25th Edition Innovation Awards

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

Airside 4.0® is a groundbreaking strategy that redefines airside operations by harmonizing complex processes through advanced digitalization. Unlike traditional systems that operate in silos, Airside 4.0® approach integrates IoT, AI, edge computing, and advanced analytics into a unified eco-system. This integration allows airports to shift from reactive, manual processes to proactive, automated operations.

Key differentiators include:

• Predictive Maintenance: Leveraging IoT-enabled devices like AXON EQ intelligent airfield lights to predict maintenance needs, reducing downtime and costs.
• Adaptive Automation: Systems like "Follow the Greens" optimize aircraft taxiing routes, reducing congestion, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions.
• Real-Time Data Insights: Cloud-based analytics transform raw data into actionable insights, enabling faster, more accurate decision-making.

This holistic approach makes Airside 4.0® not just an improvement but a leap forward in airside management, setting new benchmarks for efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the aviation industry.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience? Include measurable results where possible.

Airside 4.0® has delivered measurable improvements across key operational areas:

Operational Efficiency:

• Reduced downtime and faster maintenance responses through predictive analytics, cutting maintenance costs by up to 59%.
• Optimized use of infrastructure, ensuring better airside availability.

Sustainability:

• Reduced energy consumption by up to 51% through adaptive lighting systems.
• Lowered CO2 emissions via optimized taxiing routes and reduced aircraft idle times.

Safety:

• Enhanced situational awareness with AI-powered systems like Runway Incursion Alerting Systems (RIAS) to minimize risks during aircraft and ground operations.

Passenger Experience:

• Faster turnarounds and improved on-time performance lead to smoother travel experiences.

3. Does it tackle aviation challenges & redefine airport operations as a transformative innovation?

Yes, Airside 4.0® directly addresses critical challenges in aviation, including rising air traffic, workforce constraints, stricter sustainability targets, and safety requirements. It redefines airport operations by:

• Moving away from traditional, reactive systems to proactive, data-driven solutions.
• Harmonizing previously siloed processes such as docking, lighting, and taxiway management into a single, integrated platform.
• Using leapfrog technologies like IoT and AI to enable predictive maintenance, adaptive lighting, and "Follow the Greens" capabilities, which reduce congestion and environmental impact.

By enabling smarter, safer, and more sustainable airside operations, Airside 4.0® empowers airports to meet both present and future challenges, transforming how airports operate from touchdown to take-off.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Absolutely. Airside 4.0® is designed for scalability and adaptability, making it suitable for deployment across airports of all sizes and operational environments. The platform's modular architecture allows airports to implement solutions tailored to their specific needs, whether they are small regional hubs or large international airports.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

Airside 4.0® has transitioned from pilot programs to real-world applications, demonstrating its effectiveness in live airport environments. Early pilot programs were conducted to validate its capabilities.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

NACO's Runway Condition Reporting Tool - RCR Tool© , was developed using a combination of water depth modeling based on real-time weather data which is recognized by ICAO as the most accurate means of ensuring compliance with its Global Reporting Format on Runway Condition. The wider industry has also recognized the product's groundbreaking performance and selected it as finalist for Airport Council International 'Best available innovation at an airport' award at ACI Airports Innovate awards this coming November 2025.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

RCR-Tool© delivers real-time, precise insights, ensuring reliable data to help pilots make informed decisions on safe landing procedures, without an inspector having to physically inspect the runway. This prevents unwarranted runway-closures for inspections and consequential loss of throughput-capacity & earnings for the airport.

3. Does it tackle aviation challenges & redefine airport operations as a transformative innovation?

The fact that the water depth modeling based on real-time weather data is automated and recognized as the most accurate in even heavy downpours, has the RCR Tool© address two of the aviation industry's major challenges at the moment: 1) Increase of erratic heavy rainfall events due to Climate Change & 2) Global manpower crunch. Given the fact that these two challenges will continue to increase in intensity over the next few decades, makes this innovative product exact long-term influence and contribution to the aviation industry.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

RCR-Tool© has successfully been deployed at both small, medium and large hub airports across geographies and climate zones. One client testimony: 'Under difficult circumstances, NACO provided a solution with their RCR-Tool© that sets a benchmark for runway condition reporting under the GRF format. Today, we can act quickly in the face of changeable conditions, and report accurately resulting in increased runway safety for airport personnel, passengers, and aircrews.'

