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Top airport technology trends set to shape the future of airport operations in 2026
International Airport Review takes a look at the technologies that are set to transform airport processes in the next year to more efficient, sustainable and resilient operations.
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.