Airports are critical infrastructure that require continuous operation
For many people, the airport is the starting point for essential business trips, or special moments and personal highlights of the year. Holidays often start at the airport, with anticipation and excitement before departure; the airport becomes part of the experience.
For these moments to be possible, everything in the background must function reliably. Airports are highly complex, critical infrastructure that must operate reliably around the clock – at night, at peak loads, and under the highest security requirements.
Airports are much more than just runways
Many locations have grown into extensive airport cities with office buildings, hotels, shopping centres, and a variety of building types in the vicinity. Behind every trouble‑free operation is a technical infrastructure that must ensure supply, comfort, and operational reliability at all times.
Some airport locations are characterised by evolved structures with outdated technology. Extensions and modernisations, in these cases, can only be carried out step by step and during ongoing operations.
At the same time, today’s requirements for efficient use of energy, drinking water hygiene, fire protection, and resilience must be met. In parallel, there is a growing demand to implement sustainability requirements in a measurable way – on the path to becoming a Net Zero Airport or achieving building certifications such as LEED and DGNB, supported by energy‑efficient technology and reduced water consumption.
Optimise systems now
Would you like to modernise existing systems, integrate new areas, or improve the energy efficiency of your infrastructure in a targeted way?
We support you – from analysis through to operation.
Comprehensive solutions for airport operations
We view airports as interconnected overall systems with a wide variety of buildings and uses. Terminals, technical operations buildings, parking areas, office spaces, and hotels have individual requirements for supply, climate control, drainage, and safety. Our solutions cover all central areas of water and building services: reliable water supply, heating, cooling, and air conditioning, as well as safe drainage and fire-fighting water storage throughout the entire airport site.
Whether you are modernising individual terminal areas, expanding buildings, or operating complex existing structures, modular systems can be flexibly integrated into existing building management systems and can be implemented even during ongoing operations. This makes it possible to optimise energy and water consumption in a targeted way without compromising supply, safety, or comfort for travellers and employees.
More than technology: partnership over the entire lifecycle
We support airport projects from the early concept phase through design, installation, and commissioning to maintenance, optimisation, and digitalisation. We draw on our experience from complex airport projects and always develop customised solutions for diverse building structures – even where space is limited, security requirements are high, and operations are ongoing. Digital solutions for remote monitoring and control support future‑proof airport operations.
Our highlight applications for airports
Combining a wide variety of uses in a limited space needs specialist support. Our solutions are tailored to the specific operating conditions at airports.
Firefighting
Available immediately when it matters
Fire protection at airports is subject to the highest safety requirements. Fire-fighting systems must be ready for use at all times.
- High operational reliability through redundant pump systems in terminals, car parks, and technical areas
- Systems for separation of fire-fighting water and drinking water
- Transparent monitoring and documented functional safety
Wastewater collection and transport
Safe dewatering for runways and parking areas
The size of the areas and heavy rainfall events place special demands on the dewatering of airport sites.
- Reliable removal even in the case of sudden volumes of water
- Designed for continuous wastewater transport in 24/7 operation
- Support for backflow and emergency concepts
- Can be adapted to complex existing pipe networks
Water distribution and boosting
Reliable service despite fluctuating passenger numbers
Whether in terminals, hotels, or office buildings, the water supply must always function reliably, despite hourly, daily and seasonal fluctuations in passenger numbers.
- Constant pressure conditions in extensive building and piping systems
- Flexible systems for evolved and diverse building structures
- Integration into existing technical centres with limited space
- Hygienic design in compliance with regulations
Drinking water hygiene
Hygienic safety with changes in demand
Airports have very different usage times for individual areas. This makes it particularly challenging to ensure a reliable drinking water supply.
- Reduction of water stagnation during irregular use through domestic hot water circulation
- Automated flushing cycles and their monitoring help to save precious drinking water
- Adaptation to widely branched pipe networks
- Transparency for operation and maintenance
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
Comfort and reliability in 24/7 operation
Fluctuating visitor numbers, different usage zones, and continuous operation require flexible and reliable systems for heating, cooling, and air conditioning.
- Demand-oriented supply of terminals, lounges, and office space
- Stable operation with highly fluctuating load profiles
- System separation of heating and cooling networks
- Support for economical modernisation in existing buildings
- Integration into existing building management systems
Strong references. Energy-efficient airports.
Wilo is used at numerous airport locations worldwide and has extensive experience in modernising complex airport infrastructure.
Václav Havel Airport Prague, Czechia
Prague’s Václav Havel International Airport is one of the most important transport hubs in Central Europe and is located around 17 kilometres west of the city centre. Between 2019 and 2023, extensive modernisation work was carried out in heating, cooling, water supply, and wastewater technology while the airport remained in operation.