Onno De Jong, COO - Bonaire International Airport

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

In 2025 RCR-Tool© has truly matured beyond its initial pilot-phase to a real-world application that is currently in operation at hub airports like IGA and MUC, as well as small-to-medium airports across the Americas and Europe.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

Our solution introduces Spatial AI as a new way for airports to understand and manage passenger flows. Using 3D data from LiDAR sensors, it creates a real-time, anonymous digital twin of how people and vehicles move across the airport, from curb to gate. 

A unique strength of this approach is the ability to capture flows with great precision and consistency at scale (>50 000 pax simultaneously in specific Terminal), regardless of lighting or crowd density (>3 pax/m2), while protecting privacy by design, as no image or personal data is ever captured. 

Outsight’s Spatial Intelligence solution creates a Motional Digital Twin of the terminal, offering continuous actionable insights instead of fragmented snapshots of single checkpoints. This gives operators a clear and continuous view of bottlenecks and movement patterns and makes it possible to bring real-time 3D intelligence into daily airport operations at unprecedented scale.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

Airports using our technology report smoother flows and faster response times. Staff can see queues forming early and open lanes before passengers become frustrated. Managers can replay past events to understand what caused delays and adjust staffing or layouts accordingly. 

What makes the difference is that the system does not only capture what happens a single checkpoint. It gives a full view of the entire passenger journey: Authorized users can both Zoom in to a specific individual (anonymous ID tracking) and Zoom Out to understand aggregated KPIs based on the physical flow of people & vehicles. 

This broader picture reduces wasted time, improves resource allocation, and helps meet service-level targets. 

Also, because the system processes data efficiently on CPUs rather than energy-hungry GPUs, it also lowers the environmental footprint of advanced AI adoption at scale. 

For passengers, the impact is a calmer, more predictable journey and a safer environment. By optimizing flows c

3. Does it tackle aviation challenges & redefine airport operations as a transformative innovation?

Yes. Airports face increasing passenger volumes, higher service-level expectations, and pressure to operate more sustainably. Our technology helps on all three fronts. It tackles congestion by showing bottlenecks before they grow. 

It redefines how airports plan and manage operations by turning reactive firefighting into proactive action. 

And it makes AI adoption compatible with privacy and energy goals. This is not just another tool; it represents a shift in how airports can operate: data-driven, sustainable, and more respectful of passengers. 

Privacy concerns are also reshaping technology choices, and our non-intrusive approach fits that new reality.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes. The platform is already in use at international airports on four continents, which shows that it can adapt to different layouts and regulatory contexts. 

It is LiDAR-vendor agnostic and works with all relevant manufacturers and models. Airports and partners can also connect to it through our APIs, so the insights can be added to existing dashboards and workflows.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

It is a real-world application. The technology is live today in operational airports and actively supports teams in their daily work. 

This is not a prototype or a limited trial, it is proven at scale and continues to expand worldwide.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

The Safedock X Advanced Visual Docking Guidance System (A-VDGS) is groundbreaking in its integration of advanced radar technology, setting it apart from traditional docking systems that rely solely on lidar or cameras. This innovation overcomes the limitations of low-reflectivity surfaces, adverse weather conditions, and visibility challenges, ensuring comprehensive object detection and uninterrupted operations. By combining real-time radar monitoring with optimized lidar usage, Safedock X delivers enhanced safety, improved equipment longevity, shorter turnarounds and reduced environmental impact. Its ability to autonomously handle docking events, even under challenging conditions, makes it a transformative leap in apron operations and a cornerstone of sustainable airport evolution.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

The Safedock X has demonstrated remarkable improvements across operational, efficiency, and environmental metrics, as evidenced during a three-month trial at a major airport:

• Operational Efficiency: Reduced docking disruptions by 50%, with radar filtering out over 200 disturbances per unit during the trial. This minimizes aircraft idle times, on time performance and gate availability during peak hours.

• Autonomy & Efficiency: Only a few % of docking events required human intervention, reflecting a significant improvement in autonomous handling and reducing reliance on ground staff.

• Sustainability: By reducing lidar runtime by 1,200 hours per unit annually, Safedock X extends equipment lifespan by 60% over 10 years, minimizing electronic waste and maintenance needs. Additionally, streamlined docking processes reduce aircraft fuel consumption and emissions.

