Javier Marín is currently Executive Vice Chairman at Aena and Managing Director at Aena Internacional. He is also Chairman of Aena Brazil. As Executive Vice Chairman, he oversees the Aviation business unit, the Commercial and Real Estate business unit, the Innovation, Sustainability and Client Experience Directorate, the IT and Digitalisation Directorate, as well as Aena’s international subsidiaries. He was President of ACI EUROPE and is currently a member of its Executive Committee. He is also a Board Member of ACI World.

Jordi Valls Riera, 4th Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council, leading the area of Economy, Housing, Finance and Tourism. He has a degree in Law from the University of Barcelona and for years worked as a lawyer. He was mayor of Manresa from 1995 to 2006. In 2006 he was Minister of Labor and Industry of the Catalan Government. From 2007 to 2020 he held senior management positions, at the Port of Barcelona and the French company Suez. He has been general manager of Mercabarna.

Justin Erbacci is Director General of Airports Council International (ACI) World, a role he took on in September 2024. He is a seasoned aviation leader, previously serving as Chief Executive Officer of Airports at NEOM and Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). During his time at LAWA, he held multiple executive roles spanning operations, IT, and commercial strategy. Earlier in his career, he led customer experience and technology at Star Alliance and held senior IT roles at Credit Suisse and United Airlines.

Olivier Jankovec became Director General of ACI EUROPE in September 2006, having first joined the organisation earlier that year as Director of Strategy and Communications. He brings extensive experience in governmental and regulatory affairs, having worked with Alitalia, Air France, and the European Commission’s Air Transport Directorate. He has also contributed to EU aviation policy groups and serves on the Advisory Board of the World Tourism Forum. A French-Croatian national, Olivier speaks several languages.

Nicolas Deviller is a senior executive with over 20 years of experience in the airport and infrastructure sector. Since January 2024, he has served as CEO of AIG, operator of QAIA in Amman, Jordan, handling over 9.78 million passengers annually under the Groupe ADP network. He is also a Board Member at ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East and formerly held leadership roles within Groupe ADP and TAV Airports, overseeing 15 airports across several countries. His earlier roles include CEO of VINCI Airports Cambodia and Director of International Road Operations at VINCI Concessions.

Maddalena Spreafico works as Innovation and Funded Initiatives Manager at SEA Milan Airports. Since joining the aviation industry in 2020, she has held roles in quality, continuous improvement, and innovation. She leads initiatives focused on AI, automation, robotics, passenger experience, and operational excellence, while managing funded projects and strategic partnerships. Holding a degree in Management Engineering and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, she is passionate about turning innovative ideas into tangible value.

Chris Peeters joined Bnode in 2023; he later also became Chief Executive Officer of Bpost, one of the business units. He is leading a thorough transformation from a national postal operator towards an international parcel-sized logistics group active in Europe, North America and Asia. Previously, he was also at the head of Elia Group, which grew into one of the most innovative European grid operators. He also worked at McKinsey and Schlumberger.

Emanuele Calà has been Senior Vice President Transformation & Technology at Aeroporti di Roma since August 2024. He joined the Atlantia Group, now Mundys, in 2004, holding positions of increasing responsibility across Autostrade per l’Italia and Aeroporti di Roma in business controlling, programme management, quality and innovation. Having led ADR’s Innovation and Quality functions from 2020, he now oversees the company’s broader quality, transformation and technology agenda. He holds a degree in Business Administration from LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome.

Vera Jakobsen has been Vice President Digital at Munich Airport since 2022. With a strong passion for innovation and transformation, she drives strategic digital initiatives across the airport. Her areas of focus include artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and autonomous mobility solutions, supporting Munich Airport’s vision of becoming a leading smart airport.

George Fanthome is the Chief Technical Officer at Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), leading ICT, Digital, Innovation, E&M, and large capital expansion programmes. His strategic focus is on “phygital” infrastructure, operationalising Total Airport Management (TAM) through Digital Twins and GenAI to drive efficiency and sustainability. He has led BLR Airport to global recognition and excellence in digital transformation. He also serves on the SITA Council and Cisco Customer Advisory Board.

Pablo Lopez Loeches is Head of Ideation & Entrepreneurship Division at Aena. He contributes to the design and execution of the company’s innovation strategy, leading cross-functional projects with business impact and managing open innovation and external collaboration programmes. He has worked at Aena for more than eight years within the Innovation and Customer Experience unit, supporting digital transformation, customer centricity and sustainability initiatives. He was Chairman of the ACI Europe Innovation Forum from 2022 to 2024. Previously, he worked at Airbus.

