Global Airport Leaders Gather in Busan as Airports Innovate 2025 Sets the Pace for Aviation’s Next Era

Airports Innovate 2025, the premier global conference for airport technologies and operational strategies, recently took place in Busan, South Korea, gathering global leaders in airport innovation. Hosted by Korea Airports Corporation and jointly organized by ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, ACI EUROPE, and ACI World, the event brought together hundreds of industry visionaries, including airports like Heathrow, Munich, Abu Dhabi, and Incheon, plus top aviation service providers. The conference spotlighted accelerating airport transformation amid growing capacity and security challenges, focusing on redesigning passenger experience, modernizing infrastructure, and adopting digital tools for enhanced operations and resilience.

Key topics covered included smart security and next-gen screening, AI-powered airport operations, digital twins, innovations in baggage processing and tracking, cyber resilience, fostering a culture of innovation, drone-enabled deliveries, and cross-sector airport data exchange. A new Airport Innovation Showcase introduced breakthrough solutions from leading ACI World Business Partners such as ARC CAST, Nuctech, and Idemia, demonstrating practical impacts of AI-powered robotics, intelligent screening systems, and advanced data-driven decision-making tools reshaping airport operations worldwide.

ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Director General Stefano Baronci emphasized that airport innovation is essential to meeting passenger expectations for safety alongside sophisticated and personalized experiences. Innovation was highlighted as a core strategic driver alongside sustainability and diversification, promising to redefine passenger journeys, break operational silos, boost efficiency, and strengthen resilience across airports globally. The conference fostered collaboration among airport operators, technology providers, and researchers to sustain momentum in transforming aviation’s future.

Overall, Airports Innovate 2025 set the pace for the industry’s next great leap by showcasing how digital innovation and forward-thinking strategies are revolutionizing airports, making travel safer, more seamless, and more passenger-centric in response to evolving demands and operational complexities.

Key Points:

• The event gathered global airport leaders, tech innovators, researchers, start-ups, and aviation service providers to discuss and showcase innovations shaping the future of airports.
• Hosted by Korea Airports Corporation and jointly organized by ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, ACI Europe, and ACI World, it attracted over 50 expert speakers including representatives from Heathrow, Munich, Abu Dhabi, and Incheon airports.
• Core themes included smart security, AI-powered airport operations, digital twins, next-generation screening systems, operational efficiency, inclusive passenger experiences, and sustainable airport development.
• The new Airport Innovation Showcase highlighted breakthrough technologies from leading ACI World Business Partners, emphasizing AI robotics, intelligent screening, advanced data tools, and drone-enabled deliveries.