• Passenger Experience: Faster turnarounds and improved gate efficiency translate to fewer delays.

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

Safedock X directly addresses and resolves critical aviation challenges, redefining airport operations:

• Weather & Visibility Resilience: Traditional systems fail in low visibility or adverse weather; Safedock X’s radar technology ensures reliability under all conditions, mitigating risks and preventing operational disruptions.

• Safety Redefined: Comprehensive object detection, even for low-reflectivity surfaces and unsolid objects, eliminates blind spots and enhances safety for both aircraft and ground personnel.

• Sustainability Focus: With reduced equipment wear-and-tear and lower emissions, Safedock X supports airports’ environmental stewardship goals.

• Transformative Docking Efficiency: By autonomously managing the absolute majority of docking events and effectively filtering out nonsolid objects, the system ensures higher operational availability and minimizes disruptions, setting a new industry benchmark for docking systems.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Absolutely. The Safedock X is designed to be universally adaptable to airports of all sizes and geographies:

• Scalability: Its modular design allows for seamless integration into existing airport infrastructure.

• Global Compatibility: The system is optimized for diverse operational conditions, from snow-covered aprons in northern climates to high-traffic hubs in warmer regions and everything in between.

• Future-Proof: Built to align with the aviation industry’s shift toward automation and sustainability, Safedock X is a long-term solution that can evolve alongside technological advancements.

• Ease of Deployment: Its radar-based technology minimizes the need for additional sensors or backup systems, reducing both installation complexity and operational costs.

• Backwards compatibility: The Safedock X is compatible with old infrastructure and systems and can even be mixed with older docking systems.

Safedock X’s versatile capabilities make it an industry-wide solution.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

A real-world application. It has been successfully deployed across multiple countries, including Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Qatar, Sweden, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United Kingdom. It is available in production with standard lead times.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

i6 has redefined ground fueling operations for leading global operators including Menzies Aviation, British Airways, Shell/Topaz, and American Airlines. By replacing outdated paper tickets and manual dispatching with fully digital, real-time workflows, our solutions set a new benchmark for efficiency, safety, and sustainability on the ramp.

Our core platforms—Fusion6 for into-plane management and eHandshake® for paperless pilot–refueler interaction—integrate live flight data, vehicle telemetry, and automated task allocation into one seamless workflow. This “digital thread” ensures that every fueling operation is precise, traceable, and optimised. Unlike legacy systems, i6 connects airlines, ground handlers, and fuel suppliers in a single ecosystem, deli

What sets our solution apart is its ability to provide a single digital thread across all stakeholders—airlines, ground handlers, and into-plane providers—delivering unprecedented visibility, accuracy, and sustainability on the ramp.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

The world’s biggest airlines and ground service providers are already seeing measurable impact from i6 technology.

At Manchester, North Air (part of the Menzies Aviation group) achieved a 92% reduction in fueling delays by deploying Fusion6 and eHandshake®, improving on-time performance and safety for crews and passengers.

At Heathrow, American Airlines eliminated all fuel-related delays by using Perspective6 to gain full visibility of multiple fuel providers and proactively manage turnarounds.

British Airways has reduced over-fueling by an average of 65kg per flight, saving up to 201kg CO₂ per flight through eHandshake®, directly improving sustainability performance.

In Ireland, Shell/Topaz’s Fingal Aviation digitised operations at Dublin and Cork, reducing paperwork, enhancing resource allocation, and modernising crew workflows.

These results show how i6 improves safety and efficiency for ground teams, reduces emissions for airlines, and delivers a more reliable experience for

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

i6 is helping global operators like American Airlines, British Airways, Menzies, and Shell/Topaz tackle the challenges shaping the future of aviation.

On-Time Performance: By automating dispatch and reconciliation, i6 eliminates apron delays, a critical need for airlines like American Airlines and ground handlers such as Menzies Aviation.

Workforce Pressures: In high-turnover environments, Fusion6’s intuitive workflows reduce training demands and error rates, enabling companies like Fingal Aviation to improve safety and consistency.

Sustainability Goals: With British Airways and others, i6 is cutting fuel wastage and emissions while producing verifiable data that supports compliance with ICAO, IATA, and CORSIA requirements.

