Programme

2026 programme preview

Two days focused on turning AI into airport performance

AI is already being applied across airport operations, commercial optimisation and strategic planning. The question now is where it is creating real value and how airports can capture more of it. Across two days, the programme moves from real deployments and honest lessons to leadership, governance and scale.

Date1-2 December 2026
VenuePark Plaza London Riverbank
AudienceSenior airport executives, CIOs and innovation leaders
Day oneTuesday, 1 December

From Possibility to Performance

Where is AI creating value in airports today? Real deployments, real experience, outcomes and lessons.

  1. Registration and morning coffee
  2. WelcomeOpening remarks

    Egremont Group and Airport World

  3. Mike Potter
    Opening keynoteLeading Through the AI Revolution

    Mike Potter, former UK Government Chief Digital Officer

  4. Verena Dollberg
    Airport case studyReimagining Frankfurt Airport: From Vision to Value

    Verena Dollberg, Program Director, Fraport AG

  5. Coffee and networking break
  6. Jesus Caballero
    Airport case studyCreating Value with AI at Sofia Airport

    Jesus Caballero, Chief Executive Officer, Sofia Airport

  7. Areeba Siddiqui
    Airport case studyBefore AI Takes Off, Let’s Talk Terminals: A Problem First Approach to Airport Data

    Areeba Siddiqui, Product & Innovation Lead, London Luton Airport

  8. Lunch and networking
  9. Alina Henne
    Airport case studyBeyond the LinkedIn Post: Creating Operational Value

    Alina Henne, Innovation Manager, Stuttgart Airport

  10. Panel discussionFacilitated Panel on Creating Commercial & Operational Value
    Chris Crist
    Chris Crist
    Verena Dollberg
    Verena Dollberg
    Alina Henne
    Alina Henne
  11. Afternoon networking break
  12. Additional session to be announced
  13. Breakout sessionPeer Exchange: Applying the Day’s Lessons
  14. Day one closing remarks
  15. Evening networking reception
Day twoWednesday, 2 December

From Implementation to Scale

How do airports turn successful AI use cases into sustained performance?

  1. Registration and morning coffee
  2. Chris Crist
    Airport case studyAtlanta Airport Case Study

    Chris Crist, Chief Information Officer, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

  3. Nick Crane
    Egremont Group – Building Your Innovation Ecosystem

    Nick Crane, Senior Consultant, Egremont Group

  4. Jamie Devlin
    Innovation showcaseIdeagen

    Jamie Devlin, VP of Aviation

  5. Networking break
  6. Airport case studySession details to be announced
  7. Grant Bishop
    Innovation showcaseSilent Falcon

    Grant Bishop, CEO and President

  8. Panel discussionFacilitated Panel on Event Outcomes & Lessons Learned
    Jesus Caballero
    Jesus Caballero
    Areeba Siddiqui
    Areeba Siddiqui
  9. Farewell lunch
Real airport deployments Practical implementation Measurable outcomes Leadership and governance Honest lessons learned Peer-to-peer discussion

Programme timings and session details are subject to change.

Programme speakers

Meet our speakers

Meet the airport and technology leaders sharing practical experience at AI in Airports 2026.

Jesus Caballero, Chief Executive Officer of SOF Connect

Featured speaker

Jesus Caballero

Chief Executive Officer

SOF Connect

Session focusCreating Value with AI at Sofia Airport

An airport CEO's perspective on driving AI adoption from the top of the organisation.

Chris Crist, Chief Information Officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Featured speaker

Chris Crist

Chief Information Officer

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Day two · 09:15Atlanta Airport Case Study

Chris leads technology, data and digital innovation at Atlanta Airport, bringing an airport operator’s perspective to practical AI adoption.

Verena Dollberg, Program Director, Corporate Strategy and Digitalisation at Fraport AG

Featured speaker

Verena Dollberg

Program Director, Corporate Strategy & Digitalisation

Fraport AG

Session focusReimagining Frankfurt Airport: From Vision to Value

First-hand experience of embedding AI within corporate strategy at one of Europe's largest airports.

Areeba Siddiqui, Product and Innovation Lead at London Luton Airport

Featured speaker

Areeba Siddiqui

Product & Innovation Lead

London Luton Airport

Session focusBefore AI Takes Off, Let’s Talk Terminals: A Problem First Approach to Airport Data

A practical, problem-first approach to connecting airport data, creating value step by step and laying the foundations for future AI investment.

Alina Henne, Innovation Manager at Stuttgart Airport

Featured speaker

Alina Henne

Innovation Manager

Stuttgart Airport

Day one · 13:00Beyond the LinkedIn Post: Creating Operational Value

Alina works on practical innovation and digitalisation projects across airport ground handling operations.

Mike Potter, former UK Government Chief Digital Officer

Keynote speaker

Mike Potter

Former UK Government Chief Digital Officer

Keynote

Session focusLeading Through the AI Revolution

A national policy and digital-government perspective on the leadership challenges of AI adoption.

Nick Crane, Chair of AI in Airports

Summit chair

Nick Crane

Senior Management Consultant Specialised in Transport & Operations

Egremont Group

Event roleChair of AI in Airports

Chairing AI in Airports 2026, Nick will guide conversations on the opportunities and challenges of applying AI across the airport sector.

Grant Bishop, CEO and President of Silent Falcon

Innovation showcase speaker

Grant Bishop

CEO and President

Silent Falcon UAS Technologies

Day two · 11:30Silent Falcon innovation showcase

An aerospace systems specialist with experience in airport safety technology and advanced drone services.

Jamie Devlin, VP of Aviation at Ideagen

Innovation showcase speaker

Jamie Devlin

VP of Aviation

Ideagen Aviation

Day two · 10:20Ideagen Aviation: Complete Operational Visibility

Jamie will show how Ideagen brings airport safety, noise and environmental monitoring, community engagement and operations together. Ideagen Mazlan provides governed, auditable AI insights to help teams act earlier and make informed decisions.