Airports around the world are rapidly advancing digital transformation, passenger experience enhancements, and sustainable operational models that are redefining what seamless travel looks like. These shifts are accelerating at a pace the industry hasn’t seen before — and the airports recognized in this year’s ACI World–Amadeus Technology Innovation Awards exemplify how quickly this evolution is unfolding.
Every year, the awards highlight forward-thinking airport projects that elevate the passenger experience, strengthen operational performance and airport capacity, and show how emerging technologies can be applied in real, functioning airport environments.
To set the stage, Rudy Daniello, EVP AirOps at Amadeus, captures the moment clearly:
“Our industry stands on the cusp of huge change as airports across the world digitally transform to offer a seamless travel experience. Now mature technologies like digital identity and biometrics are proven to drastically improve the experience of travel the door is open to even greater levels of innovation across the sector. The initiatives underlined how airports can work closely with their airline and government partners to ensure these transformative technologies are applied in a coordinated and integrated manner that delivers outstanding new passenger experiences while boosting overall capacity.”
Celebrating the ACI World–Amadeus Technology Innovation Awards Winners
This year’s submissions were exceptionally strong — and for good reason. Technology innovation is accelerating, reshaping how airports operate and how travellers move through terminals.
Amadeus and ACI World extend warm congratulations to this year’s award recipients. The winning projects reflect a new mindset across the sector: bold, practical, and focused on measurable improvements, both for passengers and airport operations.
Winners of the Technology Innovation Awards 2025
- Best Innovation in Airport Passenger Related Processes: The Future Checked In: Biometric Enabled Self Baggage Drop at Kempegowda International Airport
- Best Innovation in Airport Operations and Installations Management: Smart Cleaning System: Redefining Facility Management through Innovation at Queen Alia International Airport
- Best Airport Innovation Leader (Individual): Pablo Lopez Loeches, Head of Ideation & Entrepreneurship at Aena
- Best Innovation: Airport on the Rise (5 million passengers or less): Bioclimatic Airport Building at Roland Garros Airport
Learn more about the 2025 TIA winners
A new era of seamless travel
The aviation industry is making major digital strides. Examples include self-service check-in, automated bag drop, e-gates at immigration, biometric boarding. But the next wave goes further.
Airports are now moving into full digital transformation, where individual touchpoints are no longer isolated systems but connected parts of a single, streamlined journey. Data flows securely, processing becomes faster, and passengers move from curb to gate with far fewer interruptions.
Digital identity wallets brought by airport digital transformation
One of the most significant shifts on the horizon is the introduction of digital identity wallets — secure mobile tools that store verified identity credentials and travel documents.
A single tap on a smartphone could soon replace multiple steps that currently require face-to-face checks or paper documents.
This year, Amadeus and Lufthansa successfully tested the EU Digital Identity Wallet across key touchpoints. European travellers will gain access next year, and similar initiatives are advancing across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Within a few years, digital wallets are expected to become the primary way passengers manage their end-to-end journey.
Biometrics in airports
To support these changes, many airports and governments are upgrading their infrastructure with biometric-enabled touchpoints.
This year alone:
- Perth Airport deployed Australia’s first fully biometric departure experience, offering a seamless flow through check-in, bag drop, and boarding.
- Indonesia introduced three “biometrics-on-the-move” corridors, allowing secure identity validation while passengers walk — no stopping at barriers, no scanning, no queues.
The impact is substantial. Biometrics increase throughput, strengthen security, and speed up processing across the terminal.
Airport innovation meets airline retail transformation
While airports modernize their infrastructure, airlines are undergoing a complementary shift: the transition from traditional Departure Control Systems (DCS) to Delivery Management Systems (DMS).
This evolution unlocks several high-value improvements:
- Automatic traveller recognition at every touchpoint
- A single digital “journey pass” replacing multiple documents
- The potential to eliminate check-in as a separate process
- More personalized offers and services based on traveler needs
This convergence — airport digital transformation + airline retail transformation — is laying the foundation for a radically improved passenger experience.
The transformation is already in motion — and gathering speed.
The future of global aviation is being shaped by rapid digital transformation, with digital identity, biometrics, and smarter airport–airline collaboration redefining the passenger experience.
FAQ
What are the ACI World–Amadeus Technology Innovations Awards?
They are annual awards recognizing innovative airport projects that enhance passenger experience, operational efficiency, and the use of emerging technologies.
How are biometrics used in airports today?
Airports use biometrics for check-in, bag drop, immigration, security, and boarding to speed up processing and improve accuracy.
What is a travel digital identity wallet?
A digital identity wallet securely stores a traveler’s identity credentials and travel documents on their mobile device, enabling seamless authentication across airport touchpoints.
Why is collaboration important for airport digital transformation?
Because airports, airlines, and governments must align systems, data standards, and processes to deliver consistent, scalable passenger journeys.
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