Futureproofing Operations: i6 technology supports Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) management and integrates seamlessly with airport systems, ensuring operators such as Shell/Topaz are ready for long-term decarbonisation.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes — i6 solutions are already trusted by leading global brands across more than 200 airports worldwide. From Menzies Aviation’s into-plane operations, to British Airways’ sustainability programmes, to American Airlines’ ground handling visibility, and Shell/Topaz’s regional deployments, our technology has proven its value across airlines, suppliers, and service providers alike.

The platform is fully compatible with existing airport systems (ERP, FIDS, GSAP) and can be scaled from a single-airport operation to a global network rollout. This flexibility makes i6 not only deployable across the industry but capable of becoming the new digital standard for ground support operations.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

This is not a pilot — it is a proven, real-world solution at scale. Our platforms are embedded in daily operations at global hubs and regional airports across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.

American Airlines now relies on i6 at Heathrow to remove fuel delays entirely.

British Airways uses eHandshake® to deliver measurable CO₂ savings.

Menzies Aviation and its subsidiary North Air have transformed their into-plane operations with Fusion6.

Shell/Topaz (Fingal Aviation) has modernised fueling operations across multiple Irish airports.

These deployments demonstrate not just adoption, but long-term reliance on i6 technology by some of the industry’s biggest players — proving its impact, scalability, and readiness to set a new benchmark for ground support innovation.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

MAX Automate is the first system in the airport industry to enable full remote operation and centralized monitoring of Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBBs). It transforms traditional apron operations by replacing manual, on-site control with a digital, centralized interface. This innovation allows operators to manage multiple bridges from a single location, improving coordination, safety, and scalability. MAX Automate is not just a product, it represents a paradigm shift in how airports approach turnaround management and airside efficiency.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

MAX Automate has significantly improved operational efficiency by reducing turnaround times and minimizing human error. In Madrid-Barajas Airport, where the system is fully deployed, remote operation has led to a 72% increase of the operator's capacity based on the average number of operations executed by an operator in a certain day in MAD Airport (comparing manual vs remote operation). The centralized control also reduces the need for staff movement across the apron, contributing to lower emissions and improved safety. By ensuring faster and more reliable aircraft boarding, MAX Automate indirectly enhances the passenger experience through reduced delays and smoother gate operations.

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

Airports face increasing pressure to optimize resources, improve safety, and adapt to fluctuating traffic volumes. MAX Automate addresses these challenges by enabling scalable, remote operations that reduce dependency on physical presence and manual processes. It supports workforce flexibility, enhances situational awareness, and prepares airports for future integration with smart systems and predictive analytics. As air traffic grows and staffing becomes more complex, MAX Automate offers a resilient and future-ready solution.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes. MAX Automate is designed to be compatible with a wide range of PBB models and airport infrastructures. It has already been successfully tested in airports across Europe, North America and Asia. Its modular architecture allows for easy integration with existing systems such as A-VDGS, FIDS, and BHS, making it suitable for both new installations and retrofit projects. The system is scalable and adaptable to airports of all sizes.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

MAX Automate is a real-world application with proven results. It has moved beyond the pilot phase and is currently in full operation at several international airports. Madrid-Barajas Airport is the first in the world to operate all its PBBs remotely using MAX Automate, demonstrating the system’s reliability, scalability and impact in live airport environments.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

Fuel sampling is a daily occurrence on jet fuel systems across the world in aviation. The method of testing this jet fuel is a trained human and using the human eye, which can be subjective depending on experience and/or ambient conditions as well as the human factor. The FuelSCAN Analyzer is the only product that can provide accurate sampling results without any subjectivity on the output, a clear 'yes' or 'no' report. Through the use of a camera and AI, the sample is the 'human eye' checking for particles and discoloration of the fuel historically performed by a trained person.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

It has improved operations and efficiency by automating the sampling process and providing reports automatically, without the need for human intervention, providing a safer fuel sample before entering the aircraft.

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

As the world moves towards more automation, it's future proofing the fuelling systems, which have not innovated for over 40 years. The FuelSCAN Analyzer is the latest technology in fuel sampling, providing reliable and accurate sampling results through automation.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes, it is designed in accordance with the international requirements for sampling jet fuel.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

A real world application.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

The Hybrid solution for light monitoring is unique in cutting down the infrastructure budget allocation, increasing safety and capacity with real time optic fiber data and alarm communication.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

The optic fiber hybrid solution does not just enter in the domain of light control, but also in runway incursion prevention: keeps the highest possible airport capacity in Low Visibility Procedures and during traffic peaks, with safety always at the first place. 0,7 seconds to control or monitor lights on more than 2.500 lights is far beyond regulation requirements and gives the idea of the efficiency the airport can reach. Our hashtag will be #muchmore with a movie production launched for Interairport: there is 'much more' behind a passenger experience: a whole aviation industry and synergic efforts to make a flight definitely more than simply a means of transport!

