ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East, ACI Europe, and ACI World have together launched the Airports Innovate, a global aviation event centred around innovation.

At the ongoing Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airports Innovate event in Muscat, the global airport industry is set to capture the latest innovations around the theme of ‘Dynamic Think Tank – Reveal the Future.’

According to a press statement by ACI, the event is hosting about over 400 delegates, 30 exhibitors and sponsors and 60 speakers. It brings together an influential audience comprising global airport leaders and their innovation labs, aviation technology developers, airlines, Civil Aviation Authorities, industry suppliers, mobility experts, start-ups and more.

ACI says the event will encompass a wide range of topics critical to the airport industry, including Airport Design, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, Business Solutions, Green Innovation & Sustainability, Innovation Labs, Customer Experience, Digital Transformation and Infrastructure, eCommerce & Retail, electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) & Advanced Air Mobility, Facilitation & Operations, Future of Workforce, Mobility & Connectivity, Risk Management, Security & Cyber Security, Smart Cities, Metaverse, and Brand Strategy.

The statement says that in the ever-evolving landscape of airports, innovation is the driving force behind progress. ‘Airports Innovate’ is conceived to capture the essence of transformation and seeks out-of-the-box ideas.

“We are proud to host this significant event in our beautiful ancient city of Muscat. We are honoured that airport officials from the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and America come here to think outside the box to create an integrated working environment that aspires towards a bright future for the global aviation sector. Innovation has become a fundamental necessity, especially in the field of airports and travel. Our competitiveness prompts us to work towards improving the travel experience for millions of passengers who trust in our capabilities as airport operators. This gathering symbolises our shared commitment to leadership in a new era of innovative solutions, leading technologies, and cooperative strategies that will shape the future of airports worldwide,” says Sheikh Ayman bin Ahmed Al Hosni, Chair of ACI World Governing Board and CEO of Oman Airports, the host of Airports Innovate.

“Innovation is one of the three key strategic directions now followed by Europe’s airports, alongside Sustainability and Diversification. The future of the airport industry lies in the interplay of these three tenets, which are now driving and enabling our business transformation – towards a new airport value-creation model. So it is more than fitting that we join forces with our colleagues from ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East and ACI World to take stock of where airports stand and chart the way forward on innovation. I look forward to all the insightful sessions ahead of us that will surely lead to heated discussions and the formation of innovative ideas,” says Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe Director General.

‘Airports Innovate’ serves as a platform for game-changers, innovators, start-ups, and the brightest minds in technology to display their disruptive ideas and solutions, which have the potential to revolutionise the future of airports, adds the statement.