Newsroom

The much-anticipated inter airport Southeast Asia (IASEA) 2025 has officially opened at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, bringing together key airport industry stakeholders, global solution providers, and leading experts to shape the future of airport operations and passenger experience.

Themed “Airport Operations for Tomorrow”, the event addresses critical conversations as the aviation industry undergoes rapid transformation, with global passenger traffic projected to reach 19.5 billion by 2042.

The opening day set an exciting tone with thought-provoking discussions and visionary insights from industry leaders. A fireside chat on ‘Reshaping Global Airport Operations’ featured Patrick Ky, CEO of the International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI), and was moderated by Glory Wee, Senior Director, Aviation Development Group, Civil Aviation Authority Singapore (CAAS).

The discussion explored the fundamental shifts in airport operations and the necessity for airports to balance efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. When asked about a game-changing technology for the industry, Ky highlighted the importance of data-sharing innovations but acknowledged that regulatory aspects and airport willingness to collaborate would take time to develop.

“It is clear from our discussion that reshaping airport operations is not just about technological advancements but also about setting standards, ensuring data integrity, fostering collaborations, and sharing best practices. Above all, the industry needs to build trust among partners and ecosystem players,” said Glory Wee.

Leading airports, including Narita International Airport Corporation and Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), presented case studies on technological integrations, regional growth strategies, and efforts to enhance passenger experience. S

Shinichiro Motomiya, General Manager of Narita International Airport Corporation, introduced the ‘New Narita Airport’ expansion project for the 2030s, which includes extending an existing runway, constructing a new runway, improving city connectivity, building a new cargo area, and consolidating operations into a single terminal.

This expansion is expected to increase Narita International Airport’s passenger capacity from 57 to 75 million and cargo capacity from 2.4 to 3.5 million tonnes.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth, with domestic travel projected to increase by over 20% between 2023 and 2027. To accommodate this, Nguyen Dang Minh, Director of Airport Operations Department, ACV, outlined the Vietnam Airport Development Masterplan 2030, which will equip 30 airports with a combined capacity to handle 275.9 million passengers and 4.1 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030.

By 2050, the network will expand to 33 airports, ensuring 97% of the population has access to an airport within 100 kilometres. The estimated total investment for this development is 420,000 billion VND.

A key component of this transformation is the Long Thanh International Airport project, positioned as a national aviation hub and one of the region’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. The project consists of three phases: Phase 1 (2025) will complete Terminal 1 with two runways and a cargo terminal, accommodating 25 million passengers.

Phase 2 (2025-2030) will add Terminal 2, increasing capacity to 50 million passengers. Phase 3 (2035-2040) will see two additional runways and terminals, bringing the total capacity to 100 million passengers.

IASEA 2025 welcomes a delegation from major international airports in Vietnam, including Long Thanh International Airport, Noi Bai Airport, Danang Airport, Cat Bi Airport, Phu Quoc Airport, and Cam Ranh International Terminal. Nguyen Cao Cuong, Deputy General Director of ACV, emphasised the importance of this participation.

He said: “Under the direction of the Prime Minister of Vietnam, ACV’s delegation is actively seeking high-quality, potential partners in technology, equipment, and airport operations to accelerate the completion of Long Thanh, ensuring it meets the highest international standards.

“This event allows us to explore cutting-edge technologies and advanced management models while discussing strategies for the collective growth of airport networks in Southeast Asia.”

Over three days, IASEA 2025 will showcase groundbreaking discussions and innovations redefining efficiency, sustainability, and automation in ground handling and airport logistics. A key milestone was announced as CW Aero Services signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Goldhofer AG to become a hub for Goldhofer GSE product lines in the Asia Pacific region.

CW Aero Services will promote Goldhofer GSE products across Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines while offering commissioning services, repair and maintenance work, and spare parts supply. This strategic partnership signifies a commitment to advancing ground support equipment in the region.

Industry leaders are unveiling next-generation solutions designed to optimise airport operations, enhance energy efficiency, and streamline airside activities. One of the most anticipated product debuts comes from FastCharge GSE, which recently launched the Enatel eGSE Charger.

This cutting-edge charging solution, designed for electric ground support equipment, boasts world-leading 97.6% efficiency, minimising energy waste, optimising charging times, and reducing vehicle downtime, setting a new benchmark in airport electrification.

Meanwhile, Oshkosh AeroTech has introduced two electric ground support vehicles to the Asian market at IASEA 2025—the LEKTRO 88i electric aircraft tug and the B80 electric pushback tractor.

These vehicles are designed to enhance airport efficiency, sustainability, and safety while reducing operational costs. The B80 pushback tractor, in particular, was built for heavy-duty operations, delivering high torque, all-wheel drive, and advanced energy management for efficient pushbacks of both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

As IASEA 2025 unfolds, industry professionals can expect more exclusive product showcases, expert-led conference sessions, and networking opportunities that shape the future of airport operations across Asia.

All trade professionals attending the event will have free access to the exhibition and conference floors. For the latest updates, visit the event website or follow IASEA on LinkedIn and Facebook.