Building a Competitive Edge in Aviation

Challenges and opportunities

The future of aviation offers incredible opportunities for innovation and growth.

Decarbonization and sustainability

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is a significant challenge for the industry. However, it also presents an opportunity for airports and operators to step up as leaders in sustainable innovation. By investing in renewable energy, sustainable materials, and carbon offsetting programs, the industry can reduce its environmental impact while meeting the growing demand for air travel.

Managing growth and expansion

As air travel continues to grow, airports face the challenge of expanding their facilities while maintaining operational efficiency in a 24/7 live environment. This includes building in flexibility for terminal and runway expansion early, managing construction projects, securing planning permissions and ensuring that expansions don’t negatively impact the passenger experience or communities on flight paths.

Competition

Passengers are embracing different means of travel to and from the airport, including train or bus, rideshare services, carparking and valet services, taxi, or personal drop-off and pickup. We need to continue to integrate these into the planning process for airports if they’re to remain attractive for both flyers and non-flyers.

Staffing is forecast to be an issue in aviation and the industry is responding with an increase in amenity for airside workers.

Power

As a high-energy sector, airports and operators need to plan for power scarcity as they move to electrify their assets. Getting clear ahead of time on capacity needed—at least five years into the future—will help secure the energy they need as the grid experiences a surge in demand due to electrification.

Adapting to changing passenger expectations

Passenger expectations are constantly expanding, driven by technological advancements and changing social norms. Airports must stay ahead of these trends to remain competitive by offering enhanced services, such as personalized experiences and seamless travel.

This requires flexible and evolving masterplans, alongside continuous investment in technology and infrastructure. It demands partnerships, technical expertise, and innovation.

Sustainability and decarbonization

Reducing carbon emissions is a key focus for airports and operators, and the industry is moving faster than it ever has. Initiatives include:

• Developing decarbonization strategies that encompass airside, landside, and transportation to and from the site
• Implementing carbon lifecycle assessments (LCA) to evaluate the total carbon impact of materials and operations throughout their entire life cycle
• Embracing ratings schemes such as Airport Carbon Accreditation, LEED, and Green Star
• Collaborating with other airports and partners to leverage learnings and accelerate the journey

Passengers are starting to become more aware of their travel’s impact on global emissions. They’re demanding transparency and beginning to choose transportation hubs based on sustainable credentials.

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Fly Net Zero strategy brings air transport in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. To succeed, they will require the coordinated efforts of the entire industry—airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, manufacturers—and significant government support.

Transitioning to renewable energy

As airports move away from fossil fuels, we’re seeing solar and electric power being implemented as a practical alternative, as well as hydrogen being explored as an option. This encompasses more than just building services; we’re also involved in the development of services for the electrification of ground support vehicle and hire car companies.

The UK Department for Transport’s Jet Zero Strategy, which aims for net-zero domestic flights by 2040 and 10 percent of jet fuel to come from sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030, is just one example of how government policies are shaping these efforts. The Australian Jet Zero Council and the U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan also have national plans with sector-wide commitments.

Upgrading infrastructure and improving performance

Infrastructure audits have become a first step to identify opportunities for efficiency across the building fabric and services. While transitioning infrastructure and plant over to renewables incurs significant capital expenditure, it also offers immediate energy savings with more efficient equipment. Examples include heat pumps and preconditioned air that enable real savings in energy, cost, and carbon.

Electric vehicle chargers are also a critical part of any infrastructure upgrade with a comprehensive fire strategy review essential. Installation of local and national hydrogen pipelines, such as Hynet in the United Kingdom, enables the use of hydrogen for heat boilers in district networks in the future. Waste reduction strategies are also being rolled out across all aspects of operations.

Sustainable materials

Reusing materials in construction, or sourcing materials with significantly reduced embodied carbon, is an important part of any airport’s decarbonization strategy.