Eun-Jeong Seo, leads a comprehensive AI transformation at Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC). She combines over 26 years of business acumen with deep operational expertise to drive airport innovation. Since joining IIAC in 1999, she has modernized operations through smart ecosystems and automation. Currently, she spearheads AI-driven initiatives and breakthrough strategies to set new global benchmarks for operational efficiency and passenger experience.

Thorsten Astheimer has an engineering degree in aviation and extensive experience in the aviation industry, including airport operations and planning, airport ATC, and airside system and infrastructure development. In 2025, after 27 years in various roles with Fraport AG, Thorsten joined ADB SAFEGATE as Director Sales & Business Development, working with airports on innovative operational and technical solutions for their operational issues, as well as enhancing the company’s technology portfolio. Since 2011, he has been teaching Aviation Management at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Samuel C. Ehrati is a Senior Project Leader in the Aviation department at Zurich Airport. With over 15 years of experience in aviation, he brings in-depth knowledge of airport infrastructure and process development, project management, and leadership. In his current role as Senior Product Manager AOP at Zurich Airport, he is responsible for the integration of an airport system-wide situational awareness platform (AOP) to further optimise control processes and improve efficiency.

Philip has 12 years of experience in the aviation industry. His areas of focus include analysing passenger traffic trends, airport financial performance, commercial development, and infrastructure development projects in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Additionally, Philip provides region-specific insights to complement ACI’s global advocacy strategies and policy positions. Prior to joining ACI, he held various operational and customer service positions at Singapore Airlines and served as an Aircraft Dispatch and Station Control Officer at Hong Kong International Airport.

Nikos Papagiannopoulos is Head of Business Digital & Innovation Services at Athens International Airport (AIA), where he leads digital transformation, innovation, and the adoption of emerging technologies across airport operations. He has extensive experience in aviation innovation and in managing Horizon Europe and SESAR research projects. Nikos holds an MSc and an MBA, as well as several certifications, including CISA and PMP. He is a recognised contributor and thought leader in the European aviation innovation ecosystem.

With 35 years of experience in the air transport industry, Karl-Heinz has supported trailblazing activities, including research and development in Total Airport Management. Alongside his position at Zühlke, he holds various roles, including Evaluator and Adviser, Co-Chairperson, and Subject Matter Expert in several working groups.

Karin Gylin is currently Head of Strategic Development and Innovation across Swedavia’s 10 airports in Sweden. With over 18 years’ experience in technology and innovation management, and eight years at Swedavia, Karin has extensive experience in development and innovation within the aviation sector as well as other sectors. Karin drives strategic initiatives around digital transformation and AI, as well as innovation work at Swedavia.

Kristof Philips leads TCR’s Airport Solutions division, focusing on innovative and sustainable partnerships that help airports, airlines, and ground handlers operate more efficiently. With over 20 years of experience in the aviation and ground support industry, he drives growth in electrification, pooling, and smart infrastructure projects, positioning TCR at the forefront of greener global airport operations.

Mr Yiu was appointed Executive Director, Airport Operations, at Airport Authority Hong Kong in December 2022. Mr Yiu has been in the aviation industry for over 30 years. He joined Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) in 1995 and held various management positions in airport operations.

Matt Anderson is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of A&K Robotics, a company building autonomous mobility infrastructure for complex, human-centred spaces such as airports. He leads the company’s product strategy, which includes Cruz™, a self-driving mobility robot that transports passengers through high-traffic terminals, and Kineos AI, a platform for socially intelligent autonomy that enables systems to navigate crowded, unpredictable environments naturally. He is skilled at aligning technology, data, and product vision to create institution-ready advanced autonomy solutions.

Alina Henne is an Innovation & Digitalisation Manager at SAG GmbH, Stuttgart Airport’s ground handling subsidiary. She leads and supports initiatives focused on AI, automation, robotics, and operational excellence, helping to translate innovative ideas into practical applications in airport operations. With ten years of aviation experience and academic backgrounds in Aviation Management and Digital Management, she is passionate about fostering innovation, employee empowerment, and digital transformation in the airport sector.

Subin Lee has built her career in the aviation industry since 2014, working for Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), which operates 14 airports in South Korea. As Deputy General Manager of the Gimpo Airport Landside Operations Office, she has led security automation projects, including AI-powered X-ray screening and an AI service currently under development to identify prohibited items. As a member of the AI Innovation Committee, she collaborates with colleagues to integrate cutting-edge AI technologies into practical, long-term airport operations.

