Beyond the Gates: Security Also Travels on the Ground

From digital innovations to smart control systems, every step toward a safer and more sustainable future also depends on the precision of printing.

Is Traveling Today Really Safer?

Every year, millions of people pass through airport gates without realizing how complex the security network that protects them truly is.
In recent years—especially after the pandemic—technologies related to travel planning, flow control, and safety have evolved at an unprecedented pace, driving the entire sector toward a level of digitalization never seen before.

Yet, despite these advancements, risks remain just around the corner. Scams, fraud, and data breaches still threaten to turn the pleasure of traveling into an obstacle course.
As technology reshapes the way we move, cybercriminals are evolving too, leading to an ongoing race toward more advanced security measures.
Airports, more than any other place, have become the perfect testing ground for the technologies of the future.

Innovation Runs Between the Gates

With the constant increase in global air traffic, security has taken on an even more central role. Airports around the world are investing in advanced technologies to ensure greater efficiency and protection for both passengers and staff. The introduction of intelligent systems is now crucial—it enables faster decisions, better risk management, and a smoother, more engaging travel experience. Among the key innovations are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. These technologies can, for example, detect unattended baggage, unauthorized access, or unusual behavior with greater accuracy. At Singapore Changi Airport, AI-based surveillance systems are accelerating security checks by up to 50% compared to traditional processes. Similarly, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has implemented predictive models and digital tools that helped avoid over 4,000 minutes of passenger flow congestion in 2024.

Biometrics and automation are also transforming the airport experience. Facial recognition, iris scans, and fingerprint verification allow for fast, accurate identity checks, limiting access to restricted areas and reducing human contact. According to a survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), around 46% of travelers have already used biometric systems in airports, and 73% prefer them over traditional methods.

When Ransomware Shuts Down Airports: The ARINC MUSE Case

Despite recent technological progress, cyberattacks—often complex and well-structured—remain a significant threat whose consequences are often underestimated. On September 20, 2025, a ransomware attack crippled the MUSE system by Collins Aerospace, a platform managing check-in and boarding operations in airports such as Brussels, Dublin, and London Heathrow. Within hours, terminals were filled with stranded passengers: hundreds of flights canceled, tens of thousands of travelers affected, and estimated financial losses exceeding €20 million across airlines and airports.

The attack exposed the fragility of the aviation digital ecosystem: one compromised supplier can paralyze half of Europe. Experts described it as a textbook supply-chain attack, made possible by outdated legacy systems, obsolete VPNs, and poor network segmentation between operational and service layers. In practice, a single vulnerability allowed the malware to spread quickly across shared servers.

Beyond the chaos and economic damage, the incident underscored the urgent need for modern infrastructure, offline backups, and zero-trust strategies. But the ultimate defense remains human: training, awareness, and clear procedures. In cybersecurity, technology protects only as effectively as the people who manage it.

Protecting the Planet

In recent years, some airports have distinguished themselves not only for their ability to handle increasing passenger volumes but also for their commitment to environmental sustainability. For instance, Rome Fiumicino Airport inaugurated a 22 MWp solar farm with 55,000 solar panels. The installation generates over 30 million kWh per year, reducing the airport’s CO₂ emissions by more than 11,000 tons annually. Similarly, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) completed two LED lighting projects, replacing 21,000 lights throughout the terminal—equivalent to the energy use of over 200 homes and a reduction of 86 tons of carbon per year for that segment alone.

According to another IATA report, aircraft ground operations—taxiing, rolling, and use of the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit)—account for nearly 8% of total aircraft emissions. This demonstrates that efficiency is not only achieved in the air but also on the ground, through optimized airport management.

These examples show how airport sustainability is becoming a concrete operational priority. It’s no longer just about “doing less harm” to the environment, but about rethinking processes, infrastructure, and technology to create value—for passengers, local communities, and the companies that operate within the industry.

Technology and Responsibility: The Journey Continues on Paper

Security and sustainability are no longer separate goals—they are two sides of the same vision: making every journey more efficient, conscious, and human.

Custom works in this direction by developing solutions that merge technological innovation with environmental responsibility. One example is VeriPrint®, a technology that verifies in real time whether the data sent to the printer matches what has actually been printed, through an integrated scanning and control system. (www.custom.biz/it_IT/articolo/veriprint)

The company’s experience in the aviation industry has led to the creation of technologies that reduce management costs. These include auto-calibration systems for boarding-pass printers that eliminate paper waste during roll replacement, and RFID technology for baggage tracking. Direct RFID printing on baggage tags allows monitoring of every stage of a bag’s journey, minimizing loss or delay risks while supporting IATA RES 753 compliance and advancing airport sustainability.