Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and Germany’s GATE Alliance have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on airport technology, innovation and international business development.
The agreement was signed during the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK and establishes a framework for collaboration between the two organisations. It builds on a relationship that began in 2023 and aims to support technology testing, pilot projects and market access for companies operating in the aviation sector.
chief executive officer, CVG Airport
Under the partnership, members of the GATE Alliance will gain access to CVG’s aviation ecosystem and innovation resources in the US to test and validate emerging technologies. In return, organisations connected with CVG will be able to engage with GATE Alliance’s network of airport technology companies in Germany.
Larry Krauter, Chief Executive Officer of CVG Airport, said:CVG believes innovation happens when organisations are willing to test ideas in real-world environments and learn from one another. This partnership creates a new transatlantic pathway for collaboration and strengthens connections between our region and one of the world's leading aviation markets.
A joint working group will be established to coordinate business introductions, technology demonstrations, pilot projects and potential investment opportunities. The collaboration will focus on sectors including aerospace, airport operations, automated and electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, low-emission fuels, energy infrastructure, agbioscience and life sciences.
According to the organisations, the partnership is intended to support companies seeking to validate new technologies, gather operational feedback and explore expansion into international markets.
The agreement also outlines plans to encourage investment and cooperation across the aviation and advanced technology sectors through joint initiatives and demonstration projects.
Jens Reinhard, managing director, GATE Alliance said:CVG has been a valued partner to our members for several years. This agreement creates greater opportunities for innovation, knowledge sharing and market access on both sides of the Atlantic.
CVG and GATE Alliance are expected to continue discussions at the GATE FUTURE 2026 conference in Hamburg on 21–22 October, where CVG Chief Innovation Officer Brian Cobb is scheduled to participate in the conference programme. The event marks the tenth edition of the airport innovation conference and is expected to bring together around 250 participants from the international airport technology sector.
