Fraport Greece and the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) join forces to shape the airports of the future

Wednesday, 2 July 2024

Fraport Greece and the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) have entered into a five-year strategic partnership, marking another significant milestone in the digital transformation of Greece's regional airports. The partnership combines Fraport Greece's operational expertise with CERTH's research excellence and technological know-how to develop innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the aviation sector and enhance airport operations.

Leveraging Fraport Greece's extensive experience in managing Greece's 14 regional airports and CERTH's scientific expertise as one of the country's leading research centres, the partnership will focus on joint Research and Development (R&D) initiatives to develop innovative tools that increase operational efficiency, enhance service quality, and further elevate the passenger experience.

The partnership is expected to deliver a range of innovative advancements and digital solutions, including:

• Drone-enabled inspection of airport infrastructure and facilities
• AI-powered predictive maintenance for critical airport infrastructure and assets
• Artificial intelligence applications to optimise passenger flow and terminal operations
• Digital applications that enhance operational efficiency while improving the overall passenger experience
• Robotics solutions for passenger assistance, autonomous logistics, security support, and other airport operational needs

This initiative is part of Fraport Greece's long-term vision to build a modern, smart and sustainable airport ecosystem, leveraging innovation and technological advancement as key drivers of growth.

John Theophilos, Head of IT & Telecommunications at Fraport Greece, commented: “Our partnership with CERTH marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration that connects pioneering research and emerging technologies with the real-world demands of airport operations. It is our priority to reach our North Star with a clear vision for the next era of intelligent, future-ready airports. Together, we will transform innovation into practical solutions that enhance efficiency, elevate passenger experience, and shape the airports of the future”.

Dr. Tzovaras, Research Director of the Information Technologies Institute (ITI) and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of CERTH, underlined: “We are delighted to be partnering with Fraport Greece, a collaboration that brings research, innovation, and cutting-edge solutions closer to the evolving needs of today’s airports. Αrtificial intelligence, robotics, data analytics, and smart management platforms will support the transformation of airport operations, enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability while creating a more seamless and improved experience for passengers. We strongly believe that this collaboration will become a leading example of how digital transformation can shape the future of airports, delivering meaningful value to all stakeholders and contributing to the development of smarter, more resilient, and passenger-focused infrastructure”.