PTE World 2026 returned to Excel London on March 17-19, once again underlining its status as the airport sector’s leading global meeting place. Over three packed days, more than 11,000 industry professionals from airports, airlines, aviation authorities, governments and related businesses gathered to exchange ideas, source new technologies and discuss the strategic direction of the industry.
With 450+ exhibitors on the show floor and 500+ speakers contributing across the conference program, the event delivered both scale and substance. Crowded aisles, busy booths and full conference rooms reflected the strength of industry engagement, while the breadth of topics on display – from security, baggage and biometrics to sustainability, passenger experience and future terminal design – showed just how fast the airport sector is evolving.
From the exhibition
This year’s exhibition demonstrated the industry’s growing focus on smarter, more connected and more predictive airport operations.
Automation and autonomy were major themes. Aurrigo drew attention with its Auto Dolly-Tug and Auto-Shuttle, showcasing how autonomous electric vehicles can support airside baggage, cargo and passenger movements. Elten also impressed visitors with Eltonomous, its automated baggage loading system, presented through an immersive VR experience.
Baggage innovation was another standout area. SITA launched SITA Bag Radar, a predictive analytics tool designed to help airports, airlines and ground handlers identify baggage risks earlier and move from reactive to proactive disruption management. Meanwhile, Cognex unveiled its latest AI-powered automated tag reading system, designed to improve baggage tracking accuracy, reduce manual encoding and help tackle mishandled baggage.
Elsewhere, exhibitors highlighted how data, AI and spatial intelligence are becoming central to airport decision-making. Assaia introduced StandManager, an AI-powered solution designed to optimize gate and stand allocation using live operational data. ADB Safegate presented its Intelligent Apron approach, aimed at connecting airside systems into a unified operational network. Veovo and Emu Analytics used the event to announce a partnership to bring geospatial intelligence into airport operations, while Outsight, SOS Lab and Jetpack all showcased tools designed to improve forecasting, queue monitoring and flow management.
Security and passenger processing also featured prominently. Rohde & Schwarz demonstrated its QPS Walk2000 walk-through scanner, while Smiths Detection showcased its Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX checkpoint CT system and wider connected security capabilities. onysID introduced onyScan Pro, a new passport scanner developed with serviceability and operational resilience in mind.
Passenger experience was not overlooked. Airport Ypush’s electric wheelchair highlighted innovation in PRM support, Haute & Craft unveiled its modular DO-GA Double Slim seating system, and Manchester Airport detailed how biometric identity reconciliation, delivered with Amadeus, is helping Terminal 2 manage domestic and international passengers more dynamically within shared infrastructure.
On the show floor, PTW conducted interviews with several outstanding CEOs and other leaders shaping the industry. Follow this link to watch.
Skytrax World Airport Awards
One of the show’s headline moments came on March 18, with the presentation of the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards.
Singapore Changi retained the title of World’s Best Airport for the 14th time, while also taking awards for World’s Best Airport Dining, World’s Best Airport in the 60-70 million passenger category, World’s Best Airport Immigration Service and Best Airport in Asia.
Seoul Incheon ranked second and was named World’s Most Family-Friendly Airport. Tokyo Haneda remained third globally and collected awards including World’s Cleanest Airport (Major Airport), World’s Best Domestic Airport and World’s Best Airport PRM & Accessible Facilities. Hong Kong International Airport rose to fourth and won for World’s Best Airport Washrooms and World’s Best Airport Security Processing.
Among other winners, Paris CDG was again named Best Airport in Europe, Munich Airport collected Best Airport Staff in Europe and Best Airport in Central Europe, and Cape Town Airport was recognized as both Best Airport in Africa and Best Airport Staff Service in Africa.
Conference highlights
The conference again proved why it remains one of the most highly regarded airport gatherings in the world, with more than 160 hours of presentations, panels and debate attracting over 2,000 delegates.
Proceedings opened with a keynote from Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye, who outlined his airport’s multibillion-pound investment plans and reaffirmed its ambitions for a third runway, while also pointing to record passenger volumes across Europe and further growth ahead.
A strong early session on Day 1 brought together leading UK aviation figures for a discussion on the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry. Leaders from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, London City and Regional & City Airports UK emphasized the importance of affordable growth, supportive economic conditions and long-term investment, while also stressing that sustainability must be embedded into aviation’s growth strategy rather than treated as a competing objective.
Design and placemaking were also firmly on the agenda. On Day 2, Quentin Brathwaite, design lead for JFK New Terminal One, outlined plans for what he described as an “all-encompassing cultural experience,” integrating art, branding, film and digital media to create a guest experience rooted in New York’s identity. The presentation was a reminder that future terminals are being shaped as much by emotion, culture and well-being as by operational efficiency.
On Day 3, Skytrax winner Munich Airport used the conference stage to preview the expansion of Terminal 1. The €650m (US$752) project will add around 96,000m² to the airport’s non-Schengen area and increase capacity by more than six million passengers a year, while also bringing together key passenger processes and upgraded commercial space in a modernized environment.
Visitor testimonials
Nikos Anastasiou, CEO of Heraklion International Airport in Crete, Greece, said, “Since we are a greenfield project, we want to see other best practices. Having all these experiences and knowledge being transferred is important for us. Of course, there are a lot of vendors and suppliers to consider, and their track record is important, but it is very productive for us to be here.”
Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Heathrow Airport, said, “PTE World is important because it brings together so much of the airport supply chain and all the partners that make aviation what it is. It helps us put in perspective what has happened in the past to address the challenges that are ahead of us.”
Christina Cassotis, CEO, Pittsburgh International Airport, said, “I have found it as valuable as ever! We’ve been coming for years, and actually, this is one of the first conferences that I have sent my team to since I took over as CEO. We have been thinking about building and designing a new terminal, and we need to understand what’s happening in the industry. This is another great show!”
Soo Yeon Cho, senior manager, Incheon International Airport Corporation, said, “With so many visitors here, we get to see a lot of advanced technologies from different countries. It motivates us to get better and learn from others, and it brings value to everyone who visits.”
Save the dates! PTE World 2027 will be held at RAI Amsterdam, April 6-8, 2027.