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

It will be fundamental to support airports in managing visual aids at the highest performance, considering the EASA recent direction toward the continuous use of stop bars, so as not to compromise efficiency on the ground and airport profits.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes, the concept is an infrastructure and engineering enhancement that will turn the deployment into actually a reduction of disruption on the field for installation and maintenance.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

The hybrid solution is a real-world application born from our experience and understanding of the importance in limiting the construction site impact on operations. The applicability is the highest possible considering: AGL compatibility and already separate circuits for monitored Visual Aids such as stop bars.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

S4GA’s Solar CAT I Airfield Ground Lighting is the world’s first high-intensity airfield lighting system for CAT I airports that is fully powered by solar energy and fully compliant with ICAO requirements.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

Among many benefits, three stand out for airports: the system is off-grid, making it ideal for remote locations; it requires minimal maintenance, which is crucial for airports with limited technical staff; and because it runs entirely on solar power, it fully supports airports’ sustainability goals and aligns with local green regulations.

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

One of today’s global challenges is increasing vulnerability — from power blackouts to cyberattacks, regional conflicts, and physical attacks on airports. Solar CAT I is designed to withstand these risks in two key ways.

First, its decentralized power supply makes it completely independent from external power failures, as each light has its own power source.

Second, it features fail-safe wireless control, meaning communication between lights and the tower does not rely on CCRs and cables. This removes the risk of losing control due to damaged electrical infrastructure, which is a major weakness of conventional systems.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes. Solar CAT I Airfield Ground Lighting can be used at civil and military airports of any size. It can operate as a standalone system where no infrastructure exists or be seamlessly integrated into existing airfield lighting networks.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

Both. The solar AGL technology itself is already proven in real-world use, with hundreds of airports worldwide operating on it. What’s new is the Solar CAT I configuration — introducing this proven solar technology into the CAT I airport segment for the first time.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

Fuel sampling is a daily occurrence on jet fuel systems across the world in aviation. The method of testing this jet fuel is a trained human and using the human eye, which can be subjective depending on experience and/or ambient conditions as well as the human factor. The FuelSCAN Analyzer is the only product that can provide accurate sampling results without any subjectivity on the output, a clear 'yes' or 'no' report. Through the use of a camera and AI, the sample is the 'human eye' checking for particles and discoloration of the fuel historically performed by a trained person.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

N/A

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

As the world moves towards more automation, it's future proofing the fuelling systems, which have not innovated for over 40 years. The FuelSCAN Analyzer is the latest technology in fuel sampling, providing reliable and accurate sampling results through automation.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes, it is designed in accordance with the international requirements for sampling jet fuel.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

A real world application.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

Bag Check-AI, the morphological analyzer of baggages, introduces predictable Artificial Intelligence into the core of the automated Baggage Handling System (BHS). Unlike conventional vision tools, it is not just an add-on but a fully integrated component that interacts with PLCs, operator interfaces, diagnostics, and maintenance systems. This ensures consistent, reliable, and scalable conveyability assessment, protecting both infrastructure and passenger property. The uniqueness lies in moving from “AI as a support” to AI as critical automation, with uniform results across all sites and 24/7 continuous operation.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

The system reduces sorting times and maintenance costs by automatically preventing unsuitable baggage from entering standard systems. It minimizes baggage damage, directly improving passenger satisfaction and trust. By providing detailed statistics, diagnostics, and configurable thresholds, it enables better operational decisions and reduces downtime. Its consistency across deployments improves resource efficiency, while 24/7 operation ensures sustainable performance with lower energy and lifecycle costs compared to manual checks or less efficient solutions.

