Airports including iGA Istanbul, Dublin, Cork, Brussels and Munich are adopting digital twins, AI, renewable energy and autonomous solutions to enhance sustainability and passenger comfort.
CRedit: iGA Istanbul Airport
Airports around the world are preparing themselves for the future. In changing demographics and expectations, new technologies on the horizon will have an enormous impact on the industry, which is evolving rapidly.
Key to future readiness is sustainability, as target deadlines for net zero near, airports are striving to create sustainable infrastructure and operations. The experience of passengers will also be impacted, as airports look to evolve from transit points to being part of the traveller’s journey and a destination in their own right. Making the process of navigating an airport seamless and enjoyable for the passenger has become paramount to their experience.
In this article, we take a closer look at four airports that have already implemented future-ready technologies for sustainability and the passenger experience. From the world’s largest LEED Gold-certified terminal building, to digital twins that help monitor and forecast the indoor conditions of the airport.
iGA Istanbul Airport
Innovation & sustainability hub
iGA Istanbul Airport sees innovation and sustainability not as parallel tracks but as two inseparable pillars shaping the future of global aviation.
“Our ambition is to set new international benchmarks, both in operational excellence and in climate-resilient infrastructure”, a spokesperson shared with IAR.
At the heart of this is its commitment to achieving net zero emissions across operations by 2050. A major step toward that goal is its flagship Eskişehir Solar Power Plant. With an installed capacity of 199.32 MW, it will soon allow the airport to meet almost 100% of the airport’s electricity demand from renewable energy.
iGA noted that it will make it the first major global aviation hub to operate entirely on solar power: “This initiative alone will prevent more than 212,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to the impact of over 500 million red pine trees over 25 years.”
Beyond renewable energy, iGA is also advancing industry-leading environmental programmes. They were Türkiye’s first airport to obtain the Zero-Waste Certification, and operate the world’s largest LEED Gold-certified terminal building.
“Our circular water management systems allow us to reuse wastewater for operations such as irrigation and landscaping, drastically reducing our water footprint.”
Credit: iGA Airport
Digital and physical upgrades
iGA’s Smart Airport vision focuses on creating a seamless, intuitive, and stress-free journey for every type of traveller. Digitalisation and physical infrastructure work hand-in-hand to improve flow, reduce bottlenecks, and elevate comfort.
“We use AI-powered queue management systems, real-time analytics, and predictive modelling to optimise staffing, security throughput, and peak-hour flow. Across the terminal, sensors and AI analyse passenger density, allowing us to redirect flows proactively, minimising wait times even during record traffic periods”, said iGA.
Every new system we deploy meets a simple benchmark: it must reduce stress, remove friction, and enable a smoother, more enjoyable journey.”
Its mobile app and WhatsApp-based “phygital” assistant offer end-to-end journey support, including indoor navigation, personalised alerts, lounge access, parking payments, and even luggage or vehicle location tools. Through these channels, passengers can plan and adjust their entire journey from a single interface without downloading additional apps.
The airport has also introduced autonomous service robots, multi-lingual digital totems, biometric checkpoints, and accessibility tools such as “My Route” navigation for visually impaired travellers. These innovations support its focus on inclusivity and consistent quality.
Physically, its upgrades are designed to match its scale. From expanding commercial areas to redesigning seating zones with Turkish hospitality at their core, the aim is to make the terminal feel spacious, intuitive, and comfortable, even during peak periods.
“These efforts helped us become the first airport in Europe, and only the fourth globally, to achieve ACI Level 5 Customer Experience Accreditation.
“Every new system we deploy meets a simple benchmark: it must reduce stress, remove friction, and enable a smoother, more enjoyable journey”, said iGA
Sustainable terminal design
“Sustainability is embedded in our architectural philosophy, not as an add-on, but as a fundamental design principle. Every material, system, and structural decision is evaluated through a lifecycle carbon lens”, said iGA.
The airport prioritises low-carbon construction materials and high-performance glazing, which together reduce heat gain and minimise energy consumption. Across the terminal, AI-driven HVAC systems optimise heating, cooling, and ventilation in real-time, delivering energy savings of up to 30%. Smart lighting, demand-based energy management, and advanced insulation further reinforce these efficiencies.
