Day Two News and Views Highlights - inter airport Europe 2025

Thursday 9th October 2025

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As the popularity of specialist sector aviation events steps up, RX Global, organisers of inter airport Europe 2025 are delighted to welcome airport operators, airlines and ground handlers from across the globe to Munich this week. Visitor and Hosted Buyer delegations from countries including Vietnam, Pakistan and the Caribbean enjoyed seeing a raft of innovations and cutting-edge technology showcased in the halls, commented Event Director Syreeta Tranfield.

‘Co-accessibility is the goal with 40-strong airport network, Ing Costantino Pandolfi, Director of Infrastructure Planning. ENAC, Italian Civil Aviation Authority outlined yesterday, speaking on a panel at inter airport Europe addressing Airport Development with fellow airport professionals from Venezia and SEA Milan Airports (Malpensa and Linate).    And that extends down to the embracing of future air mobility, as part of the country’s National Aviation Plan (NAP) with a bolstered role for Rome’s city centre GA airport Urbe.  The NAP aligns with EU strategies to make airport capacity sustainable, flexible and resilient, complemented by efficient, inter modal city links, he said.

Its work in accessibility and sustainability helped SEA Milan Airports win the 2024 ACI awards (10 to 25 annual category) and an investment of 27m upgrade project is being made to manage an unprecedented influx of over-sized luggage said Claudia Carra, as Milan gets ready to host the winter Olympics and Paralympics which will bring in an additional 300,000 to 400,000 people.  Each professional skier will arrive with up to 35 sets of skis.  

Venice Airport is expanding with a dedicated Schengen terminal and more e-gates with a look that is in keeping with the destination.   We aspire to a holistic experience – not just where a passenger is located at the airport but where they dwell.  “We want them to be on their way, not in the way.”

How do you encourage young people into the aviation? Make their first job memorable, said Stefan Murphy, CEO, UK and Ireland of Unifi, global provider of ground handling and aviation services.  A panel titled ‘Workforce of the future,’ chaired by Regional Gateway’s Editor Chloe Greenbank explored an increasing emphasis on mental health; the need for employees to be flexible in their employment offerings and plenty of training and mentoring.  Unifi personnel working airside rely heavily on algorithms.  The company made 11,000 trades in the first month of its launch throughout its global network, committed to its frictionless, flexible working ethos. Flexible working models are also embraced at Munich Airport, with Nadine Ruh, HR Consultant Talent and Leadership, highlighting it is future proofing its workforce taking on apprentices and launching study programmes for older / and younger staff.  Natasa Iacovides, Director of Human Resources and Executive Coach Hermes Airport emphasises a workforce that feels safe and secure in the workforce, transcends to happy customers.

Workforce of the Future Focus Conference panel session:

L-R: Chloe Greenbank,  Natasa Iacovides,

Nadine Ruh  and Stefan Murphy

Over in the Innovation Theatre the emphasis was on improving an airport's efficiency.  Several of the day’s sessions explored fuel. Sustainability in Aviation Fuel Filtration and Monitoring was led by Richard Hooten, Sales Manager, FAUDI who showcased how it is advancing sustainability in the aviation fuel filtration industry with new advancements to help reduce your carbon footprint.

Zero Emission Refuelling  was led by Richard Lewis, Aviation Sales Director, Electra Commercial Vehicles (UK) who focused on electric refuellers.  He highlighted the importance of selecting good partners when make the transition as they bring experience and vision, choosing the right technology and the right people to implement and support the project.

Integrated Digital Refuelling: Unlocking efficiency, safety and sustainability,  was led by Alex Mattos, Managing Director, i6 Group.  He explained that digital refuelling is shaping how modern fuel operations function and how it offers a host of benefits including environmental, operational and commercial.

Innovation Theatre at inter airport Europe 2025

 

Exhibitor Highlights

Ground services equipment (GSE) company ITW GSE, returned to inter airport Europe, showcasing some of its latest innovations.  (Stand B5-1330).   Built on its advanced 3500 PCA design platform, the ITW GSE 3500 Mobile PCA is mounted on a towable trailer, ready to deploy without need for fixed installation. It can be parked at any location from contact gates to remote stands.   Its modular design means that cooling modules, fans and filters can be swapped on-site in minutes. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport approached ITW GSCE to deploy mobile PCA units and grew the order 55 ITW GSE 3500’s.   ITW GSE is also showing its latest DC Charger from its EcoGate suite, for electric GSE. Tapping into the existing infrastructure, the DC Charger connects directly to the ITW GSE 2400 GPU, which allocates surplus power, unlocking efficient load sharing to charge eGSE with 60kW.

Who’d have thought that airport drainage could be so attractive?  Anglo/German company Hauraton (Stand B-6 434) has built a successful business specialising in keeping airports dry for 65 years.   Spates of flash floods and persistent rain conditions has helped win the company a raft of international airport customers for its linear drainage, slot drains, point drainage, rainwater treatment and infiltration – most recently in Chishau, Moldova, Abu Dhabi International and Lodz in Poland.   Airport drainage systems are important for both airside and landside surfaces to keep operations running smoothly during heavy rainfalls. 

 

 

Hauraton at inter airport Europe 2025

 

Specialmobility.eu  from the Netherlands has brought its new autonomous wheelchair to the show (Stand B-6 210). It's a gamechanger for airport passengers with mobility issues/disabilities, putting the user in control.  They can more easily navigate duty free shops, restaurants and other outlets right up to boarding.  The slim chair is part of an extensive range of special mobility vehicles (trademarked as Mobby).  We don't have an airport customer for it yet but expect to after this show, said Wesley Hubers, Sales and Customer Manager.  We are very grateful to organisers RX Global for letting us demonstrate the chair.  The product line got an early thumbs up from disability campaigner Harvey Matthewson, inter airport Europe’s charity partner Aerobility.  

 

Special Mobility’s autonomous wheelchair

 

Editor’s note

inter airport Europe is a must-attend event for the global airport industry, an exhibition and seminar event targeting airport operators looking to source airport equipment, technology and services for ground handling, terminal operations, airport IT and airport design.

The show has always attracted an international audience, offering in-depth perspectives on new and emerging technologies that will help airports streamline their infrastructure, systems, and processes whilst meeting rising costs and compliance, in line with the United Nations’ commitment (backed by 145 countries) to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

About RX

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people.  RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit  www.rxglobal.com