PROGRAMME
The ACI Airports Innovate 2026 will bring together airport leaders, innovators, policymakers, and industry partners to explore how airports can accelerate transformation across the aviation ecosystem. Hosted by Aena, the event will focus on forward-looking airport innovation strategies and how the sector can think beyond traditional aviation boundaries.
The programme will examine how automation, robotics, and next-generation machines are redefining airport operations, and how artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful enabler of transformation. Discussions will also address how these technologies can enhance efficiency, strengthen resilience and deliver more seamless, accessible and passenger-centric airport experiences.
Bringing together perspectives from airports, technology leaders and cross-industry innovators, the event will provide a platform to exchange ideas, showcase practical solutions and explore the innovations that will define the next generation of airport operations and passenger journeys.
The organisers may adjust session schedules and timings. This page will be updated regularly to reflect any changes.
15:00 - 18:30
Delegate Registration & Exhibition Setup
MONDAY, 23 November 2026
Hilton Diagonal Mar
09:30 - 17:00
Pre-conference Workshop (more information to follow)
MONDAY, 23 November 2026
Hilton Diagonal Mar
15:00 - 17:00
World Business Partner Networking Meeting (by invitation only)
MONDAY, 23 November 2026
Hilton Diagonal Mar
19:00 - 21:00
Welcome Reception & Exhibition Opening Ceremony
MONDAY, 23 November 2026
Hilton Diagonal Mar
08:00 - 17:00
Delegate Registration & Exhibition
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Hilton Diagonal Mar, ground floor & Foyer Ballroom
08:45 - 09:00
Conference Hall Door Opening
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
09:00 - 09:30
Welcome & Keynote Addresses
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Address
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Javier Marín San Andrés
Executive Vice Chairman
Aena
09:30 - 10:15
Innovation Across the Regions
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Presentations
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Olivier Jankovec
Director General
ACI EUROPE
Stefano Baronci
Director General
ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East
Justin Erbacci
Director General
ACI World
10:15 - 10:45
CEO Panel – Airport Transformation Starts at the Top
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Panel Discussion
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Moderated by
Maddalena Spreafico
Innovation Manager
SEA Milan Airports
10:45 - 11:05
Special Address – Think Outside of the Aviation Box: Postal Services
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Address
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Foyer Ballroom
Chris Peeters
Chief Executive Officer
Bpost
11:05 - 11:25
Unveiling the ACI EUROPE Innovation Playbook
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Vera Valerie Jakobsen
Vice President Digital
Munich Airport
Emanuele Cala
Senior Vice President, Transformation & Technology
Aeroporti di Roma S.p.A
11:25 - 12:00
Networking Break
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Networking
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Foyer Ballroom
12:00 - 12:10
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #1
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
12:10 - 13:10
Developing Successful Airport Innovation Strategies
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Showcase & Panel Discussion
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Jakub Hrdina
IT Project Management Office Manager
Prague Airport
Pablo Lopez Loeches
Head of Ideation & Entrepreneurship Division
Aena
Moderated by
Holly Miles
Editor
International Airport Review
13:10 - 13:20
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #2
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
13:20 - 13:30
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #3
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
13:30 - 14:30
Networking Lunch
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Networking
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Foyer Ballroom
14:30 - 15:30
Total Airport Management – Unlocking the Next Level of Airport Operations
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Showcase & Panel Discussion
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Thorsten Astheimer
Director Sales and Business Development
ADB Safegate
Philip Kwok
Senior Manager, Economics
ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East
Moderated by
Karl-Heinz Keller
New Business Development Principal
Zühlke Group
15:30 - 16:00
Fireside Chat on the Role of Innovation in Airport Commercial Strategy & Non-Aeronautical Revenue
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
On-stage Interview
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
16:00 - 16:30
Networking Break
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Networking
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Foyer Ballroom
16:30 - 16:40
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #4
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
16:40 - 17:20
Electrifying, Decarbonising, Greening – Innovations Driving Airport Sustainability
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Showcase & Panel Discussion
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Kristof Philips
Divisional Chief Executive Officer Airport Solutions
TCR
Karin Gylin
Head of Strategic Development and Innovation
Swedavia AB Airports
17:20 - 17:30
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #5
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
20:00 - 22:00
Gala Dinner
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Networking
Museu Marítim de Barcelona
Including ceremonies:
- ACI World Airport Innovation Awards
- World Business Partner Airport Innovation Showcase
08:30 - 15:30
Delegate Registration & Exhibition
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Networking
Hilton Diagonal Mar, ground floor & Foyer Ballroom
09:00 - 09:45
Presentations by Winners of the ACI World Airport Innovation Awards
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Presentations
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
09:45 - 10:05
Special Address – Think Outside of the Aviation Box
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Address
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
10:05 - 11:00
Automation, New Machines, and Robotics
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Showcase & Panel Discussion
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Szilvia Turcsik
Senior Innovation Manager
Heathrow Airport Limited
Alina Henne
CIP Digitalisation & Innovation
Stuttgart Airport
Moderated by
Vera Valerie Jakobsen
Vice President Digital
Munich Airport
11:00 - 11:30
Networking Break
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Networking
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Foyer Ballroom
11:30 - 11:40
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #6
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
11:40 - 12:00
Special Address – Think Outside of the Aviation Box
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Address
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
12:00 - 13:00
Transforming Airport Passenger Experience – Accessibility, Digitalisation, Human Touch
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Showcase & Panel Discussion
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Aylin Alpay
Chief Marketing & Digital Officer
TAV Operation Services
Moderated by
Kirk Goodlet
Vice President
InterVISTAS Consulting
13:00 - 13:10
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #7
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
13:10 - 13:20
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #8
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
13:20 - 14:20
Networking Lunch
TUESDAY, 24 November 2026
Networking
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Foyer Ballroom
14:20 - 15:10
AI as Enabler of Airport Transformation
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Showcase & Panel Discussion
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Jeffrey Schäfer
Process Owner Aircraft Turnaround
Royal Schiphol Group
Moderated by
Vanesa Calvo Alonso
Head of the Financing and Innovative Trends Department
Aena
15:10 - 15:20
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #9
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
15:20 - 16:00
Going Beyond the Hype – What Innovations will Stand the Test of Time and Truly Impact the Future?
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Panel discussion
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
Steve Armitage
Head of Technology Design & Innovation
Heathrow Airport Limited
16:00 - 16:10
WBP Airport Innovation Showcase #10
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Presentation
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
16:10 - 16:30
Closing Remarks and Handover Ceremony
WEDNESDAY, 25 November 2026
Hilton Diagonal Mar, Ballroom A+B