The terminal’s LEED Gold certification, making it the largest LEED-certified building in the world, reflects its commitment to responsible and resilient architecture. Water reclamation systems recycle nearly all used water for landscaping, enabling a zero-water-waste approach. Biodiversity management, noise reduction strategies, and green landscaping complete a holistic environmental framework.
iGA asserted: “Ultimately, our goal is to set a new global benchmark: an airport where technology, sustainability, and passenger comfort converge, demonstrating that large-scale aviation infrastructure can, and must, operate in harmony with our climate and our communities.”
Dublin and Cork Airport
Sustainable business strategy
At Dublin and Cork Airports, sustainability is embedded in its long-term business strategy. Dublin Airport’s €627 million investment programme, supported by the European Investment Bank, includes large-scale solar and EV infrastructure, water upgrades, and geothermal feasibility studies.
Credit: daa
Credit: daa
“Phase 1 of our solar farm is already powering up to 13% of Dublin Airport’s electricity needs, with Phase 2 being planned, set to push that beyond 20% by 2030. Cork Airport is also exploring plans for solar energy and has led the Irish semi-state commercial sector in energy savings for two consecutive years”, said Kevin Cullinane, Deputy Director of Communications at daa, the operator of Dublin and Cork airports.
Personalised passenger services
Digital monitoring plays an important role in managing these systems efficiently. daa are deploying live occupancy sensors in lounges and toilets, smart water and energy controls, and leveraging AI to personalise passenger services and tailored products to meet our varying passenger needs. These tools help us optimise resource use and improve operational resilience.
Cullinane noted that: “Importantly, our infrastructure investments are designed to enhance, not compromise, the passenger experience. Whether it’s lower emissions from electrified fleets, more reliable terminal services powered by renewables, or refurbished lounges that reused 75% of existing furniture as part of our circularity goals, we are demonstrating that sustainability and customer satisfaction can be delivered together.”
Brussels Airport
Digital twins driving decarbonisation
Brussels Airport is taking major steps towards future-ready, data-driven infrastructure through the development of a highly advanced digital twin. The digital twin has confirmed that the airport’s net zero carbon planning is within reach, offering an accurate model of how its built environment consumes energy and how planned interventions could reduce emissions.
The methodology behind creating the digital twin baseline has been published as peer-reviewed research in an academic journal, underscoring the rigour of the approach. The study outlines the requirements and challenges of developing a physics-based model for a complex airport environment, detailing how the digital twin simulates energy demand with a close match to actual usage. This alignment gives Brussels Airport strong confidence in using the model for future decarbonisation planning and for predicting the impact of net zero measures.
Credit: Frontiers. Image: A physics-based digital twin baseline to decarbonize the built environment of airports: the Brussels Airport case
The digital twin baseline has already been used to analyse carbon-reduction interventions across both cargo and terminal zones in line with Brussels Airport Company’s net zero plan. A public 3D viewer now allows users to explore different zones of the airport, compare baseline and net zero scenarios, and understand how each intervention affects future energy demand and CO2 forecasts.
Intelligent operational control
Another major step in the airport’s digital transformation is the development of an Intelligent Terminal Command Centre. Built using the digital twin created through the Stargate project, the tool enables the airport to monitor and forecast indoor conditions in key areas, starting with the passenger screening zone.
By predicting temperature, airflow, and occupancy levels, the system supports more efficient management of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and staffing. This helps operators prevent overheating, maintain comfort, and improve energy efficiency. It also allows the airport to manage resources proactively, supporting smoother operations during peak periods while ensuring optimal passenger comfort.
Munich Airport
Reducing emissions
At Munich Airport, digitalisation serves as a key enabler for enhancing both operational performance and its net zero 2035 strategy.
Jan-Henrik Andersson, Chief Commercial & Chief Security Officer, and Vera Jakobsen, Vice President Digital, told IAR: “We are deploying AI and automation solutions in targeted, high-impact areas. Operationally, AI now supports forecasting and decision-making. Our passenger flow forecasting models use booking data and schedules to deliver accurate predictions, allowing us to manage staffing dynamically and reduce congestion.”
