Simulation & Digital Twins
Simulation of airline operations for decision support, Computational engineering methods.
Dr Asteris Apostolidis
Research & Innovation • Aviation & Aerospace • Tech & AI
My mission
I’m a technologist working across physical and digital engineering. My work sits at the intersection of aviation, technology, strategy, and sustainability. I bring technical, managerial, and research expertise from airlines, academia, and aerospace manufacturers, and I’ve led projects spanning aircraft system design, simulation, operations, and maintenance—as well as modelling of aviation processes. I serve on EASA’s Rulemaking Committee on Trustworthy AI (RMT.0742) and lead the Diagnostics & Prognostics Working Group of the Independent Data Consortium for Aviation (IDCA), alongside roles on technical advisory boards, international working groups, and academia as a visiting scholar.
Focus Areas
Trustworthy AI
Explainability, V&V, and Data Management for safe and certifiable applications in aviation.
Predictive Maintenance
Diagnostics & Prognostics, Workscoping, RUL estimation for reduction of disruptions and waste.
News
Current Professional Appointments
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Senior Lead, Technical Innovation & Emerging Technologies
(05/2023–present, Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
- I lead the Fleet and Emerging Technologies Labs within KLM, exploring the applicability of future technologies.
- I focus on Simulation & Digital Twins, Optimisation, Data Exchange, Trustworthy AI, and Autonomy for Operations.
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Senior Research Associate; ex-Associate Professor & Lab Lead
(06/2021–present, Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
- I lead industrial research with partners like Air France-KLM, the Royal Dutch Airforce, MTU Aero Engines.
- I co-developed Bright Sky (RVO R&D Mobility Fund) and contributed to faculty strategy.
EASA — European Union Aviation Safety Agency
Independent Expert in New & Emerging Technologies; Rulemaking Committee Member
(09/2024–present, Cologne, Germany)
- I provide technical expertise in several areas around new and emerging technologies in aviation.
- I participate in the Rulemaking Task RMT.0742, overseeing the regulatory framework for AI in aviation.
Education
- PhD, Turbine Cooling and Heat Transfer Modelling for Gas Turbine Performance Simulation — Cranfield University (2014).
- MSc (Cum Laude), Thermal Power — Aerospace Propulsion — Cranfield University (2010).
- Dipl. Eng., Mechanical Engineering (Energy & Aeronautics) — Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2009).
Industrial & Academic Research Programmes
- Bright Sky — Innovations in Predictive Maintenance, MRO, Security, Training (RVO R&D Mobility Fund, 2021-2025).
- CIMPLO — Cross-industry Predictive Maintenance & Dynamic scheduling platform (NWO Smart Industry, 2017-2022).
- Data Mining in MRO — Data Analytics & Predictive Maintenance in aviation MRO (NWO / SIA RAAK MKB, 2016-2019).
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed papers, conference proceedings and book chapters on predictive maintenance, diagnostics & prognostics, trustworthy AI, and gas turbine modelling.
- "Electric Aircraft Operations: An Interisland Mobility Case Study" Aerospace (2024).
- “AI-Based Exhaust Gas Temperature Prediction for Trustworthy Safety-Critical Applications”, Aerospace (2022).
- “Aviation Data Analytics in MRO Operations: Prospects and Pitfalls” IEEE RAMS (2020).
Selected Invited Talks
- Keynote: “Revolutionising aerospace with trustworthy AI”, 11th China Aviation New Technology Forum, Guangzhou, China (2025).
- Invited Talk: "Towards Net-Zero Aviation with AI”, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA (2024).
- Panel: “Data synergy: Unlocking aviation’s potential”, World Aviation Festival, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2024).
- Invited Speaker, “Towards Sustainable, Data-driven Aircraft Maintenance“, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden (2023).
- Invited Lecture, “AI for Aviation MRO”, Responsible AI Series, IET/The Alan Turing Institute, UK (2022).
Selected Awards & Distinctions
- Scholarships and sponsorships from Cranfield University, Rolls-Royce plc and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
- Supervision for the Best Thesis award — NLF National Aerospace Funds (2022).
- Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing — Elsevier (2019).
Selected Articles
Videos
About me
I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece, and over the last sixteen years I’ve lived in the UK, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Beyond aviation, I’m a lifelong photographer -darkroom to digital- drawn to landscapes, street scenes, aircraft, and the places I travel. Music is a constant companion; I’ve been collecting records and other physical formats for more than three decades. I now live in Amsterdam, where you’ll often find me building LEGO sets with my three children or exploring science exhibitions together.
Contact
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