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

Airports face increasing pressure to process more baggage faster, more reliably, and with fewer resources. Our solution directly addresses these challenges by enabling automation of a critical yet previously manual or inconsistent process: conveyability assessment. It improves reliability, scalability, and compliance while reducing damage and costs. Looking ahead, the system’s adaptability and configurability allow it to support future baggage types, stricter operational standards, and evolving passenger expectations, making it a long-term, future-proof solution.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes. The solution is designed for scalability and integration across different airports and BHS architectures. It can be configured to local requirements while ensuring uniform, predictable performance worldwide. Its modular design, easy expandability, and upgrade capabilities make it applicable to both new installations and retrofits. This ensures airports of different sizes can adopt it without disrupting ongoing operations, enabling industry-wide benefits.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

The system has been developed for real-world airport environments. It has been engineered with full consideration of operational integration: PLC connectivity, operator feedback, configuration parameters, diagnostics, maintenance interface, and continuous logging. Rigorous testing ensures reliability under real conditions, making it not a laboratory prototype or pilot, but a deployable, operations-ready solution that meets the high standards of critical airport automation.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

The Face2Fly system is an advanced biometric solution designed to simplify the passenger travel experience. It works very simply: passengers register their biometric data before departure using their smartphone or one of the kiosks at the entrance to the airport. After completing the registration, it will no longer be necessary to use a passport or boarding pass. Facial biometrics will be used to validate every step of the journey: check-in, baggage drop-off, security check, boarding and access to VIP lounges.

The Face2Fly system can be integrated with Border Control processes for greater operational efficiency. The Mobile App allows the easy and intuitive creation of the passenger’s digital identity through an enrolment process and the association of one or more boarding passes. Alternatively, the passenger can use the Welcome Kiosk at the entrance to the airport. The passenger is in control of their data thanks to a validated digital wallet that stores digital travel credentials.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

• Modern, fast and safe registration and boarding process;
• Smooth and completely touchless experience
• User friendly and intuitive devices
• Reduction of queues, waiting times and dangerous situations
• Reduction of manual operations
• Guaranteed data protection
• Increased quality of services

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

Face2Fly addresses key challenges in the aviation sector by streamlining passenger flow, reducing wait times, and improving operational efficiency through facial biometric automation. It enhances security via integration with Border Control systems, while offering a seamless, contactless passenger experience. The solution supports digital transformation and is fully compliant with data privacy regulations, giving travelers full control over their digital identity. Face2Fly is adaptable, scalable, and designed to meet both current and future needs of airports and aviation stakeholders.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

YES

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

Yes, the system is currently being tested at two major Italian airports: Bergamo Orio al Serio - Milan and Catania Fontanarossa.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

ADB SAFEGATE’s sustainability-driven solutions—such as Airside 4.0®, AXON High-Intensity Elevated Lighting, and Safedock A-VDGS—stand out for their innovative approach to reducing aviation’s environmental impact. These solutions combine cutting-edge technologies like IoT, AI, and modular design principles to address some of the industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

What makes them groundbreaking:

• Energy Savings: The AXON lighting series achieves up to 80% energy savings compared to halogen systems and 30% savings over traditional LEDs, setting a new benchmark for energy efficiency.
• CO₂ Reduction: Safedock A-VDGS significantly reduces aircraft idle times, cutting fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by thousands of tons annually.
• Circular Economy Design: AXON products are modular and upgradable, minimizing waste and extending product lifecycles.
• Proactive Maintenance: PAPI Connect introduces IoT-enabled predictive maintenance, reducing unnecessary trips and operational emissions.

These solutions not only address sustainability goals but also improve operational efficiency, demonstrating that environmental innovation can deliver both ecological and economic benefits.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience? Include measurable results where possible.

Our sustainability-focused solutions deliver measurable improvements in multiple areas:

Operational Efficiency:

• Safedock A-VDGS automates docking and apron management, reducing turnaround times and improving apron safety. This ensures smoother operations and faster passenger processing.

Environmental Impact:

• AXON Lighting Systems reduce energy consumption by up to 80%, resulting in significant cost savings and lower CO₂ emissions.
• In a single test case, Safedock A-VDGS reduced 2,389 tons of CO₂ emissions annually and saved 756 tons of fuel, demonstrating its potential for large-scale environmental impact.
• PAPI Connect minimizes on-site maintenance visits, reducing emissions from maintenance vehicles.

Passenger Experience:

• Smoother and faster aircraft turnarounds lead to improved punctuality and a better experience for travelers.

These measurable results showcase how ADB SAFEGATE is addressing the triple bottom line of sustainability: environmental, operational, and customer-focused improvements.

