The aviation industry is currently facing a significant challenge: while airports generate massive amounts of data, they often struggle to unlock its full strategic and commercial value. On 26th March 2026, the PISTIS project hosted its third Living Lab, titled “Aviation Use Cases: Strategic Vision & Business Value,” to demonstrate how federated data spaces are transforming airport operations.

Led by Athens International Airport (AIA) and involving partners like Goldair Handling, OAG, and UBIMET, the session focused on breaking down data silos to create a more efficient, interconnected, and sustainable aviation ecosystem.

Transforming Operations: The Three Aviation Use Cases

PISTIS is proving its value through three targeted demonstrator use cases designed to address critical operational bottlenecks:

  • Baggage Handling Management (UC 1.1): By integrating real-time baggage data with external factors like weather forecasts, PISTIS aims for a 5% reduction in baggage delivery SLA violations. This is a crucial goal, considering that baggage mishandling costs the industry an estimated $5 billion annually.

  • Transfer Passenger Management (UC 1.2): This use case leverages predictive analytics to enhance situational awareness, targeting a 7% reduction in average flight delays caused by transfer passenger issues.

  • Aircraft Turnaround Process (UC 1.3): By synchronising turnaround milestones between airports and ground handlers, the project targets a 5% improvement in on-time departure performance. To put the business value in perspective, a mere 5-minute reduction in turnaround time can represent $11 million in annual revenue for a medium-sized airport.

Beyond Efficiency: A New Economy for Data

PISTIS isn’t just about operational speed; it’s about establishing a trusted ecosystem for secure data sharing and monetisation. The project introduces several innovative commercial models:

  • Automated Transactions: Buyers can acquire datasets immediately via an electronic wallet using “PISTIS coins,” avoiding lengthy manual negotiations.

  • Data Asset NFTs: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) can be used to certify the ownership and authenticity of data contracts, allowing for the transfer of full ownership and future revenue flows.

  • Co-Ownership Models: Stakeholders can invest in datasets, becoming co-owners and sharing the revenue when those assets are purchased by others.

Sustainability and Long-Term Impact

The long-term vision for PISTIS is to act as a “stepping stone” for future research and collaboration, such as the SESAR initiative. By fostering horizontal knowledge transfer and aligning with the European Common Data Spaces vision, PISTIS ensures that the aviation sector remains resilient and competitive in a digital-first world.

Through these innovations, PISTIS is positioning AIA as a European reference for data-space-enabled aviation, creating a blueprint for a future where data is as vital to flight as fuel and engines.