These measures involved the use of customised Wilo solutions designed for intelligent, demand‑oriented operation. Adaptive control systems allow the pump systems to adjust dynamically to the respective load, thereby supporting more efficient system operation and the responsible use of energy and resources.
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The modernisation also helps to meet current environmental and efficiency requirements. This strengthens the technical infrastructure at Václav Havel Airport Prague and underlines its commitment to gradually developing airport operations in a sustainable and responsible way.
Timișoara Airport, Romania
With the opening of the new Schengen terminal at the beginning of 2024, Timișoara Airport was specifically expanded to meet increasing demands for capacity, security, and efficiency. The terminal covers an area of around 12,000 m² and is equipped with modern handling and security technology that supports smooth daily operations.
Wilo pump solutions are used in central areas of the building services equipment. In the heating and air‑conditioning systems, speed‑controlled single and dual pumps ensure demand‑oriented operation and support energy‑efficient system operation.
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In addition, pressure‑boosting systems ensure a reliable supply to sanitary areas and the operational readiness of firefighting water systems. In this way, the technical dimensioning helps to combine high safety requirements with economical, future‑oriented operation of the new terminal.
Reliable support for airport operations
Stable operation does not end with commissioning. Our services are designed to ensure that systems are operated safely, energy‑optimised, and transparently over the long term – even under the special requirements of this critical infrastructure.
Wilo-Energy Audit
Identify untapped energy saving potential and develop customised solutions for sustainable efficiency.
Digital solutions
Intelligently control pumps, network systems end to end, and make operating data visible – for greater transparency and control in plant operation.
So that journeys can begin
Holidays. Business trips. Annual highlights.
Airports are the starting point for important moments in life. They make possible what people look forward to for a long time, what they plan, what they dream of, or what they need to do for their job. When an airport works, a journey begins. When it does not, everything comes to a standstill.
For these moments to happen, you need technology that works reliably in the background. Our solutions help to keep airport operations stable, even at high utilisation and around the clock. They help to use resources responsibly and to prepare operations for the future.
In this way, we contribute to ensuring that mobility remains reliable – for people on their way to their most important moments, and for places that connect.
FAQ | Frequently asked questions about solutions for airports
How can pump and building services systems be modernised during ongoing airport operations?
Airport modernisation projects are usually carried out step by step and without interrupting operations. This requires modular systems that can be flexibly integrated into existing structures. Careful planning, tailored to operating times, safety requirements, and individual building areas, makes it possible to renew or optimise the technology while the airport remains fully functional.
What role does energy efficiency play in the modernisation of airport facilities?
Energy efficiency is a key lever for reducing operating costs and achieving sustainability goals. Especially in existing facilities, significant savings potential can be realised through optimised control, demand‑based operation, and the replacement of inefficient technology. The decisive factor here is not only the individual components, but also the interaction within the entire building services system.
How is operational reliability ensured for critical applications such as fire-fighting water or drinking water?
In safety‑critical areas, availability and reliability are paramount. Redundant system concepts, clear separation of drinking water and firefighting water, and regular testing and maintenance processes are essential. In addition, transparent operating states and structured documentation help to identify risks at an early stage and ensure functional safety in the long term.
How can airports save water and make good use of rainwater?
Saving water is becoming increasingly important at airports, particularly due to large areas, high user numbers, and growing sustainability requirements. Saving potentials arise mainly through smart water distribution, demand‑based control, and the targeted use of rainwater for suitable applications.
Rainwater can be used, for example, for irrigation of green spaces or as service water, provided that appropriate systems are in place. In addition, automated, demand‑based flushing cycles help to save drinking water. Resource‑saving, controlled systems and stable pressure conditions help to reduce water losses and make consumption transparent.
Are the solutions also suitable for older terminals and buildings?
Yes. Evolved airport sites benefit from modular, adaptable systems. These can be adapted to different building types, space conditions, and technical standards. In this way, even older facilities can be modernised step by step and brought into line with current requirements for efficiency, hygiene, and safety.
How can sustainability goals such as Net Zero Airport or building certifications be supported?
Sustainability goals require measurable approaches. Optimal building services, reduced water consumption, and transparent consumption data form the basis for this. Targeted optimisations in existing buildings can reduce emissions and create important prerequisites for certifications such as LEED without affecting ongoing operations.
What advantages do digital solutions offer in airport operations?
Digital solutions for remote monitoring provide transparency regarding operating conditions and consumption and support economical, predictable operation.
They help to identify maintenance requirements at an early stage, make more well‑founded decisions, and gradually further develop systems. These topics are discussed separately on this page.
Get advice now
Whether you are looking to modernise, expand, or optimise your existing facilities, we can help you find the right solution for your airport.
Contact our experts