Pavements and runways

Reviewing the design and materials in pavement construction and using low-temperature asphalt can significantly cut carbon emissions. Reduce, reuse, and recycle initiatives include:

• Using specialist software that incorporates analytical and finite element analysis, enabling airports to reduce the thickness of asphalt material overlaying a concrete pavement
• Reusing site-won material or by-products from other industries
• Recycling existing materials into new pavement layers, such as crushing existing concrete pavement and using the material in new pavement construction

Design innovations include:

• Using low temperature asphalt that uses reduced temperature for mixing the material, saving energy and time
• Incorporating polymer-modified bitumen and geosynthetic reinforcement in asphalt to resist reflection cracking, improving durability and lifespan
• Adding graphene in concrete to increase strength and durability

At Dublin Airport, reports show that a 230-ton reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) was achieved by incorporating geosynthetic grid reinforcement and specialist design software to mitigate reflective cracking during a runway rehabilitation project.

At Schiphol Airport, 1,030 tons of CO₂ was saved during a runway rehabilitation project by using polymer-modified bitumen and recycled asphalt.

Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)

DfMA allows for a completely different method of construction that focuses on enabling faster, cheaper, and safer construction by:

• Ensuring all designs can be manufactured easily and cost-effectively
• Considering how the manufactured parts can be efficiently assembled away from the construction site

One of the big DfMA success stories is the manufacture and installation of the mega risers at Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom. The team was able to save weeks on the build program, introduce controlled quality to the installation, and make the construction site safer by reducing the number of operatives working in tight confined spaces.

Sustainable aviation fuel

There’s huge potential for airports to accelerate their decarbonization efforts with the electrification of ground support vehicles, adoption of SAFs, and production of fuel on-site.

SAFs offer a number of benefits over traditional fuels, including contributing to energy security with a diversified fuel supply and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Technological innovations are enabling these fuels to become more efficient and cost-effective, while government policies and incentives will drive adoption.

SAFs are a crucial part of the EUROCONTROL Aviation Outlook, which offers insights into how the aviation sector will achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.

Electricity

While we’re still at the advent of electric vehicle technology, there are many exciting developments underway, including:

• Small transit aircraft, such as electric helicopters and smaller regional planes
• Cargo transportation through electric drones

Hydrogen

Research into hydrogen as a potential energy source for aircraft has been intensifying. Considered one of most promising zero-emission technologies, liquid hydrogen is looking more favorable than compressed gases.

Other fuels

Biofuel research and cargo transportation through helium blimps are also in a research stage. Some of these fuels have the potential to support rural development and agricultural diversification.

Technology

Technology is behind every piece of progress in the aviation industry, from enhancing security to improving operational efficiency and lifting the passenger experience. It’s critical that we plan for flexible technology that’s effective today and able to incorporate future technologies without impacting the building fabric.

Technology for operational efficiency

Digital models

Airports are increasingly relying on detailed digital models of their assets. These models provide a comprehensive view of the existing infrastructure, allowing for more efficient planning and execution of upgrades. They also enable airports to simulate scenarios, optimize operations, and reduce costs. The approach supports long-term maintenance strategies by ensuring assets are managed effectively throughout their lifecycle.

Drones and autonomous aircraft

The rise of drone technology and autonomous aircraft are exciting developments in aviation. Drones are being used for many things:

• Airport inspection and maintenance: traditionally, inspection of precision approach path indicator (PAPI) has been done by flight inspection aircraft. Drones can be equipped to check these units are performing correctly.
• Contactless cargo delivery: trials are being carried out to deliver medical supplies to remote locations. The cargo industry is set to grow.
• Bird control: bird strikes threaten bird and aircraft safety. A drone can be used to scare birds on the ground and lure flocks away from airspace.
• Autonomous aircraft: these are likely to become one of the most transformative trends in aviation. While we may not yet be boarding pilotless planes, advancements are laying the groundwork for fully autonomous aircraft becoming a reality in the future.
• Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL): eVTOL are becoming increasingly popular as the aviation industry seeks to provide efficient, point-to-point transportation between urban areas.

Wi-Fi personal networks (WPN)

These are dedicated networks that operate over a shared physical network but provide users with a secure and private connection. By segmenting the network into individualized, isolated virtual networks, a WPN ensures that each user’s data and devices remain confidential and protected from other users on the same shared infrastructure. This approach mitigates the privacy and security issues commonly associated with shared networks.

Further benefits include:

• Operational efficiency through reliable, real-time communication between various airport stakeholders
• Baggage handling systems that can enhance the accuracy and speed of baggage handling processes
• Surveillance and monitoring, supporting high-resolution video surveillance systems, and enabling real-time monitoring of airport premises
• Data-driven decision-making with the deployment of autonomous vehicles and drones within airport premises

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Airports are leveraging AI and advanced analytics to optimize gate assignments, flight paths, and overall efficiency. These technologies enable better management of air traffic—particularly during peak times—and contribute to a smoother experience for airlines.

