Airports are vital to the EU’s global connectivity, economy growth and social cohesion.
Major hubs serve as gateways for passengers and goods, while regional airports strenghten regional links and development.
However, they face important challenges, including increasing air traffic, aviation decarbonisation, and the need for digital and sustainable transitions.
Since 2014, EU funding has:
- increased the availability of new fuels
- improved airport accessibility by public transport
- electrified ground handling services
- moved towards more digital and sustainable operations, procedures and technologies
- ensured dual use of airport infrastructure to make it accessible for military operations
Discover some of the airports that have received EU support for one of the above on the map.
Advancing the transition of airports to more sustainable, competitive, and resilient operations
The EU plays a key role in driving innovation and sustainability of airports. A notable initiative in this effort is the funding of three major EU Green Deal airport projects supported by €75 million from Horizon Europe – STARGATE, OLGA and TULIPS. Launched in 2022, these projects align with the EU Green Deal goals and the twin transitions towards sustainability and digitalisation.
Each flagship project brings together leading airports to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions in areas such as building management, waste reduction, heating and cooling, passenger and workforce mobility, renewable energy for ground vehicles, alternative aviation fuels, hydrogen technologies, and digital transformation.
Beyond the individual innovations emerging from these projects – which will transition into real-world applications – their broader impact lies in strategic approach to reshaping airport operations. By establishing the necessary strategies, these projects help accelerate the transition to greener and smarter airports. Additionally, smaller airports actively participate in these initiatives, ensuring that successful solutions can be replicated and scaled across the industry.
Discover some of the Green Deal airport project innovations
One of projects underway as part of OLGA involves innovative energy efficient solutions at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – including solar-powered boarding bridges. A pioneering proof of concept featuring solar panels and battery storage supplies 25% of the electrical needs of medium-sized aircraft parked at stands.
Lead airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Participating airports: Milan Malpensa (IT), Cluj Airport (RO)
EU contribution: €25 million
As part of the TULIPS project, Schiphol Airport achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first airport globally to test a hydrogen-powered Ground Power Unit (GPU) connected to an aircraft. This innovative H2-GPU is currently supplying electricity to KLM Cityhopper aircraft on the apron, providing power for lighting and cockpit operations.
Lead airport: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Participating airports: Larnaka (CY), Oslo (NO), Turin (IT)
EU contribution: €25 million
Within the STARGATE project, Brussels Airport is trialling a Belgian first – a new self-driving, fully- electric shuttle. The shuttle operates entirely autonomously, transporting airport employees across the tarmac for a three-month trial period. This pilot, part of the STARGATE initiative, marks a significant step forward in advancing innovative and sustainable mobility solutions at the airport.
Lead airport: Brussels Airport
Participating airports: Athens (GR), Budapest (HU), Toulouse (FR)
EU contribution: €25 million
Improving public transport connections
It is essential for airports to be well-connected to their surroundings, making it easier for passengers to access them. Direct links between major airports and the country’s high-speed or long-distance train networks, as well as local tram or metro systems, improve accessibility. This helps create better connections between airports and urban centres. CEF Transport has supported 34 projects for a total investment of over €1 billion in Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom to establish direct rail links or metro lines connecting the airport to nearby cities.
Discover project examples
As part of the Stuttgart 21 project, a high-speed rail connection is being constructed between Stuttgart Airport and Ulm to better connect the surrounding areas.
EU contribution: €65 million
Upgraded railway connections from the city to Copenhagen Airport will result in reduced travel time for passengers with more frequent departures for passenger trains.
EU contribution: €3.5 million
The North of Bucharest is now connected to the Henri Coanda Bucuresti International Airport with a newly constructed railway line.
EU contribution: €43 million
Airports play a significant role in carbon emissions, mainly due to the widespread use of ground vehicles like shuttle buses and baggage tractors, which still operate on traditional fuels. These vehicles contribute heavily to carbon emissions and harm air quality in and around airport areas. Additionally, aircraft auxiliary power units, which burn kerosene to power stationary planes, are another major source of emissions at airports.
CEF Transport helps airports to electrify their operations through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), making them more sustainable by using green energy. The programme is crucial in reducing noise, pollutant emissions, and CO2 emissions in airports.
To date, CEF Transport has supported projects in 63 airports for a total EU contribution of €140 million across 12 EU Member States, including major hubs like Milan Linate and Malpensa Airports and Paris Roissy-CDG Airport.
These efforts align with the goals set out in the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, especially regarding electricity and hydrogen supply to stationary aircrafts and ground operations at airports along the core and comprehensive transport corridors within the trans-European transport network (TEN-T).
Transitioning to electric vehicles provides airports with a valuable opportunity to make significant progress towards sustainability goals.
This shift not only helps meet environmental standards but also offers a practical solution to improve air quality.
Electrifying airport ground fleets is a key step in reducing emissions, as ground handling equipment and airside vehicles make up a large portion of an airport’s environmental footprint.
The benefits of going green extend beyond ground vehicles.
When aircrafts are parked at airports, switching from engine power to an external electricity supply can significantly reduce noise and air pollution.
This change not only helps improve air quality but also lowers the overall climate impact of aircrafts during stationary periods.
Airports can supply this external electricity through fixed or mobile ground power units.
The DOKUN project is upgrading Kaunas Airport to make its infrastructure fit for military purposes and category 1E and 1D aircraft.
Making infrastructure fit for military use
Military mobility is an EU initiative to ensure swift and seamless movement of military personnel, materiel and assets – including at short notice and at large scale – within and beyond the EU. It aims to create a well-connected network, with shorter reaction times, and secure and resilient infrastructure.
CEF Transport also supports military mobility projects to upgrade key transport infrastructure for both civilian and military purposes.
For air transport, this includes upgrading airport infrastructure to accommodate military aircraft. The work involves extending and widening taxiways and aprons, adapting service roads, and ensuring the airport is operational around the clock.
So far, CEF Transport has invested over €156 million in 13 air transport projects that are currently being implemented.
