Top airport technology trends shaping airport operations in 2026

As the aviation industry continues to recover, and faces mounting pressure to deliver on climate goals while managing growing demand, 2026 is poised to be a defining year for the sector’s sustainability and digital transformation. Success will be measured by safer airports, shorter queues, greener operations and a seamless traveller experience. At the heart of this progress lies rapid technological adoption across sustainability, digitalisation, security and air traffic management.

The accelerated shift towards airport decarbonisation technologies

Airports are evolving from isolated operators to collaborative ecosystems united by a shared mission: decarbonisation. In 2026, technology will be critical to turning climate pledges into measurable outcomes.

Many airports are already pursuing energy self-sufficiency through large-scale renewable projects. Istanbul and Athens International Airports, for example, are approaching full electricity independence thanks to vast solar farms integrated into their operations. Similar projects are proliferating across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, enabling airports to reduce emissions and energy costs simultaneously.

Microgrids that integrate solar technology, battery storage and advanced inverters are transforming airports into energy hubs capable of maintaining resilience during power disruptions. Predictive energy management systems, powered by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), allow terminals to optimise energy use in real time. London City Airport, for instance, modernised its electrical infrastructure to connect solar panels, storage and smart controls into one unified network. The airport was able to double its electricity capacity.

On the ground, electrification continues to accelerate. Electric ground support equipment and vehicles are now standard at many major airports, with operators investing in charging infrastructure to enable fully zero emission airside operations. At the same time, airports are preparing for a new fuel ecosystem — one built around sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen and e-fuels. Copenhagen Airport, for example, is part of a consortium developing hydrogen refuelling capabilities to support the next generation of low carbon aircraft.

Digital identity and biometrics for seamless travel

With global air travel projected to reach 18.9 billion passengers by 2047, airports are under immense pressure to deliver frictionless, secure passenger journeys. Digital identity and biometric technologies are emerging as key enablers of this transformation.

IATA’s One ID initiative is advancing the vision of a paperless journey where passengers control their own digital identity from check-in to boarding. Several leading airports, including Singapore Changi, Heathrow and Atlanta are deploying biometric boarding and facial recognition to streamline processing times while maintaining stringent security standards. In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration has expanded its Digital ID programme to more than 250 airports, allowing travellers to use mobile driver’s licences for identity verification. Apple has recently announced that it will soon introduce a feature to their Apple Wallet allowing U.S. users to create a digital ID using their passport which can then be used at select TSA checkpoints for domestic travel.

According to SITA’s 2024 Air Transport IT Insights report, nearly half of airports plan to implement biometric identity management systems by the end of 2026. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is also developing the Digital Travel Credential (DTC), which will allow passengers to verify their identity without physical passports or boarding passes.

Today biometric travel tokens are only valid for a passenger’s journey through one airport. A key focus for the industry will be pushing this further so that the biometric token can take a passenger across borders and to multiple airports. The utopian world would be one where one single digital identity is recognised globally and allows the passenger control over that identity.

Together, these developments signal a shift toward harmonised, risk-based and seamless security that enhances both efficiency and passenger trust.

Smartphones and the digital evolution of airport retail

Beyond the terminal gates, smartphones are accelerating the evolution of airport retail. With online shopping available 24 hours a day, passengers now expect the same digital convenience in travel environments. Airports and concessionaires are responding by integrating mobile commerce into the passenger journey, allowing travellers to pre-order duty-free goods, book dining slots, or access personalised offers via airport apps. Changi Airport has even started giving instant benefits to passengers whose flight departure is delayed by three hours or more through their FlightSaver Assurance feature on the Changi App. Changi App is the first airport app globally to offer both real-time overseas airport information and an opt-in flight delay assurance programme.

This shift is transforming the airport experience and retail from a static, physical experience into a dynamic, data-driven ecosystem. Smart phones provide airports with valuable insights into passenger behaviour and dwell times, enabling tailored retail strategies and smarter use of space. For travellers, it means greater choice, flexibility and time efficiency, a critical differentiator as airports compete to enhance the overall passenger experience.

The industry is now preparing for the integration of advanced air mobility into the air traffic management system.

Intelligent automation in air traffic management

Digitalisation is revolutionising how skies are managed, marking a shift from traditional automation to intelligent, adaptive systems. AI is already supporting air traffic controllers through decision-support tools that analyse real-time data on weather, traffic density and airspace conditions. These technologies enable smarter, data-driven decisions that improve safety and reduce delays.

The use of digital twins — virtual replicas of airport and airspace operations — is also expanding. They allow airports and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) to run “what-if” testing and to optimise scenarios without disrupting live traffic. Meanwhile, virtual towers and satellite surveillance are extending the reach of air traffic management (ATM) services, particularly in remote or complex airspace.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), encompassing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is adding a new layer to this transformation. As cities prepare for urban air mobility, technologies such as trajectory management, AI-based conflict detection, and real-time data fusion will become essential. For airports, these innovations are laying the groundwork for a seamlessly connected airspace ecosystem.

Digitalisation and AI in air cargo logistics

The global rise in e-commerce, which now represents roughly one-fifth of all air cargo volumes worldwide, is driving a parallel transformation in cargo logistics. As the sector prepares for sustained growth, airports are becoming central to creating interoperable, data-rich ecosystems that connect airlines, handlers and freight forwarders.

AI and advanced analytics are being deployed to predict cargo flows, optimise capacity and reduce fuel consumption. IATA’s ONE Record standard is promoting end-to-end data exchange, enabling greater transparency and interoperability across the supply chain. Blockchain technologies are also being tested to improve traceability and trust between logistics partners.

Automation is extending beyond warehouses to last-mile delivery, with drones and electric vehicles increasingly used to enhance efficiency and sustainability. However, with this increased connectivity comes greater vulnerability. Cyber-security has become a critical investment area, as airports seek to safeguard cargo tracking systems and operational data from ever evolving digital threats.

E-commerce now represents one-fifth of all air cargo volumes worldwide. This is driving the use of AI and advanced analytics to predict cargo flows, as well as end-to-end data exchange and blockchain technologies to improve traceability.

A connected, sustainable future

The technologies shaping airport operations in 2026 share a common goal: to make aviation more sustainable, efficient and resilient. From AI-driven air traffic management to digital identity and renewable energy ecosystems, airports are redefining their role as intelligent, integrated transport hubs.

As airports around the world look ahead, technology will no longer be an optional enhancement but the foundation for competitiveness and sustainability. Those that act decisively —embedding innovation into their infrastructure, operations and culture— will set the pace for the next era of global air travel.