Between May 8-10, our co-founder and Chief Growth Officer, Jade Francine, and Senior Sales Manager, Ben Sinclair, traveled to Madrid for this year’s Passenger Terminal Expo—one of the leading events for the global aviation industry. The event brought together airport operators, infrastructure experts, and tech innovators from around the world, all with one goal: to improve how airports work for the people who travel through them everyday.

It wasn’t about flashy sales pitches. It was about conversations—on sustainability, customer experience, and the growing role of AI in airport operations. Here's what stood out to us, and how WeMaintain plays a role in the industry.

Smart Maintenance, Real Impact

Jade joined Alban Negret, Head of Innovation and Corporate Venture at Groupe ADP, for a talk on “Smart Maintenance via IoT in Paris Airports.” The session focused on how data and technology can reshape airport infrastructure—especially when it comes to safety and facilities management.

Jade and Alban walked the audience through the journey of their IoT deployment at Orly Airport, detailing key phases: identifying the right user personas, defining core challenges, evaluating ROI, and ultimately rolling out the solution. They also shed light on the dynamics of collaboration between a large corporate entity and a VC-backed tech startup—highlighting the hurdles and what made the partnership successful.

The key ingredients? Trust, open communication, and above all, a solution that delivers.
Our IoT platform, Maximize, provides real-time insights into the performance of lifts and escalators—reducing breakdowns, increasing uptime, and enhancing the traveler experience. The result: smarter maintenance and seamless collaboration.

Sustainability, Customer Experience, and AI

These three themes—sustainability, customer experience, and AI—were front and center throughout the Expo. A dedicated panel on sustainability and the environment explored a wide range of topics, from alternative fuels and ESG management in regional airports to nature-based solutions in sustainable airport design. Meanwhile, the “Technovation” track delved into how AI is set to transform both passenger experience and operational efficiency.

Across the board, airports are rethinking their impact. Energy efficiency is no longer just about planes—it now extends to terminals, infrastructure, and services. That’s where preventative maintenance comes in. At WeMaintain, we support this shift by helping airports run their critical equipment, like lifts and escalators, at peak performance through IoT-enabled predictive maintenance. The result: fewer breakdowns, lower energy usage, and longer equipment lifespans.

Customer experience was another recurring focus. Today’s travelers expect more than just functionality—they want comfort, convenience, and ease. That means everything from reliable charging stations and seamless Wi-Fi to thoughtfully designed quiet zones and clear wayfinding. When flow improves, so does the entire travel experience—and infrastructure is central to making that happen.

AI is quickly becoming a critical enabler of these improvements. From automating basic processes to analyzing foot traffic and equipment usage, it empowers operators to make faster, smarter decisions. But AI can’t function without quality data, and that starts with visibility. At WeMaintain, our IoT solution provide real-time visibility. It detects breakdowns an average of 3 hours before they are reported and accurately identify anomalies that can prevent future breakdowns. In all, helping airport teams identify and address issues before they disrupt the passenger journey.

A Ground-Level View of the Expo

This year’s Expo wasn’t built for salespeople. It was for operators, engineers, and industry leaders who wanted to dig deep into real challenges.

We met a range of suppliers—especially in baggage handling—and facility managers trying to balance integration with performance. One key message was clear: any solution they adopt has to integrate with existing systems. And it has to be reactive. Speed matters when things break down or need attention.

Another common thread? The human side of airports. How smoothly people move. How they feel while they’re waiting. Whether their needs are met—without them needing to ask.

How WeMaintain Fits In

At WeMaintain, we know that behind-the-scenes systems play a frontline role in shaping the passenger experience. Lifts, escalators, and fire safety systems might not be the first thing travelers notice—but when they fail, everyone feels it.

That’s why our approach goes beyond reactive fixes. We use predictive maintenance powered by real-time data. This means issues are flagged early—before they cause downtime. For airports, that translates to smoother operations, fewer delays, lower energy usage, and better visibility.

We’ve been building this capability in-house for the past eight years. It’s not a recent shift—it’s been central to our work from the start. Our goal has always been to stay ahead of the need, and respond efficiently when challenges arise.

Want to see it in action? Watch how our technology integrates seamlessly into passenger flow at Paris Orly Airport with Groupe ADP.

Looking Ahead

Passenger Terminal Expo made one thing clear: airports aren’t just focused on today—they’re planning for a smarter, more sustainable, and more human future. Industry initiatives like the Skytrax World Airport Awards are helping drive this progress, encouraging innovation and raising the bar for best practices across the board.

If you're responsible for airport infrastructure and want to see how it can work harder—and smarter—for your operations and your passengers, we'd love to connect.

Contact us to learn more about how WeMaintain supports airports worldwide.