As we continue in Q2 with strong momentum, we’re excited to bring you the latest updates on our portfolio of events and communities. Each event continues to set the standard as a pivotal forum for innovation in air transport, offering unparalleled insights into the future of the industry and a plethora of networking and business opportunities. Meanwhile, our Innovation Communities continue to grow from strength to strength, now boasting over 850 corporate members. Below, we provide detailed progress on each of our globally recognised events and communities, which remain the leading platforms for driving industry transformation with a unique energy and diverse audience unmatched anywhere else.
FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit – 14-16 May 2024, Pittsburgh
In just two weeks, the FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit will convene in Pittsburgh for a groundbreaking three-day event, exploring how robotics and AI is already re-shaping the aviation industry, what the future might hold, and how industry stakeholders should adapt and plan in order to thrive in a world dominated by automation. Delivered in partnership with Pittsburgh International Airport, it is a free must-attend event for airline/airport executives embracing the fact that robotics technologies are ready now to help solve many of the industry’s most pressing challenges. Over 100 organisations are already registered, representing many of the most progressive airlines and airports in the world – you can see many of those names here.
Highlights include:
- Unique social and networking programme, including the Kickoff Event at Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center
- Keynote from Alaska Airlines’ Director of Innovation Bernadette Berger
- Contributions from the likes of IAG Airports, Royal Schiphol Group, Southwest Airlines, Pittsburgh International Airport, CVG Airport, British Airways, Avinor and United Airlines, as well as outside of the industry innovators from Carnegie Mellon University and the National Robotics Engineering Center
- Innovation tours and live demos from the most dynamic robotics and AI companies based in Pittsburgh
- Interactive workshops at Carnegie Mellon University
Visit the event website here >>
Register or express your interest in attending today – limited tickets remaining! >>
FTE EMEA, Ancillary & Retailing – 11-13 June 2024, Dublin
With just six weeks until the FTE EMEA and FTE Ancillary & Retailing events in Dublin, momentum is building for what promises to be our best event in Europe yet. We are adding world-class speakers to the conference agendas daily and some of the most prestigious organisations in the industry have already registered to attend. This gathering of industry experts in the fields of operations, digital, innovation, commercial and ancillary services promises to be an invaluable platform for sharing insights and forging significant business relationships. 66 airlines and airports from around the world are already registered to be there – you can see many of those names here.
Highlights include:
- Delivered in partnership with IAG, Dublin Airport, APEX and Ryanair
- Keynote contributions from the CEOs of SAS, flyadeal, DFW Airport, plus key executives from Ryanair, IAG, Aer Lingus, Stripe and more
- IAG, Schiphol, Qatar Airways, ADR, Lufthansa, Dubai Airports, Air France, Aena and more among finalists shortlisted to pitch on stage in Dublin for FTE Innovate Awards
- Extensive networking programme announced in the heart of Dublin
- See the list of organisations you can be networking with here
Visit the FTE EMEA website here >>
Visit the FTE Ancillary & Retailing website here >>
FTE Global – 28-30 October 2024, Los Angeles
FTE Global is now widely renowned as “the CES for aviation” and returns to Los Angeles – 28-30 October 2024 – where it will once again be co-located alongside APEX/IFSA Global EXPO, bringing together the best of the airport and inflight realms under one roof. This mega-event will be the largest gathering of air transport executives from around the world in North America this year to network, learn, forge new partnerships, collaborate and be inspired. Attendees will have access to a large-scale end-to-end exhibition, multiple conference tracks, unique social and networking events, co-creation workshops, government agency briefings, Think Tank unveilings and our largest-ever startup showcase.
Highlights include:
- First confirmed speakers include leaders from Warner Bros., Pittsburgh International Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, The New Terminal One at JFK, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Fraport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, EL AL Israel Airlines, McKinsey & Company, and many more to be announced in the coming weeks
- New Corporate Buyer Program providing complimentary premium passes for key decision-makers in the aviation field. See our criteria and apply for our Corporate Buyer Program here.
- New exhibition participants & features – The FTE Global 2024 exhibition will be the highlight of this year’s show, featuring extended exhibition opening hours across three days and integrating a wide range of conference and event activities directly on the exhibition floor. Among the highlights are the new Airport Terminal Robotics & Mobility Showcase and Vehicle Showcase zones. Plus many new companies who have not showcased at the event before will be joining us to bring lots of fresh new ideas and concepts to inspire our audience.
