We are pleased to share the official summary of our recent WIND 2026 conference, which took place in the historic city of Dubrovnik. The event served as a major platform for airport executives, technology providers, and academics to discuss future trends, operational challenges, and strategic solutions for the aviation sector in the Central and Eastern European (CEE).
Here are the main insights from the key sessions of the conference:
Ground Mobility: Digital Transformation with Uber
The conference opened with a keynote presentation titled “Uber in Aviation”, delivered by Morena Simatic, Country Manager for Croatia & Slovenia at Uber. The session focused on how digital mobility solutions can optimize passenger flows and reduce infrastructure pressure.
- The Challenges: Airports face growing operational difficulties, including curb congestion, long waiting times, and passenger confusion within pickup zones.
- The Solutions: Effective integration requires structured pickup zones, improved digital and physical navigation, and flight-integrated ride reservations that update in real-time.
- Key Takeaway: True innovation is not just about adding new technology; it is about designing intuitive, predictable, and stress-free systems for passengers from the moment they exit the terminal.
Balancing Automation and the Human Touch
The first panel discussion, moderated by Ada Aukje Engel (Flight Deck Consultancy), addressed a fundamental question: How do we keep aviation innovative without losing the human touch?
The panel featured industry experts: Anna Midera (CEO of Łódź Airport), Fatos Erendemir (SITA), Karla Orban (Coventry University Wrocław), and Tamara Fleuti (Hill International). While the speakers acknowledged that AI and integrated systems are rapidly transforming areas like security and baggage handling, they strongly emphasized that technology should support employees, not replace empathy.
Key takeaways from the panel included:
- Passengers remember positive emotions and experiences far longer than digital systems.
- Direct human interaction remains essential during high-stress situations or flight disruptions.
- Regional airports must continue to invest heavily in leadership, staff well-being, and professional training alongside their IT upgrades.
A Practical Perspective: To illustrate these points, Anna Midera shared a case study from the implementation of the new Entry/Exit System (EES). A long queue was building up at the airport because an elderly passenger had difficulties using the automated technology, blocking the passage. An airport employee approached the passenger with empathy and assisted her calmly. This professional, stress-free intervention quickly resolved the issue and restored the flow of the queue.
Anna also asked the audience a key question regarding customer service strategy: “What do you remember after you land?” For her, it is always a smiling girl at the airport. This example proves that direct human contact and kindness remain essential for the passenger experience across our region.
Branding the Gate of Dubrovnik: Creating a Regional Leader
A highly engaging 1-on-1 session titled “Branding the Gate of Dubrovnik: Creating a Regional Leader” featured Marina Ruso Mileusnić (Dubrovnik Airport) and Mila Marina Burger (Filburg).
The discussion highlighted how regional airports can leverage their unique local identity to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
- Cultural Heritage as an Asset: The speakers explained that cultural heritage should be treated as a competitive asset rather than an operational constraint.
- They presented the strategic process behind naming and branding an airport successfully without relying solely on the geographical destination name. The development of the corporate slogan “Gate of Dubrovnik” serves as a prime example of solving concrete spatial and communication problems through smart, distinctive branding.
SITA Innovation Overview
Following the opening panel, Laurence Lafont from SITA delivered a keynote presentation focused on supporting passenger experience through modern airport operational systems. The session demonstrated how integrating smart operational data helps regional airports predict passenger flows, reduce bottlenecks, and make journey transitions smoother, effectively connecting technology with day-to-day operations
Routes Development: Ideas for Regional Airports
The second panel, moderated by Tatsiana Andrushka (Director of Business Development, Wrocław Airport), gathered representatives from key regional hubs, including Liene Freivalde (Riga International Airport), Nina Vojcic (Pula Airport), Klaudia Kretowicz (Wrocław Airport), Ana Hrnić (Dubrovnik Tourist Board), and Lucijana Bokarica (Dubrovnik Airport). The experts discussed localized marketing support, creative incentive schemes, and the ongoing operational challenges presented by Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) across the CEE and Balkan region.
Keynote: Hybrid Resilience – Preparing for Asymmetric Threats
Milda Šmitaitė, Partner and Attorney at Law at SKYBRIDGE, delivered a powerful and eye-opening keynote presentation on “Hybrid Resilience – Preparing for Asymmetric Threats”.
She focused on the legal, financial, and operational vulnerabilities that modern airports face beyond traditional security perimeters.
- The Threat Landscape: Milda discussed the growing complexity of asymmetric risks, including the severe disruptions caused by unauthorized drone activity and the constant threat of cyber warfare, noting that some regional airports face up to two major cyberattacks daily.
- Personal Liability for Executives: A critical point of her presentation centered on recent legislative changes (such as amendments to the cybersecurity law in Poland). These new regulations introduce strict, personal financial liability for airport board members if security and cybersecurity measures are found to be insufficient. Her message was clear: security is no longer just a technical issue, but a core governance responsibility that requires constant penetration testing, legal compliance, and executive oversight.
Addressing Emerging Security and Cyber Threats
The final segment of the conference focused on the complex, asymmetric security threats facing modern regional airports.
- Drone Detection: A single unauthorized drone can disrupt airport operations and close airspace for 30 minutes. Case studies from Brussels Airport demonstrated the value of multiband drone detector sensors, which recorded 261 tracks and detected 110 unique drones over a seven-day testing period.
- Advanced Monitoring: To manage physical obstacles around airport perimeters, advanced operational systems now use satellite data and LiDAR to analyze object shadows and measure heights in real-time.
- The Growth of Cyber Warfare: Cybersecurity is now a daily priority, with some regional airports experiencing up to two major cyberattacks per day. The panel noted that new legal amendments (for example, in Poland) introduce strict personal financial liability for board members if security measures fail.
- Military-Civilian Synergy: The experts discussed the unique challenges of “divided airports” that host both military and civilian operations. While a military presence increases sensor capabilities, it can complicate commercial and business security during times of escalation.
Conclusion
To stay ahead of modern operational and security challenges, the aviation community in the CEE region must embrace advanced technology and harmonized regulatory standards. However, technological solutions must always be balanced with rigorous staff training, penetration testing, and a strong focus on the human factor.
We would like to thank our host airport, our excellent moderators, panellists, and all participants for making WIND 2026 in Dubrovnik a highly productive and successful event.
