OLGA Featured in the Science4EU Campaign: Advancing the Future of Green Airports

Across Europe, airports are being reimagined—not just as transport hubs, but as living laboratories for sustainability and innovation. With the support of the European Union, scientists, engineers and innovators are testing bold new solutions to reduce emissions, protect biodiversity and make air travel greener.

We are proud to share that the OLGA project – hOListic & Green Airports has been selected to be featured in the #Science4EU campaign, an initiative that highlights the real-world impact of EU-funded research and innovation across the continent. This recognition reflects the shared commitment of our consortium and partners to shaping a more sustainable future for aviation.

From Runways to Rooftops: Airports as Innovation Testbeds

Today’s airports face major environmental challenges—from high fossil-fuel consumption to energy-intensive buildings and land use pressures. With EU support, airports across Europe are now becoming testing grounds for cleaner, smarter solutions.

At Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport, together with pilot sites in Milan Malpensa, Zagreb, and Cluj-Napoca, OLGA and its partners are exploring how airports can dramatically reduce their environmental footprint. Since 2021, these sites have served as real-world environments where innovative technologies and approaches can be tested, validated and refined.

Among the solutions currently being evaluated are:

• Low-carbon materials for runways and airport infrastructure

• Energy-smart terminals that adapt efficiently to heat and cold

• Electric ground vehicles to cut emissions from airport operations

• Biodiversity corridors and greener surroundings to better integrate airports into their natural environment

These demonstrations reflect OLGA’s holistic approach—looking at infrastructure, energy, mobility and nature together to create airports that are greener, smarter and more resilient.

Innovators in Action: Meet Yannael at Paris–Charles de Gaulle

At the heart of this transformation is the people driving it forward. One of them is Yannael Billard, Director of Sustainable Development at Groupe ADP, who is leading efforts at Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport.

“Any action we can take collectively to reduce our dependency towards fossil energy is certainly most welcome,” Yannael explains.

His team is installing photovoltaic panels on boarding bridges, converting ground support vehicles to electric power, and studying how terminal buildings respond to temperature changes—data that will help future airports minimise their energy consumption. Even the concrete used for runways is being rethought, with low-carbon alternatives now under development.

“We are in the process of creating and designing low-carbon-content equipment, materials and infrastructure to reduce the CO₂ content of everything you see in an airport.

— Yannael Billard, Groupe ADP

Sustainability Also Means Protecting Nature

Beyond energy and materials, OLGA also places strong emphasis on biodiversity. Airports cover large areas of land, making them important spaces for protecting and reconnecting ecosystems.

“When it gets warmer in summer, you appreciate some shade, some grass—an environment that is kinder to you,” Yannael notes. By supporting local flora and fauna and ensuring that water, wildlife and vegetation can move freely between airport land and surrounding areas, airports can become better neighbours to both people and nature.

A Long-Term Vision for European Aviation

The OLGA project will run until 2026, but its impact will continue well beyond that. The methods, tools and solutions tested through OLGA are designed to be replicated and scaled across Europe—supporting the refurbishment of existing airports and the design of new ones.

Being featured in the Science4EU campaign is an important recognition of the high-quality work carried out by the OLGA consortium. We sincerely thank the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation for supporting the visibility of impactful projects that contribute to Europe’s green and digital transition. We also extend our thanks to all OLGA partners and to the wider European research community for fostering collaboration and innovation.

For over 40 years, the EU has championed science, ambition and curiosity—turning research into real-world solutions that shape a better future for everyone.

The EU stands for science. Do you?

👉 Follow the #Science4EU campaign and discover how EU-funded projects like OLGA are helping to build a more sustainable Europe.