KLM Fleet Lab
Integrated Fleet Decision Support
Simulation-led decision support for future fleet choices across maintenance, operations, and network planning.
My mission
I work at the intersection of engineering, artificial intelligence, and complex systems.
My career spans aerospace manufacturers, airlines, universities, research institutes, and public organisations. Across these environments, I have focused on one recurring challenge: turning emerging technologies into practical solutions that improve how complex systems are designed, operated, and maintained.
Today, my interests centre on trustworthy AI, digital twins, optimisation, future mobility, and the broader role of technology in shaping resilient and sustainable industries. Through research, industrial programmes, and international collaborations, I aim to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world implementation.
I serve on EASA’s Rulemaking Committee on Trustworthy AI (RMT.0742), I lead the Diagnostics & Prognostics Working Group of the Independent Data Consortium for Aviation (IDCA), and I am an expert for the European Commission, alongside roles on advisory boards, editorial boards, and international working groups.
Selected Initiatives & Impact
Epic Games | KLM BlueLabs
Digital Twin for Airline Operations
Simulation and operational intelligence for more predictable aircraft turnaround performance.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Trustworthy AI for Aviation
Contributing to the regulatory and technical foundations for safe, explainable, and certifiable AI in aviation.
Bright Sky Consortium | Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Predictive Maintenance & Prognostics
Using data-driven diagnostics and prognostics to reduce disruption, waste, and unnecessary maintenance.
Airbus | Safran Aircraft Engines
Aerothermal Modelling of the CFM LEAP-1A Engine
Physics-based modelling of turbine cooling and heat transfer for next-generation aircraft propulsion.
News
Current Roles & Leadership
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Senior Technical Innovation Lead
(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.
EASA — European Union Aviation Safety Agency
Independent Expert in New & Emerging Technologies; Rulemaking Task 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.
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, and MTU Aero Engines.
- I co-developed the €24M Bright Sky Consortium and contributed to the faculty's research strategy.
Speaking Engagements
Delivered more than forty invited talks, keynotes, lectures, and expert panel contributions across airline strategy, the future of aerospace, emerging technologies, and trustworthy AI.
The continuum of compute: AI and data modernisation
Quantum Global 2026, The Economist · London, UK
Innovation Beyond AI: What is Next
EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub · Paris, France
Revolutionising aerospace with trustworthy AI
Aviation Technology Forum · Guangzhou, China
Towards Net-Zero Aviation with AI
Georgia Institute of Technology · Atlanta, USA
AI for Aviation MRO
Responsible AI Series, The Alan Turing Institute · UK
Academic Background
PhD, Computational Engineering
Turbine Cooling and Heat Transfer Modelling for Gas Turbine Performance Simulation.
MSc, Thermal Power — Aerospace Propulsion
Graduated with Distinction.
Dipl. Eng., Mechanical Engineering
Specialisation in Energy and Aeronautics.
Insights & Interviews
Conversations, interviews, podcasts, and expert commentary on aerospace, artificial intelligence, engineering, and future technologies.
Industrial & Academic Consortia
Bright Sky
Innovations in predictive maintenance, MRO, security, and training.
HECARRUS
Hybrid-electric small commuter aircraft conceptual design.
ReMAP
Real-time condition-based maintenance for adaptive aircraft maintenance planning.
CIMPLO
Cross-industry predictive maintenance and dynamic scheduling platform.
Data Mining in MRO
Data analytics and predictive maintenance in aviation MRO operations.
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed papers, conference proceedings and book chapters on predictive maintenance, diagnostics & prognostics, trustworthy AI, and gas turbine modelling.
Apostolidis, A.; Donckers, S.; Peijnenburg, D.; Stamoulis, K.P. “Electric Aircraft Operations: An Interisland Mobility Case Study. Aerospace 2024, 11, 170.
Apostolidis, A., Bouriquet, N., Stamoulis, K.P., “AI-Based Exhaust Gas Temperature Prediction for Trustworthy Safety-Critical Applications”, Aerospace 9 (11), 722.
Kefalas, M., Baratchi, M., Apostolidis. A., van den Herik, D., and Bäck, T., “Automated Machine Learning for RUL Estimation of Aircraft Engines”, IEEE ICPHM 2021, Detroit, MI, USA.
Apostolidis, A., Pelt, M., Stamoulis, K.P., “Aviation Data Analytics in MRO Operations: Prospects and Pitfalls”, PHM Society RAMS 2020, Palm Springs, CA, USA.
Kefalas, M., Limmer, S., Apostolidis, A., et al., "A Tabu Search-based Memetic Algorithm for the Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Problem", GECCO 2019, Prague, Czechia.
About me
I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece, and over the last seventeen 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.
Contact & Collaboration
I welcome conversations and collaborations around aerospace, artificial intelligence, engineering innovation, applied research, speaking engagements, advisory roles, and strategic technology initiatives.
Whether you represent industry, academia, government, media, or the non-profit sector, feel free to get in touch.