3. Does it tackle aviation challenges & redefine airport operations as a transformative innovation?

Yes, our solutions directly address major sustainability challenges in aviation while redefining airport operations:

• Energy and Emissions: Airports are energy-intensive, and their operations generate significant emissions. The AXON lighting system and Safedock A-VDGS reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, helping airports meet aggressive sustainability targets like carbon neutrality.
• Operational Efficiency: Airports face increasing traffic while working to reduce their environmental footprint. Our Airside 4.0® platform integrates IoT, AI, and cloud analytics, optimizing airside processes to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Infrastructure Longevity: By applying circular economy principles, solutions like AXON lighting extend the lifecycle of airport infrastructure, reducing resource consumption and waste.

These innovations empower airports to transition to smarter, greener operations, demonstrating how transformative technology can address both immediate and long-term sustainability goals.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Absolutely. ADB SAFEGATE’s sustainability solutions are designed for scalability and adaptability, making them suitable for airports of all sizes and operational contexts:

• AXON Lighting Systems: Modular and upgradable, these systems can be implemented at both small regional airports and large international hubs.
• Safedock A-VDGS: This solution has already been deployed at major airports worldwide, proving its adaptability to diverse operational needs.
• PAPI Connect: Compatible with existing infrastructure, PAPI Connect simplifies the adoption of proactive, data-driven maintenance, reducing barriers to implementation.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

Our solutions have been implemented in real-world applications, delivering tangible results.

These implementations highlight the scalability and effectiveness of our solutions in addressing real-world sustainability challenges.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

The DHM 090 integrates advanced battery design, solid-state technology, and high-efficiency fuel cells to deliver reliable 400 Hz and 28 VDC power. Hydrogen is converted into electricity through an electrochemical process, with water as the only byproduct, ensuring zero emissions.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

With the DHM 090, we offer an emission-free, highly efficient solution that can be quickly and easily refueled even at remote stands. The high energy storage capacity of the H-GPU allows for 7-9 turnarounds a day over 2-3 days before refueling is required

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

With our solution, we want to contribute to a better and greener aviation industry for everyone.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

With the DHM 090, we are leading the transformation of airport operations towards a zero-emission future, actively contributing to a more sustainable aviation industry.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

This is a real device that is currently undergoing testing.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

S4GA’s Solar CAT I Airfield Lighting System is the first-ever ICAO-compliant CAT I airfield lighting system fully powered by solar energy. It eliminates the need for underground cables, CCRs, and power substations — the most energy- and material-intensive components of conventional systems. This innovation provides high-intensity lighting with virtually zero operational emissions.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

Solar CAT I delivers up to 40% lower CAPEX by eliminating trenching, cabling, CCRs, and power substations, and up to 80% lower OPEX thanks to zero electricity consumption, no fuel use, no CCR overhauls, and no cable testing. It also removes unplanned downtime costs entirely: no emergency repairs, no runway outages, and proactive issue detection via ALCMS. If we make rough estimations, a Solar CAT I AGL system can save an airport up to €2.8 million after 15 years of operation (based on a 3000 m runway with a single-ended CAT I approach, 2× PAPI, and a small taxiway). This drastically cuts environmental impact while ensuring predictable, long-term operation with minimal maintenance.

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

The system enables airports to reach sustainability targets without compromising safety. Its decentralized solar design removes dependence on fossil-fuel-based grids, while its ultra-low maintenance requirements reduce the need for technical staff. This makes Solar CAT I especially valuable for airports facing staff shortages, rising energy costs, and strict environmental regulations.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes. Solar CAT I is designed for global scalability. It can operate as a standalone system at remote airports or integrate seamlessly into existing airfield lighting networks at busy hubs. Its modular design and ICAO compliance make it ready for adoption across civil and military airports worldwide.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

Both. The solar AGL technology itself is already proven in real-world use, with hundreds of airports worldwide operating on it. What’s new is the Solar CAT I configuration — introducing this proven solar technology into the CAT I airport segment for the first time.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

The QPS Walk2000 represents a significant advancement in security technology as the world's first walk-through millimeter wave scanner approved for passenger screening by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). This certification confirms that the scanner adheres to stringent aviation security standards, but is also applicable in various areas, including loss prevention and critical infrastructure protection. The automatic detection function utilizes AI algorithms to identify a wide range of materials, including metals, liquids, plastics, powders, and organic substances with strongly reduced need for divestment. In the event of an alarm, anomalies are indicated on a neutral avatar, minimizing manual rechecks and enhancing privacy protection. Security personnel can focus on the specific indicated area, thereby streamlining the screening process and minimizing unnecessary interventions.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

Most important for operational improvement is that the passengers won’t need to stop or take any specific posture. Walking naturally through a security scanner is the key element of a seamless travel experience. Rohde & Schwarz is committed to continuously improve detection capabilities and reduce the alarm rate, both factors beyond regulatory requirements. This will finally lead to smoother and faster security processes where passengers but also screeners will benefit from.