Visit the event website here >>
Secure your place for FTE Global 2024 today for best possible rates >>
FTE APEX Asia Expo – 19-20 November 2024
Jointly hosted by FTE and the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), FTE APEX Asia Expo is Asia’s biggest free to attend passenger experience and business performance expo for the aviation industry. Following the huge success of our 2023 event, which attracted a record number of attendees from no fewer than 64 countries, FTE APEX Asia Expo 2024 – 19-20 November, Singapore – promises to be our biggest and best event in the region yet. The show will provide the ideal opportunity to demo the very latest products and services, share learnings and ideas, and for those from further afield to better understand the APAC market, which will see the fastest growth in the coming years.
Highlights include:
- FTE APEX Asia Expo Networking Ice Breaker at Hub & Spoke, Changi Airport
- Self-guided innovation tours at Changi Airport, plus exclusive CAG briefing for Premium Pass holders
- Key topics will include: Leadership Perspectives exploring significant regional and global challenges; the Airport and Airline Innovation Summits focusing on cutting-edge advancements; and sessions on inflight innovation, the airport terminal of the future; as well as comprehensive case studies on digital transformation and enhancing the end-to-end customer experience
Visit the event website here >>
Secure your place for FTE APEX Asia Expo today >>
FTE Communities: Now 850+ corporate members
Future Travel Experience’s Innovation Communities, including the Hub, BIWG, and WARWG, continue to grow from strength to strength, now boasting over 850 corporate members combined. The success of the recent members meeting at the Lufthansa Aviation Center in Frankfurt which attracted over 100 attendees in person and over 40 online is a true testament to FTE’s role as a dynamic community catalyst and enabler of industry transformation, and we are still just getting going! Read the full report on our recent meeting in Frankfurt here.
Here’s an update on each community:
- FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub: International Airlines Group (IAG), Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Ryanair, Vienna International Airport, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Manchester Airports Group, Isavia, London Luton Airport & DataArt, are among the latest Corporate Partners to join, while we now have almost 450 approved startup members. The three core themes for 2024 are Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) and these topics have been at the forefront of our FTE Hub meetings this year. We are pleased to announce that Enterprise Ireland and AWS have teamed up to host our June meeting at Amazon Web Services (AWS) HQ in Dublin.
- The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) – With over 112 members from around the world, the BIWG is growing exponentially. This year has seen the continuation of the BIWG’s biggest-ever POC, which is focused on baggage imaging and involves three Canadian airports (Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver), a common airline (Air Canada) and multiple suppliers. This collaborative project showcases the potential for innovation in enhancing baggage handling efficiency, while setting a precedent for industry-wide cooperation in solving complex operational challenges. In addition to our meetings, members will also get the chance to visit and tour the baggage systems at PIT & OSL in the coming months.
- FTE World Airport Retailing Working Group (WARWG) – With over 400 executives now active in our community, representing a diverse array of organisations including airport operators, concessionaires, consultancies, brands, tech companies, and airlines, this free to join working group has become a pivotal platform for global commercial leaders to collaborate, innovate, and share strategies for enhancing airport commercial environments. It’s a testament to our collective commitment and the shared belief in our mission, supported by our our inaugural strategic partner Stripe, as well as key industry leaders many of whom serve on the FTE Ancillary & Retailing Advisory Board. A report on our highly popular last member meeting can be read here which had compelling contributions from DOH, LHR & Avolta.
Upcoming FTE Communities members-only meetings
- 14 May 2024 FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub members-only in-person meeting in Pittsburgh hosted by PIT
- Content plans: Presentation by Pittsburgh International Airport’s xBridge (innovation lab), startup pitches, plus interactive discussion and networking.
- 14 May 2024 FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group members-only in-person meeting in Pittsburgh hosted by PIT
Content plans: Pittsburgh International Airport baggage system tour & presentation, autonomous operations and robotics, Proof of Concept updates. - 11 June 2024 FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub members-only in-person meeting in Dublin hosted by Enterprise Ireland & AWS
Content plans: Extensive startup pitches, plus presentations & discussions around AI, IoT and Robotics.
11 June 2024 FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group members-only in-person meeting in Dublin hosted by Dublin Airport
Content plans: Dublin Airport presentation, Proof of Concept updates, innovations for delivering a successful summer. - 11 June 2024 FTE World Airport Retailing Working Group members-only in-person meeting in Dublin hosted by Stripe
Content plans: Scene-setting keynote presentations, fireside chat, and breakout discussion groups focused on the theme of ‘Understanding & Planning for the passenger evolutions of tomorrow – GI Generation to Gen Alpha’.