Szilvia Turcsik is a Senior Innovation Manager for Data and AI at Heathrow Airport, with a decade of diverse aviation experience gained at Heathrow, IAG, and London City Airport across strategy, technology, and operational roles. She holds a BSc in Economics and an MSc in Air Transport Planning and Management and is currently pursuing an MBA at Imperial Business School.

Vera Jakobsen has been Vice President Digital at Munich Airport since 2022. With a strong passion for innovation and transformation, she drives strategic digital initiatives across the airport. Her areas of focus include artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and autonomous mobility solutions, supporting Munich Airport’s vision of becoming a leading smart airport.

Aylin Alpay is Chief Marketing and Digital Officer and an Executive Board Member at TAV Operation Services, where she leads marketing, digital transformation, customer experience, and the development of integrated products and services across the company’s international operations. She also serves as Marketing and E-commerce Director within the TAV Airports Holding CCO Office. Since joining TAV in 2020, she has played a key role in shaping the company’s marketing and digital strategy across 19 countries.

Brian Tossan is the Chief Technology Officer at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), where he leads information technology and innovation, driving digital transformation and technology initiatives that enhance airport operations and the passenger experience. Prior to joining GTAA, he held senior leadership roles at General Motors, leading global innovation, vehicle software, electrification and autonomous driving initiatives. Brian holds advanced degrees from the University of Toronto, Purdue University and Indiana University.

Kirk Goodlet is Vice President at InterVISTAS Consulting, where he supports airport clients in strategic planning, passenger experience, accessibility, and facilitation. Prior to joining InterVISTAS, Kirk spent over 10 years in the aviation industry, including roles at Winnipeg International Airport (YWG) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ). He holds a master’s degree and a PhD from the University of Waterloo and is designated as an International Airport Professional (IAP) by Airports Council International (ACI) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Christiaan Hen has an impressive background in aviation. His professional trajectory took flight at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where he worked on developing and managing airport capacity. After managing terminal operations for several years, he went on to become Head of Innovation for the Schiphol Group. His decade-long experience in airport operations, development, and innovation prepared him for his next position as Chief Customer Officer and later Chief Executive Officer at Assaia International.

Jeffrey Schäfer has been an aviation geek for as long as he can remember and has turned his passion into his job. He made the transition from analyst to airside process management four years ago and combines data and process knowledge to support the integration of data and AI within airport operations through turnaround monitoring and stand allocation innovations.

Qihua Wang is EVP Strategy & AI at Lagardère Travel Retail, overseeing corporate strategy and the company’s AI transformation agenda. She works closely with executive leadership to drive growth, accelerate innovation, and shape the future of travel retail. With extensive international experience in strategy, innovation, and transformation, she is passionate about bringing together diverse perspectives, cultures, and technologies to unlock scalable business value and drive lasting organisational change.

Vanesa Calvo Alonso is an Aerospace Engineer at Aena, leading AI governance, strategy and innovation initiatives, and ensuring responsible AI adoption, regulatory compliance and digital transformation in aviation.

Steve Armitage is Head of Innovation at Heathrow, where he identifies business opportunities, develops and tests concepts for implementation, and helps advance Heathrow’s ambition to be an extraordinary, future-ready airport. His remit spans passenger, baggage, airside, and surface access operations.

Selim Bouri was appointed President, Middle East and Africa, in September 2024. He is a seasoned leader in aviation, secure communications, and technology. He has held senior roles in the aerospace, telecommunications, and security sectors, including leading Airbus’s Critical Communications and Security business across the Middle East and Africa and Asia-Pacific regions, as well as spearheading business development at leading telecommunications companies. He holds Master’s degrees in Aeronautics, Aerospace Science and Technology from ISAE-SUPAERO, and in Executive Leadership, Strategy and Business Administration from IMD.

Aidan O’Donnell joined Uber in March 2026 as Global Head of Airport Partner Operations, where he is responsible for developing strategic, long-term partnerships with airports by driving innovation, engagement, and investment. Aidan spent over a decade with the Port Authority of NY & NJ, operator of JFK, EWR, and LGA, where he held several key leadership roles, including Airport Director at EWR.

Holly Miles, Editor of International Airport Review, is a respected aviation journalist and moderator, known for providing insights into airport operations, sustainability, passenger experience, and innovation.