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

Growing passenger numbers, limited space in security areas and high expectations from passengers into their travel experience are the key challenges. The use of technologies that meet the highest security requirements while significantly improving processing times and reducing the need for additional technology and personnel helps to effectively address these challenges.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes, since the ECAC qualification the QPS Walk2000 can be used for passenger checkpoints in Europe and other countries globally that follow the European qualification process. Further it can also be used for employee screening worldwide and is in use across various other industries such as loss prevention, critical infrastructure, and event security.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

It started as a pilot but the clear target from the beginning was the real-world scenario. By achieving ECAC approval and the very stringent German national certification this real-life operation was made possible. Thanks to an open and very progressive partnership with Fraport, both parties were able to immediately translate insights and observations into successful adjustments. This process is ongoing and will definitely take several months. But continuous improvement is as much a part of R&S's DNA as the strong ambitions of the world's leading airports.

1. What makes your solution or project unique or groundbreaking in the airport industry?

Our solution introduces Spatial AI as a new way for airports to understand and manage passenger flows. Using 3D data from LiDAR sensors, it creates a real-time, anonymous digital twin of how people and vehicles move across the airport, from curb to gate. 

A unique strength of this approach is the ability to capture flows with great precision and consistency at scale (>50 000 pax simultaneously in specific Terminal), regardless of lighting or crowd density (>3 pax/m2), while protecting privacy by design, as no image or personal data is ever captured. 

Outsight’s Spatial Intelligence solution creates a Motional Digital Twin of the terminal, offering continuous actionable insights instead of fragmented snapshots of single checkpoints. This gives operators a clear and continuous view of bottlenecks and movement patterns and makes it possible to bring real-time 3D intelligence into daily airport operations at unprecedented scale.

2. How has it improved operations, efficiency, sustainability, or passenger experience?

Airports using our technology report smoother flows and faster response times. Staff can see queues forming early and open lanes before passengers become frustrated. Managers can replay past events to understand what caused delays and adjust staffing or layouts accordingly. 

What makes the difference is that the system does not only capture what happens a single checkpoint. It gives a full view of the entire passenger journey: Authorized users can both Zoom in to a specific individual (anonymous ID tracking) and Zoom Out to understand aggregated KPIs based on the physical flow of people & vehicles. 

This broader picture reduces wasted time, improves resource allocation, and helps meet service-level targets. 

Also, because the system processes data efficiently on CPUs rather than energy-hungry GPUs, it also lowers the environmental footprint of advanced AI adoption at scale. 

For passengers, the impact is a calmer, more predictable journey and a safer environment. By optimizing flows c

3. How does it address current or future challenges faced by airports and aviation stakeholders?

Today’s airports are under pressure from rising traffic, staff shortages, and stricter service requirements. 

Our solution tackles these issues head-on by making operations proactive instead of reactive. In the future, as volumes grow and expectations rise, the system’s ability to provide predictive insights will help airports stay ahead of congestion and resource bottlenecks. It also addresses privacy concerns by being anonymous by design, which makes it fit for a future where security and personal rights must coexist.

With most airports nearing full capacity and new infrastructure unlikely to be built in time to meet growing demand, operators must optimize operations and enhance passenger flow within existing facilities through precise monitoring and actionable insights.

4. Can it be deployed across the industry?

Yes. The platform is already in use at international airports on four continents, which shows that it can adapt to different layouts and regulatory contexts. 

It is LiDAR-vendor agnostic and works with all relevant manufacturers and models. Airports and partners can also connect to it through our APIs, so the insights can be added to existing dashboards and workflows.

5. Was the solution a pilot or real-world application?

It is a real-world application. The technology is live today in operational airports and actively supports teams in their daily work. 

This is not a prototype or a limited trial, it is proven at scale and continues to expand worldwide.