Global Airports Forum 2026
About the event
Global Airports Forum 2026 is an exhibition and conference series on airport development and aviation, held in Riyadh from 30 November to 1 December 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. It is the fifth edition and was previously known as the Saudi Airports Exhibition.
The forum brings together four co-located conferences: the Global Aviation Issues Conference, the Future Aviation Investment Conference, the Women in Aviation General Assembly and the Airport Design & Build Conference. The exhibition covers air traffic control and airfield services, airport build and maintenance, airport operations, airport security, technology and IT, aviation support services and government organisations. It is accompanied by the Airport Excellence Awards, a business engagement programme and a VIP buyers programme, and is aimed at airport authorities, regulators, airlines, contractors and technology providers.
Registration for visitors is free in four categories: VIP guest (subject to approval), aviation stakeholder, industry professional and student (subject to verification). All attendees need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, and an e-visa is available for eligible countries.
Agenda
16- 10:00–10:15Welcome and Overview
- 10:15–10:30Keynote: AI-Driven Transformation of Aviation SystemsOpening discussion on security, resilience and the future of seamless operations.
- 10:30–11:10Session 1: Strategic Transformation of Aviation Through AIHow AI is reshaping master planning, operational decision-making and organisational strategy, including digital twins and autonomous systems, and the governance risks and human oversight involved.
- 11:10–11:55Session 2: Global Aviation at a Crossroads: Growth, Collaboration and LeadershipGlobal leaders set the context for aviation in 2027, covering security risks, drone threats, smart borders, sustainability pressure, rapid Middle East growth and Saudi Arabia's emerging leadership.
- 13:15–14:15Session 3: Aviation Cyber Threats: Protecting Critical InfrastructureStrategies for safeguarding airports, airlines and air traffic systems, from threat detection and incident response to regulatory compliance and collaborative defence.
- 14:15–15:15Session 4: The Next Generation of Passenger and Baggage ScreeningEmerging screening technologies, automation and risk-based security approaches, including imaging systems and AI-enabled screening.
- 15:45–16:45Session 5: Next-Generation Airport Ecosystems: AAM, Digital Infrastructure and Future ConnectivityAdvanced air mobility, immersive technologies, smart digital infrastructure and integrated connectivity in airport design and operations. Sponsored by InterVISTAS.
- 16:45–17:45Session 6: The Aviation Workforce of Tomorrow: Talent Strategy for a High-Growth EraAttracting Gen Z, localising workforces and re-skilling teams across pilots, air traffic control, digital and sustainability roles.
- 19:00–21:00VIP Official Conference DinnerHosted by MATARAT and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
- 10:30–11:30Session 7: Passenger Expectation and Trust in the Digital AgeHow airports can meet passenger expectations through real-time digital communication while protecting data privacy and building trust, including during disruptions. Sponsored by InterVISTAS.
- 11:30–11:45Keynote: The Future of Air Traffic ManagementIntelligent airspace, advanced aerospace systems and integrated operations.
- 11:45–12:45Session 8: Strategic ATM TransformationCapacity, airspace and operational planning: congestion, airspace complexity, slot reform, civil-military coordination and collaborative decision-making, including integration of advanced air mobility.
- 13:45–14:30Session 9: Intelligent Airspace: AI, Agentic Systems and the Future of ATMAI and advanced automation in air traffic management and future concepts.
- 14:30–15:15Session 10: Future Airspace Integration: Interoperability, Cross-Border Coordination and New Airspace UsersCross-border coordination and interoperability while integrating drones, eVTOL and advanced air mobility.
- 15:15–16:00Session 11: Delivering Net-Zero AviationSustainability commitments across the aviation ecosystem and the role of air traffic management in reducing emissions.
- 16:00–16:15Conference Adjournment and Closing Remarks
