Next Evolution of Middle East Airports

Connecting the future

James Bruce, Aviation Market Director at AtkinsRéalis, talks about why the the opportunity is now for the Middle East to draw on global lessons and align transport, infrastructure, and technology strategies as airports evolve

There is more to airport connectivity than just getting passengers to the terminal. What does ‘true multimodality’ look like today, and how is it reshaping airport planning

True multimodality is about enabling passengers to shape and organise their journeys end to end—from their home, office, or hotel, to the airport and onwards to their final destination in a frictionless manner, using technology to support positive experience levels. Passengers have different priorities depending on why they are travelling. For example, a leisure traveller with family is likely to want a bespoke experience and utilise a different mode of transport compared with a business traveller who is focused on speed and getting through the airport as quickly as possible. Considering the wider ecosystem of journeys and enabling passengers to decide what theirs looks like and what experience they choose is key. This includes all modes of transport—rail, metro, micromobility, and potentially even eVTOLs as they become closer to introduction at airports such as Dubai International.

Are greenfield airports inherently better positioned to become multimodal hubs than established airports, or can legacy hubs evolve just as successfully

A greenfield airport would naturally appear to have an advantage because it allows planners to take learnings from existing airports and design an ecosystem from scratch that delivers intermodal connectivity and seamless passenger journeys.

However, it depends on several factors. The wider physical and urban environment, regional and national transport strategies and development frameworks as well as the regulatory environment of the country and governing bodies, will influence how effective planning can be—whether it is a greenfield or brownfield airport.

One of the lessons we’ve learnt from greenfield airports is how important it is to phase and develop infrastructure with the future in mind. Many brownfield airports have grown organically over the last 50 to 70 years and were not designed with today’s level of desired intermodal connectivity in mind. That said, legacy airports can evolve successfully. Heathrow is a good example of a brownfield airport that has developed strong intermodal connections, with high-speed rail, commuter rail, and underground services, as well as bus and coach services serving both passengers and airport staff.

In the Middle East, we are seeing greenfield developments, as well as existing airports using available land for future terminals, satellite facilities, and intermodal hubs. However, even greenfield projects face challenges, particularly around stakeholder alignment.

A key issue is that different transport systems are often developed separately. This is where governance and stakeholder engagement become critical. Even with a greenfield airport, everyone needs to be aligned around a common objective. The time is now to work on this objective as the expansion of Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Doha airports are being planned and designed as well as Al Maktoum airport in Dubai of course.

Digital integration is becoming just as important as physical infrastructure. How are emerging technologies changing the way airports coordinate with rail, road, and other transport networks

Technology allows airports to be positively reactive while also using data and AI capabilities to predict what may happen during disruption events. A good example is using real-time monitoring technology, predictive AI, and targeted resource planning to manage airport terminal operations alongside wider transport networks. At Stansted Airport in the UK, where I previously worked, train services, motorway traffic conditions and congestion as well as flight information were monitored in a central location utilising technology to provide real time information.

This allowed airport teams to understand how disruptions in one part of the transport ecosystem could affect passenger flows. For example, if there was a delay on the train line into the airport, teams could anticipate when passengers would arrive at check-in and security and adjust staffing levels accordingly. I have no doubt predictive AI will be making this process even more effective at improving passenger experience.

Across transportation networks to be truly multimodal we need to use real-time information to monitor, predict, and react, whether that involves staffing, facility management or providing information to passengers and stakeholders. Technology also gives passengers greater confidence. In the past, if a flight was delayed and a passenger missed a connecting train, they would have to find alternatives themselves, often in an unfamiliar location. With digital mobility platforms, passengers can receive alternative options automatically through their mobile devices, giving them greater control and comfort throughout their journey. Airport or station staff are also more informed than ever before.

Ultimately, infrastructure and digital solutions come back to one thing: providing people with the information and ability to make decisions that create seamless and frictionless journeys.

Passengers expect a seamless journey rather than separate travel legs. How close is the industry to delivering experiences such as integrated ticketing, baggage transfer, and coordinated disruption management

The industry has definitely made significant progress. The biggest challenge is creating a coordinated approach across all stakeholders, including airlines, airports, rail operators, and public transport providers.

There are already examples where passengers can purchase an airline ticket and, at the same time, book rail travel as part of the same journey. Some airports are also exploring integrated ticketing and baggage transfer solutions.

Hong Kong is a good example, with its Airport Express service offering integrated ticketing and baggage check-in at city stations. Vienna is another example where multimodal connectivity has been developed successfully.

However, regulatory approvals and stakeholder alignment remain one of the biggest barriers. Creating a seamless journey requires cooperation between multiple authorities, airlines, and transport providers. For example, enabling passengers to complete security procedures at a train station before reaching an airport requires significant approvals from multiple stakeholders authorities, not always only in the country where the operation or process exists.

The technology already exists to deliver one-ticket journeys and baggage continuity. The challenge is bringing stakeholders together and creating the regulatory framework to support it.

Looking ahead, what single change will have the biggest impact on creating truly connected airports

I don’t think there is one single change, but the factor that stands out most is governance and stakeholder collaboration.

We can have the best technology and infrastructure in the world, but unless stakeholders are aligned around a shared vision, airports and related developments may aim to become multimodal without delivering the passenger experience required to truly succeed. Physical design is also critical. Passengers need to transfer between different modes of transport easily and quickly, with minimal friction and with confidence in the journey throughout. That needs to be considered from the beginning of any project planning and design. Governance also needs to take a holistic view rather than treating different transport systems as separate projects requiring separate approvals.

Ultimately, we have forward thinking and capable architects, designers, engineers, and economists alongside rapidly developing technology. The challenge now is finding a way to connect everything together through best practice in governance and stakeholder collaboration to achieve the greatest results.

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