What does airport transformation mean in reality?

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12 March 2026

2:00pm

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In this panel we will be bringing together industry experts and AtkinsRéalis technical experts to explore how the aviation sector is undergoing a diverse range of transformational activities around key themes including energy transition, enhancing passenger experience and resilience and efficiency into facilities and day to day operations.

Aviation as a sector is expecting huge growth in passenger numbers over the next decade with it becoming increasingly accessible for people across the world. Whilst this is great for the industry as a whole, this does present challenges around how the sector can look to reduce its carbon footprint and meet the net zero targets that many governments across the world are imposing on industries such as aviation and rail. A key to achieving this will be the energy transition towards sustainable aviation fuels and on-site power generation through energy sources such as solar and, potentially, small modular reactors. But this is not a simple as it may appear on the surface. Achieving a balanced energy mix, increased energy supply to meet demand and resilient distribution will be a core challenge over the next decade.

We will also discuss the changes to how passengers are processed through airports globally, and how this will require a shift in behaviours, culture and understanding during the years of transition. Whether this relates to security protocols and processes or a shift in how airports want to move passengers through their terminals, this will require passengers to understand why the changes are happening and what the end benefit is for them as a result of these changes. Given most passengers will only experience these changes whilst at an airport, rather than taking a day-to-day interest in the changes, that makes it challenging for the airport operators to communicate effectively how and why things are changing. Something that is becoming increasingly important for airports throughout the world to consider.

And underpinning both of these challenges is the need for airports to become more resilient across all aspects of their operations. The expected increase in passenger numbers will put real pressure on the resilience of airports across the world and present a whole new range of challenges. This can range from resilience against climate change, to resilience against potential power loss to resilience against cyber-attacks. There are so many factors that require resilience to ensure airports maintain effective operations, much of which needs to be invisible to passengers, but it is a key factor in transforming the airports of today to the airports of the future.

Attendees will learn: 

• How the aviation sector is looking to reduce its carbon footprint and the challenges this brings with it
• How changes in the sector will require passenger behaviours to adapt in line with future airport operations
• What are the key areas of resilience that are critical to maintaining a smooth operating airport environment?
• What does the transformed airport look and feel like to passengers and what challenges does this transformation bring with it?