- inter airport Europe 2025 showcased how airports are embracing innovation, with AI, automation, and sustainability driving the next phase of development.
- CPK unveiled its vision for a fully AI-integrated airport in Poland, while Liège Airport outlined a €500 million cargo and infrastructure investment.
- Across the event, industry leaders highlighted the need to blend smart technologies with skilled, future-ready talent.
“We’ve had a very productive three days at inter airport Europe 2025. Here, the airport industry convened to connect with potential new partners, strengthen existing partnerships, learn and celebrate the many innovations across the sector – with excellent feedback from visitors and exhibitors,” said Syreeta Tranfield, Event Director. She confirmed the next 2027 Edition will return to Munich during 12 to 14 October.
Inter airport Europe looks at next gen, AI. Among the numerous airport visitors at inter airport Europe to learn about latest trends and innovations was Central Port Kommuninikacyjny (CPK) Airport, south west Warsaw. Starting with a clean sheet, its vision is for travellers to experience an effortless journey — from parking and check-in through security to boarding and even taxiing and artificial intelligence will play a big part with systems helping to reduce queues, personalises retail offers, and eliminate delays. CPK’s target opening date is now 2032. From the outset it will be a multimodal transport hub (just southwest of Warsaw) and will grow to support 100 million passengers annually. Its two runways will handle 34m initially, shared Przemysław Kot – Airside Operations Team Manager, CPK. Speaking on a panel he shared that Artificial Intelligence will form the backbone of CPK’s operational intelligence, letting it transform it into a smart, efficient and responsive hub. It intends to maximise the benefits of AI for real-time monitoring; flight scheduling, runway and apron usage, passenger flows, ground handling, baggage systems and energy consumption. We will focus on three main areas – passenger flow optimisation and the passenger experience, security screening and autonomous vehicles for passengers and baggage and automated snow-removal systems. The airport is taking its AI mission seriously. It recently introduced an AI Governance Framework, requiring all employees to use AI responsibly and ethically.
Liege Airport, Belgium came to inter airport with a shopping list. It’s preparing an airport masterplan for 2040 and a significant €500m spend in its cargoland and logistics by 2040 with sizeable projects in work to expand the site airside and extend its second runway. Hand in hand with that it is updating ground support equipment. These days, sustainability is a big factor, said Celine Petithan, on her first visit to inter airport Europe. Liege is seeking new airfield lighting – sustainability now a factor because the airport runs cargo operations 24/7. She’s investigating solar lighting too to see how it could fit around our airport. Europe’s fifth largest cargo hub and the biggest in Belgium. Liege also has a need for a new fire truck. Hybrid/electric may be a consideration, she said. The airport is also exploring the latest technology in Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) systems. The first RFPs will be issued next March. Being able to see all this equipment under one roof is great, she said.
Mohammad Taher first visited inter airport Europe in 2019. It was his first industry event (working for Heathrow Airport) and he was enthused about the variety of airside and landside equipment on show. Now he’s constantly passing through airports talking passionately on prominent international stages about how to engage youth in aviation as one of our leading aviation influencers, The Airport Guy.
Likening aviation to a restaurant it’s a broad buffet, he said. It’s not just – pilot / cabin crew or engineer. Becoming a pilot can be prohibitive by £100k funding. A wise employer is the one that lets an employee constantly pivot and grow in line with their skillsets, but capturing interest in aviation needs to start when they are young. On cue, he shared an innovative project he is developing on the 3D digital metaverse gaming platform, Roblox. In the virtual airport world the user can play out being an air traffic controller, baggage handler, refueller. We build the roles needed today and in the future by an airport, virtually. Imagine – I’ve had a ramp agent job for 14 years and I’m only 18, he quipped. Employers will want to sign them up. This will be a gamechanger if you then bring in virtual brands/advertisers, he suggested.
His fellow panellists on the Workforce of the Future panel highlighted that an aging workforce needs help navigating the digital world and around the airport some entry level jobs are being taken by AI, said Ginesh Koottakara, Head of Sales INFORM Aviation, Middle East and Asia are leading where Europe and North America are taking longer to consolidate legacy systems. The uncertainty around digital acceleration is changing how Gen Z feel about work. They want learning experiences and flexibility versus stability / salary criteria, added Servienti Alberto, Politecnico Professor of Air Transport Organisation – a healthy environment where they’re free to express themselves. He highlighted the rise of AI for aviation recruiters where thousands of cv’s can be screened in a short time. Matching skills with capabilities can detect and define via predictive analysis which makes it much easier for the recruiter. We have to change our way of thinking and must integrate with AI.
AI can address and remove any bias quickly, suggested Ginesh, adding how AI is increasingly used in CV writing. The wealth and accessibility to education has never been greater, agreed Alberto, making it easy for people to upskill and it doesn’t need to be done in a classroom.