“Intelligent control systems in parking garages have reduced emissions by around 70%, and our smart metering infrastructure now enables remote meter readings and automated detection of abnormal energy consumption.”
On the apron, Munich is implementing a video-based AI system that provides real-time TOBT predictions, improving turnaround accuracy and on-time performance. They are also rolling out AI-powered tailgating detection at eGates to enhance the efficiency and security of boarding pass control processes.
A further example that Jan-Henrick and Vera shared was: “Intelligent control systems in parking garages have reduced emissions by around 70%, and our smart metering infrastructure now enables remote meter readings and automated detection of abnormal energy consumption.”
Munich is also rolling out AI tools to increase workforce productivity. Microsoft Copilot is being introduced across the organisation and the airport is developing an internal ChatGPT solution that provides fast access to internal knowledge and supports employees in their daily tasks.
Digital twins are becoming an integral part of how they manage processes and buildings. With Celonis and Chimp, you can create process-based digital twins that expose inefficiencies and enable data-driven optimisation. In parallel, advanced 3D digital twin models are helping to simulate building operations and plan emissions-free refurbishment measures.
Autonomous apron programme
The first phase of Munich’s autonomous apron programme has delivered encouraging results. In Terminal 2, remote-controlled boarding bridge operations have been successfully tested in live conditions, demonstrating that remote docking is feasible and paving the way toward fully autonomous operation in the future.
Jan-Henrick and Vera noted: “We are also advancing an autonomous shuttle pilot for the landside environment, aimed at providing last-mile connectivity from remote parking lots. This project is an important step in understanding how automated mobility solutions can support passengers and staff in day-to-day operations.”
Credit: Munich Airport
Sustainability is a central pillar of the programme. All planned autonomous apron vehicles are being designed with electric powertrains, fully aligned with our net zero 2035 roadmap. In addition, the airport has introduced intelligent apron lighting that adjusts automatically based on flight schedules, stand occupation and aircraft size, ensuring energy is only used where and when needed.
Data Lake
Munich’s Data Lake has become the backbone of our real-time operational intelligence. It integrates seamlessly with platforms such as Celonis and Chimp, allowing us to combine data from operations, energy systems and commercial activities and translate it into actionable insights.
Real-time data is already improving everyday performance. Ground operations and baggage handling teams use live dashboards and alerts to react faster to disruptions and address inefficiencies before they escalate.
The platform also supports the airport’s sustainability agenda. By comparing energy demand across buildings and systems (adjusted for weather conditions), Munich can identify inefficiencies, benchmark performance, and derive concrete measures to reduce consumption. These insights directly inform energy-efficient construction and refurbishment projects, contributing to its net zero 2035 goals.
Looking ahead, Munich’s roadmap focuses on significantly expanding the number of integrated data sources across operations, commercial services, and real estate. This will enable predictive analytics at scale and support long-term decisions that balance operational excellence with sustainability.
Conclusion
Airports around the world are embracing a future-ready approach where sustainability, technology, and passenger experience are closely intertwined. From iGA Istanbul Airport’s solar-powered infrastructure and LEED Gold-certified terminal to Dublin and Cork Airports’ investment in renewable energy and personalised services, these facilities demonstrate that environmental responsibility and customer satisfaction can be delivered together. Brussels Airport shows the power of digital twins to plan and forecast decarbonisation measures accurately, while Munich Airport illustrates how AI, autonomous systems, and integrated data platforms can optimise operations, reduce emissions, and enhance efficiency.
The examples underline a clear trend: airports are no longer just transit points but are evolving into complex, intelligent hubs that balance operational excellence with sustainability and comfort. By embedding environmental principles into design, investing in digitalisation, and prioritising the passenger journey, these airports are setting global benchmarks. As the aviation industry faces rising demand, stricter environmental targets, and changing passenger expectations, adopting these future-ready strategies will be essential for airports to remain competitive, resilient, and sustainable for decades to come.
