Sidara Voices & Visions
A Conversation with Chris Runde, Vice President of Aviation at Introba
Fresh from Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference in London, Chris Runde shares his perspective on the evolving challenges shaping the aviation sector. As Vice President of Aviation at Introba, Chris Runde works closely with airport operators to address these complexities. For him, the focus goes beyond expansion—toward future-proofing assets, improving passenger experience through targeted interventions, and building more resilient, data-informed operations. In this edition of Voices & Visions, Chris shares his perspective on how digital transformation, AI, and spatial data are shaping the future of aviation, and why a more human-centered, place-driven approach is essential to creating airports that function not only as infrastructure, but as destinations in their own right.
Chris Runde Vice President of Aviation at Introba
You have seen a lot of change in the sector throughout your career. What would you say are the biggest challenges clients are facing today?
"The aviation sector is a lot more dynamic that many people think when they’re on the outside. Perhaps the biggest challenges facing airport is passenger volumes. These have seriously rebounded since Covid and are putting capacity under strain worldwide, triggering a surge in capital projects. But the real challenge isn’t expansion, it’s future-proofing. Airports are making investments expected to last 50–100 years while technology is evolving at unprecedented speed. That’s a lot to handle all at once."
“Improving passenger information is one of the fastest ways to drive value.”
When you speak to airport operators, what are they most looking to in terms of investment that will make a difference quickly?
"Improving passenger information is one of the fastest ways to drive value. AI-powered virtual agents help travelers navigate retail, dining and services, increasing non-aeronautical revenue while improving experience. Dynamic parking pricing is another proven approach, such as what they have done in Manchester Airport in the UK. Aligning pricing with demand and enabling reservations and premium options allows airports to generate significant revenue from existing assets while improving convenience. These targeted interventions – not just large-scale transformations – can deliver measurable impact."
And what about things they may have missed? Are there opportunities out there that many haven’t woken up to yet?
"Most definitely. Spatial data is a blind spot for many airports. They often lack a unified, high-resolution map of their campus, from landside transport flows to terminal interiors and airfield operations. Without this foundation, optimization is limited. Investing in spatial mapping can improve passenger wayfinding, faster maintenance response and improved operational coordination. It’s not simply a technology upgrade — it’s about organizing data so innovation can occur, and it’s not hugely expensive."
“Identify specific problems, pilot targeted solutions and scale what works.”
There’s a lot of hype that surrounds digital transformation and rates of failure are high. How can we build more certainty into what we are investing in and why?
"Hype and technological trends have always gone hand in hand. And, admittedly, it’s hard sometimes to see where the value really is. For me, I’d say start with operational needs, not technology. Identify specific problems, pilot targeted solutions and scale what works. And, you must also be willing to stop initiatives that fail to deliver value. When it comes to improving certainty, incremental adoption reduces risk. Many airports, for example, are migrating discrete functions to the cloud rather than committing wholesale. This builds capability while protecting operations and means it’s a safer bet for all involved."
Are there any airports that are working in a particularly innovative way, and what could others learn from them?
"The amount of new thinking in aviation is one of the reasons I get out of bed in the morning. For me, Miami International Airport stands out. Innovation isn’t just a process or a tech solution, it’s treated as a leadership priority, with a standing executive council that sponsors and evaluates initiatives. Crucially, they accept failure as part of progress and stop projects that don’t meet defined success criteria. Transformation is as much cultural as technological as it doesn’t matter how sophisticated the solutions are that you implement, if they don’t meet the needs of the people who use the airport and work there."
Miami International Airport, United States
We hear so much in the industry about the importance of passenger experience, but the reality of air travel can be stressful and physically demanding. What can we do to improve this?
"Well, we may take them for granted but getting millions of people to pass through a terminal to cities across the world day after day is a monumental feat. When it comes to the passenger experience itself, I think we’re on the cusp of seeing a very seismic change. The way many airports are investing in AI is poised to make a huge difference. From booking, a digital concierge will guide decisions — whether to drive, use rideshare or adjust departure time — based on preferences and real-time conditions. It would integrate parking, security, boarding and connections into a single, personalized journey. The technology is close."
Changi Airport, Singapore
You are a regular traveler. If you could change one thing about air travel what would it be?
"I’d emphasize sense of place. Airports like Nashville and Singapore Changi create memorable experiences that reflect local culture with fun shows and exhibitions of local music and culture within the terminal building. When you touchdown in Nashville, you feel like you’ve arrived from the second you step inside the terminal. But, too many airports feel interchangeable and clinical in design. The future airport should be an extension of the city, not just a point of departure, but a destination in its own right."
As the aviation sector faces rising passenger demand, rapid technological change, and increasing pressure to future-proof infrastructure, this edition of Voices & Visions features Chris Runde, Vice President of Aviation at Introba, sharing his perspective on the evolving airport landscape. To explore Chris’ insights on how digital transformation, AI, and data-driven strategies are shaping more efficient, resilient, and passenger-focused airports, connect with him on LinkedIn and join the conversation.
Chris Runde
Vice President of Aviation at Introba
