PT World | Annual Showcase 2026
19 Nov 2025
Six industry leaders share their insights into how the latest trends are affecting airport operations – from sustainable infrastructure and digital twins to generative AI and better slot management
Please note: the below are snippets from the insights - for the full insights please scroll to the bottem of the page.
Work Together
Alan Newbold, director and aviation leader for the UK, India, Middle East and Africa at Arup, explores the consultancy’s role in supporting airports to meet demand through sustainable infrastructure
At Arup, we are supporting clients globally in delivering smarter, more resilient infrastructure that meets growth targets while reducing carbon, managing costs and improving operations.
This article highlights four projects that showcase how integrated design, digital planning and long-term thinking can unlock more sustainable and cost-effective aviation infrastructure...
Tech Support
Meghan E Sheehan, deputy aviation manager at AtkinsRéalis, explains how lightweight digital twins can help build better airports
Airport infrastructure is challenging to build due to complex operating environments
and differing stakeholder priorities.
AtkinsRéalis engineers, architects, 3D modelers and gaming developers are creating 3D immersive environments of existing and proposed project elements using both traditional and LDT technology.
The team can then simulate various phases of construction to validate sequencing and selection of work areas. This enables faster, safer construction with fewer impacts on operations and the passenger experience. It also provides a better understanding of any temporary work and associated costs required...
Proceed with caution
Donald Zoufal, an independent safety and security consultant at CrowzNest Consulting, outlines what generative artificial intelligence can do – and what it shouldn’t
While the phenomenon of Gen AI is relatively new, applications of descriptive and predictive AI solutions have been around for decades. In the airport operational sphere, AI solutions have already been used for managing gate operations and addressing scheduling challenges.
Rather than thinking of Gen AI as a substitute for human judgement, it may be more helpful to think of it as a system to augment the knowledge of human operators...Airports, like other AI users, must understand that guidance from AI, particularly on critical issues, should only be a starting point for human analysis...
Smart Solutions
Shantanu Gangakhedkar, senior aviation consultant and airports lead at Frost & Sullivan, discusses how to enhance airside operations through digitalization and automation
Airside operations have no doubt come a long way in terms of efficiency and effectiveness but still face some critical challenges that prevent airport operators from increasing capacity while reducing inefficiencies.
Key challenges include workforce scarcity, human error, increasing airport size, adverse weather and achieving net zero emissions.
Digitalization has been a major driving force, enabling airports to increase throughput, reduce inefficiencies, enhance the passenger experience and optimize operations without relying solely on capital-intensive infrastructure upgrades or expansion...
Slot together
Ilias Maragkakis, an associate partner at Lufthansa Consulting, outlines the trends around slot management and how to maximize capacity and reduce peaks
Experience has shown that proper management of the airport scheduling and slot coordination mechanisms can lead to great strategic advantages.
The process has complexities and, in many cases, airports do not get it right, but with a few clear steps one can develop a smooth-running capacity utilization process...
Green design
Esther Kromhout, managing director of NACO, Netherlands Airport Consultants, outlines how airports can adapt their infrastructure for the next generation of sustainable air travel
The shift to greener, more efficient aircraft is changing airport design and operations. Wider wingspans, fewer seats and new fueling requirements mean airports – especially the larger ones – will need to rethink how they use space. To stay ahead, airports must act now. Proactive planning, bold innovation and strategic investment are critical. The future of sustainable aviation is full of promise, and airports have a unique opportunity
to lead the way in shaping it...
