Vertical: Airports
Application: Drone-based runway inspections, perimeter security monitoring, automated maintenance reporting
Ecosystem: Croatian Airports Pioneer Private 5G Networks for Enhanced Operations and Security
Private Network: 5G
Hrvatski Telekom has unveiled an initiative to deploy private 5G networks across three major Croatian airports. The NextGen 5G Airports project encompasses Zagreb, Zadar, and Pula airports, representing a total potential investment of €5.6 million that has been submitted for co-financing under the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility program.
The project emerges from a collaborative effort between Hrvatski Telekom, infrastructure company Markoja, the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, and the participating airports. This partnership demonstrates how telecommunications providers, academic institutions, and aviation operators can work together to address the growing demands of modern air travel.
Each airport will implement tailored applications designed to address their specific operational challenges. Zagreb Airport will deploy drone technology equipped with ultra-high-definition cameras and AI-powered analytics to inspect its 188,000 square meter runway and 14 kilometers of perimeter fencing. This automated approach will enable real-time identification of irregularities and provide data-driven maintenance recommendations.
Pula Airport will focus on perimeter security enhancement through the installation of 50 UHD cameras and sensors along its security fencing, connected to AI software that detects damage and intrusions. Zadar Airport will equip its maintenance teams with rugged industrial tablets running specialized AI software, eliminating the need for staff to manually report irregularities via radio communication.
The private 5G infrastructure offers airports complete control over their network operations, from initial planning and deployment through ongoing management and future upgrades. This enables faster digitalization processes, enhanced security protocols, and improved reliability.
Boris Drilo, Hrvatski Telekom’s chief technology and information officer, emphasized the strategic importance: “Private 5G networks are becoming a key tool for improving operational efficiency, safety and innovation in everyday airport operations. As air travel continues to grow, airports must transform, and that demands digitalization across multiple dimensions.”
If the CEF application receives approval, participating airports would receive three years of free access to standalone 5G technologies, allowing them to develop advanced operational processes without upfront infrastructure investments. This arrangement reduces financial barriers while enabling airports to evaluate the long-term benefits of private network deployment.
The infrastructure will work seamlessly with artificial intelligence and machine learning systems, enabling real-time data transmission between aircraft and ground maintenance teams. Airlines operating at these airports will be able to predict potential equipment malfunctions and perform repairs more efficiently, reducing aircraft downtime and delays.
The regulatory environment in Croatia supports private 5G deployments through favorable spectrum allocation policies. Miran Gosta, director general of Croatian regulatory authority HAKOM, explained: “We are able to allocate spectrum for private 5G networks on a micro-location basis under very favorable conditions.”
