(NEWS) BRUSSELS, 2025-Dec-8 — /Travel PR News/ — Brussels Airport is marking four years as the lead test hub for Stargate, the €24.8 million sustainability initiative funded under the European Green Deal and Horizon 2020 programme. Developed in 2021 in partnership with 22 European organisations — including Athens International Airport, Budapest Airport and Aéroport de Toulouse-Blagnac — the five-year programme is trialling real-world solutions to accelerate greener operations, curb emissions and modernise airport ecosystems.
The scope of the programme extends beyond Brussels, with partner airports running their own innovation tracks. Budapest Airport, which received €1.53 million in project funding (70% EU-subsidised), is working on a cloud-based paperless cargo-handling system, alongside terminal energy-efficiency upgrades and mobility improvements. The consortium is also exploring digital-twin technology to model airport systems in 3D, informing long-term strategies referred to as the Bold 2050 Vision.
At Brussels Airport, decarbonisation remains a key pillar. A self-driving electric shuttle — the first of its kind in Belgium — has progressed to a second test phase moving staff between the terminal and car parks. Meanwhile, smart charging technology launched in 2025 dynamically manages power demand for electric rental vehicles, supporting future electrification such as the planned 328 ground-equipment charging points by 2027 under the BREEZE programme.
Ground operations innovation also includes partner-led deployments. DHL Aviation has committed to electric pushbacks, loaders, crew vans and high-loaders, part of a rollout that will make over 30% of its fleet electric. Hydrogen-powered equipment is scheduled for testing in 2026, while TaxiBots will be trialled to reduce engine-powered taxiing emissions.
The project is also driving cargo digitalisation. Brussels Airport’s Digital Green Lane, enabling fully paperless freight transfer via BRUcloud, now handles 95% of cargo movements, reducing waiting time, paperwork and emissions. Athens Airport is running a parallel pilot.
Community-linked sustainability features as a second structural pillar. At the start of 2025, 100 neighbouring households joined a year-long pilot to receive locally generated green energy from the airport’s 9,200 MWh solar output, with results to be evaluated after February 2026.
Mobility transformation forms the third focus. A multimodal travel planner ranking routes by CO₂ impact is currently available online and onsite, while a bicycle-sharing system with 48 bikes encourages sustainable commuting for the airport’s 30,000-strong workforce. Previous initiatives include the appointment of a Bike Manager, launch of carpool tools, counters to track cycling trends and staff mobility surveys.
2026 will deliver the programme’s final test phase. This includes trials with an autonomous cargo vehicle, and testing of a mobile SAF blending plant with Skytanking to prepare for high-ratio biofuel test flights. Noise and emissions impact will be continuously evaluated as part of the measurement framework.
With more than 30 sub-projects linking airlines, academia, cargo specialists and energy partners, Stargate is positioning Brussels Airport as one of Europe’s leading living laboratories for the future of low-carbon aviation.