Alaska Airlines used the slowdown of the pandemic to test out new flight path programming for their aircraft. During a six-month trial period, it implemented an AI-driven program to discover optimal flight paths by factoring in the original route, weather conditions, weight of aircraft, and other factors.

The AI program tested all possible routes and collected data on mileage and fuel use. It then used that data to refocus its subsequent efforts, all with the goal of creating the most efficient flight route in real time.

During the 6-month pilot, the airline shaved an average 5 minutes from flights amounting to 480 thousand gallons of jet fuel saved.

Remote air traffic control towers

The concept of remote air traffic control towers is gaining traction, especially at smaller airports. These towers enable air traffic controllers to manage multiple locations from a central hub, reducing the need for on-site staff and infrastructure.

The technology is still in early stages, but it’s expected to become more prevalent as airports look for ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Smart systems

Some of the latest developments in this area include:

• Automating debris detection to manage waste more efficiently and improve cleanliness
• Asset tracking of mobile equipment like wheelchairs to enable faster delivery and more efficient use of resources
• Integration of arrivals and departures with ground transportation to speed up the arrivals and departures process

Technology that enables a frictionless passenger experience

Airports are mixed-use developments that need to accommodate transportation, retail, hospitality, entertainment, health, and well-being.

The distance from curb to gate is usually long, which provides an opportunity for engagement through interactive wayfinding, dynamic retail, and advertising. This journey also needs to offer surety on available dwell time.

Designing terminals or transportation hubs to be centered around flow, comfort, convenience, accessibility, and amenities significantly enhances the passenger experience. Using smart technology to enable clear signage and intuitive navigation is key. Comfortable seating, adequate facilities (restrooms, lounges, charging stations), and a wide range of food and retail options are also expected.

Biometrics

Advanced technologies, such as biometrics, are being used to streamline check-ins, security checks, boarding processes, and wait times. This can significantly reduce curb-to-plane time.

Identification and authentication through facial recognition, fingerprints, and retina scanning can streamline the lengthy security process. This integration of biometric technology into customs and border control, with automated eGates as one example, is improving security speed and quality, as well as easing passenger stress.

Advanced analytics

AI and advanced analytics are also helping to optimize gate assignments and flight paths and reduce delays. These technologies enable better management of air traffic, particularly during peak times, which contributes to a smoother experience for passengers.

Some of the initiatives we’re seeing include:

• Automated check-in which can sense the departure areas that are busy and move check-in to those areas to alleviate queues and delays
• Concierge robots which meet and greet passengers
• AI-driven pattern recognition to enhance biometric technology

Security search, advanced screening, and automated border control

Security search technology and advanced screening methods have the potential to eliminate the need for passengers to remove items like liquids and electronics from their bags, creating an easier passenger and staff experience.

We’re currently designing and installing integrated automated border control technology, or eGates, at border control checkpoints for passport control.

Passenger Wi-Fi

This remains one of the hottest opportunities for air transport providing a compelling opportunity to enhance various aspects of the passenger experience. These networks, often based on LTE or 5G technology, provide airports with a dedicated, secure, and high-performance communication infrastructure.

Benefits to the passenger include:

• Fast and reliable Wi-Fi and secure internet connectivity
• Personalized services through mobile apps
• Faster check-in and boarding by enabling technologies like biometric scanning, mobile check-ins, and automated boarding gates
• WPNs can streamline the check-in and boarding processes, reducing wait times

Travel to and from the airport

Both emerging start-ups and established manufacturers are developing eVTOL vehicles. They’re fueled by electric power and are considered a quiet and low-emission means of transportation.

Challenges being worked through include:

• Establishing an operational and mechanical safety record
• Constructing infrastructure, including vertiports, takeoff and landing zones, and charging stations
• Integrating eVTOL air traffic management with other systems.
• Achieving popular support for unmanned aerial flight

To remain competitive, airports and operators need to embrace sustainability, leverage advanced technologies, and carefully manage growth through flexible planning and innovation. Continuous investment, partnerships, and expertise are critical to navigating the industry’s future challenges and opportunities.