alstom for Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Selangor, Malaysia), with passenger service set to begin on 1 July 2025. Alstom, a French multinational specialising in sustainable mobility solutions, delivered three Innovia APM R trainsets to KLIA, along with the Urbalis Flo signalling system, an upgraded communications-based train control (CBTC) technology previously known as CityFlo 650. The system supports fully automated operations and allows faster, safer, and more efficient driverless travel, optimising passenger throughput.

Each train can carry up to 270 passengers per trip and is equipped with condition monitoring systems to detect and prevent technical faults. Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Agency conducted testing between January and June 2025 to certify the system before service launch.

The Innovia APM R vehicles are designed for energy efficiency and passenger comfort, featuring smart climate control, regenerative braking, centralised control systems, wider doorways, and accessibility enhancements. Alstom led the replacement project in coordination with the IJMC-Pestech joint venture, which managed local construction and systems integration.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (Virginia, United States) has taken delivery of three new Striker Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicles to strengthen emergency response at Washington Dulles and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports. The vehicles, supplied by Oshkosh Airport Products, include three Striker 6x6 units equipped with advanced fire suppression technology. One vehicle is fitted with a Snozzle® High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET), while all units feature a 3,000-gallon water tank, 440-gallon foam capacity, 550 pounds of dry chemical, and a 670 HP Scania V8 engine. Additional features include independent suspension, in-cab medical storage, and 360-degree camera systems.

These new assets form part of MWAA’s long-term commitment to safety, operational resilience, and infrastructure enhancement across its high-traffic airport network. Combined, Washington Dulles and Reagan National served over 53 million passengers in 2024. The new vehicles will be fully integrated into the Airports Authority's emergency response protocols following specialised training and support from Oshkosh’s technical team.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Texas, United States) has added a hybrid-electric aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle to its emergency response fleet, advancing safety and environmental goals while reducing response times. The 45-metric-ton Striker Volterra, built with hybrid drive technology, can accelerate from 0 to 80 kilometres per hour in under 21 seconds, 40% faster than the airport’s diesel vehicles. In electric mode, it produces zero emissions during station entry and standby, reducing fuel use, noise, and firefighters’ exposure to exhaust fumes.

DFW plans to expand its hybrid ARFF fleet with five additional Volterra vehicles by late summer, supporting its transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam and aligning with industry efforts to eliminate PFAS chemicals. The airport is also modernising its ARFF stations with upgraded charging infrastructure to support the new hybrid vehicles and future operational needs.  

Liberty Defense, a US-based security technology company specialising in threat detection, has received a multi-unit order for its HEXWAVE screening system from a growing international airport in the United States. The order will support the airport’s compliance with a US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandate requiring 100 per cent employee screening at all major airports by April 2026. HEXWAVE was selected through a competitive tender process and is designed to detect both metallic and non-metallic threats using millimetre wave technology, 3D imaging, and artificial intelligence.

The system enables high-throughput, walk-through screening and can identify a range of concealed items, including liquid explosives and 3D-printed firearms. The units were procured via Liberty’s distribution partner, Point Security Inc., a prominent US supplier of security screening solutions. The specific airport was not named.

Inform has launched GS TeamWork, a mobile-first task management tool designed to streamline ground operations at airports by enhancing staff coordination, real-time communication, and disruption response. Part of Inform’s GroundStar software suite, GS TeamWork gives frontline managers a live overview of flights, personnel deployment, capacity use, and break scheduling. The web app supports operations both on the apron and inside terminals, including gate services and aircraft loading. By replacing manual spreadsheets and paper-based planning, the platform allows supervisors to assign and adjust tasks efficiently via mobile devices.

In cases of disruption, the system provides data-driven recommendations for reallocation, while employees receive instant updates, reducing miscommunication and improving responsiveness. Inform’s Michael Reinkober said the tool empowers local managers to make better real-time decisions, while central allocation teams can focus on optimising staffing across departments.

With faster decision-making, proactive mitigation of delays, and improved staff visibility, GS TeamWork is expected to reduce operational inefficiencies and improve reliability in passenger services and ramp operations at major airports.

Lufthansa, BigBear.ai, and HID have each advanced digital transformation in aviation through new biometric technologies and app-based services aimed at improving the passenger experience. Lufthansa Group has enhanced its award-winning mobile app with expanded digital features, including passport scanning, ESTA verification at online check-in, and entry requirement guidance. Travellers with a digital Travel ID can receive personalised updates and access services like lounge information, e-journals, and digital menus. The app supports a seamless journey from booking through boarding, with a focus on comfort and real-time information.

BigBear.ai, through its subsidiary Pangiam, has now deployed its Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) biometric solution across 12 airports and ports in North America. The AI-powered system streamlines identity verification for U.S. citizens at international arrivals points, with installations at major facilities including JFK, LAX, DFW, and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

Meanwhile, HID’s BG100 Speedgate, a biometric e-gate featuring facial recognition and modular integration, has won a Red Dot Design Award. The gate combines HID’s Facepod and document reader technology with smart interface features to automate airport checkpoints, including boarding and immigration, with aesthetic and functional flexibility tailored to airport operations.