Day Three News and Views Highlights - inter airport Europe 2025

Friday 10th October 2025

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“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.

Workforce of the Future panel session:

L-R: Victoria Aitken (Moderator), Mohammad Taher, Ginesh Koottakara, Servienti Alberto

Inclusion in the Aviation Sector was addressed at the Focus Conference and continues to be a topical and important issue for passengers and airports alike.  Alarmingly, around 46% of disabled passengers say their disability restricted their ability to fly.

“Disability is very individual. There is no one size fits all. The whole airport passenger experience needs to be individualised and there needs to be more understanding across the whole process. It’s very demanding for passengers like me,” said Harvey Matthewson, Advocacy Manager, Aerobility  – inter airport Europe 2025’s charity partner. Matthewson was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child.

Rakesh Shahu, General Manager, Ostrum Tech Limited whose PRM software is designed exclusively for airports and passengers agrees. He believes that there is a gap in understanding about disability.

“Passengers need to be made more aware of what is available in the airport environment so they come more prepared and so more able to handle what is being asked of them,” said Rakesh and added that the digitisation of technology will help. 

A frictionless journey will make it more seamless for passengers such as Harvey and will help him avoid having to explain what his disability is each time he has an interaction. 

Harvey sees digitisation as being crucial for passengers with disabilities (and particularly non-visible disabilities). The ability to do everything on one app where the experience is tailored to what he needs would make his journey smoother and easier. “People with a disability want to and should be treated the same as other passengers”, he added.

Both Rakesh and Harvey agreed that the whole process needs to be unified. While more digital solutions are needed, things are going in the right direction and we should celebrate that, they concluded.

Harvey finished by highlighting the work of The Equal Skies Charter which aims to boost disability representation in the workforce and urges more companies in the aviation sector as a whole to embrace inclusivity. 

"Disabled people can bring a lot to the industry", he emphasised. He called for airports to show more commitment and a greater understanding of inclusivity.

Inclusion in the Aviation Sector panel session:

L-R: Chloe Greenbank (Moderator), Harvey Matthewson, Rakesh Shahu.

 

Exhibitor highlights

Spain’s CANARD by ITE  from Spain returns to inter airport highlighting its inspection and calibration capabilities.  With its advanced drone-based systems, airports can inspect and calibrate Visual Aids like PAPI, ALS and AGL and Radio Aids, as well as infrastructure.  Its solutions replace and complement inspection and calibration flights with manned aircraft, reducing runway occupation and cost.  CANARD can handle the whole calibration process from planning, drone-operation to documentation for the customer, or the end user can acquire their own software licence and gain full operational independence, using their own unmanned aerial systems.  CANARD by ITE is validated by aviation authorities around in the world, having inspected well over 300 PAPI, 93 ALS, 85 Runway Lights at over 100 airports in 26 countries. Key customers include AENA in Spain, Groupe ADP in France and Fraport Greece.

Volkan's Bekir Cosgun, International Sales and Regional Marketing Manager reported positive visitor feedback in the company's new hybrid/electric Lion - powered by diesel and electric power.  The Lion is made its European debut at inter airport 2025 sporting the colours of the show.  We believe we have the right product with this vehicle he says.  A fire truck doesn't need to be fully electric but in line with the move to sustainable airfield operations, we have a lot of interest, especially in Asia.  Volkan is one of the few companies in the world that designs and manufactures ARFF vehicles in accordance with ICAO and NFPA standards, supported by a 52-strong engineering team.  Volkan trucks are built in Izmir. Turkey, supported by a large R&D centre.

Volkan’s first hybrid electric fire truck

 

The Metal Pless Airportmaxx  is re-defining efficiency in airport snow removal operations. Clearing surfaces up to twice as fast as conventional ploughs, it combines speed, versatility, and surface protection in a single solution.  Its hydraulic wings give operators the flexibility to adapt the plough’s geometry and width in real time, maximizing productivity in all conditions. By integrating both Live Edge® Technology and Weight Transfer Technology, Metal Pless has set a new benchmark in the industry.

Airportmaxx's advanced design transfers up to 70% of the plough’s weight directly to the carrier vehicle, reducing ground friction while increasing the volume of snow moved with each pass. This innovative system not only boosts operational efficiency but also addresses a critical airport concern: protecting of sensitive infrastructure. Markings, inset lighting, and delicate surfaces remain untouched as the Airportmaxx clears snow quickly and safely. 

Metal Pless Airportmaxx snow removal system

 

 

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.

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