Event Program
Day 1 | Tuesday
27 January 2026
8:00: Arrival, Refreshments, Collection of Badges
8:20 - 9:30: Introductions, Sponsor recognition. Ice Breaker Exercise.
9:30: Welcome Note by the Host
✈ Dubai's Aviation AI Vision
✈ The Imperative for AI in Aviation
✈ Current AI at Dubai Airports: Smart Gates, Predictive Maintenance, Pax Flow
METRICS: 14-sec processing, 90M+ capacity, 300-500% ROI target
Ersin Inankul
Senior Vice President, Business Technology, Dubai Airports
10:00 - 11:00: Choose your preferred track session:
Airside & Operations Track
Session 1.1
ATC AI & Cloud Journey
Benjamin Cramet, Eurocontrol
1. Cloud Transformation Journey
• Why Eurocontrol moved to the cloud
• ATOS partnership: contract extension
• First EASA-accredited cloud ATM platform
2. Technical Architecture
• Multi-region public cloud
• EASA certification compliance
• Eviden of cybersecurity integration
3. AI Integration Opportunities
• Network Manager optimisation
• iNM Programme: €300M transformation by 2030
Landside Operations Track
Session 2.1
Digital Twins at Airports
Kelly Watt,
Consultant to DFW Airport
1. Digital Twin Fundamentals
• Definition & architecture
• Data sources & integration
• Simulation capabilities
2. Airport Applications
• Infrastructure planning
• Operational scenario testing
• Predictive maintenance
3. Case Studies:
• Dallas Fort Worth International 1
4. Implementation
• Data infrastructure needs
• Platform selection
• System integration
Cybersecurity Track
Session 3.1
Airport Cybersecurity Reality Check - What's Actually Breaking
Tom Geri, Cybersecurity Consultant
1. Threat detections
• ML/UEBA
• OT & IT
2. Securing legacy systems that can't be replaced
• Compensating controls
• Human factors and social engineering defence
3. Network Segmentation strategies for airports
4. Practical SOC monitoring approaches
11:00 - 11:30: Networking Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30: Choose your preferred track session:
Airside & Operations Track
Session 1.2
Panel Discussion
Predictive Maintenance
Héctor Pujadas, Ex General Manager
Swissport - Moderator
Kelly/ DFW, Amygda, Danlex
1. Business Cases
2. Case Studies
3. Technical Architecture
4. Data infrastructure
5. Model development
6. Operational integration
Landside Operations Track
Session 2.2
Decarbonisation and the role of AI
Pauline Blot-Georges, Schneider Electric
Global Airport Business Director
1. Importance of decarbonisation
2. The challenge
3. How AI is helping technical advancement
Cybersecurity Track
Session 3.2
Panel Discussion
Critical Compliance and Safety
Benjamin Cramet, Eurocontrol
Eduardo Garcia, CANSO
1. Critical Compliance Deadlines
• EU Part-IS: October 2025 / February 2026
• UK CAA alignment in progress
• US TSA/FAA enforcement is active now
2. What You Must Implement
• Information Security
3. Emerging Requirements
4. Core Requirements Across All Frameworks
12:30 - 13:00: Networking Buffet Lunch
13:00 - 14:00: Choose your preferred track session:
Airside & Operations Track
Session 1.3
AI and the Integrated Airport–ATM System: The Art of the Possible
Eduardo Garcia, CANSO
1. From vision to system thinking
Why airports, ATM and airspace must be viewed as an integrated operational system rather than separate domains.
2. Airport–ATM convergence through AI
How AI enables better information sharing and coordinated decision-making across airports, ANSPs and network partners.
3. Automation today and tomorrow
Where we are on the automation journey, from decision support to higher levels of autonomy, and what this means in practice.
4. Key takeaways: What airport operators, ANSPs and regulators should prioritise now to unlock AI’s potential while preserving safety and resilience.
Landside Operations Track
Session 2.3
Bridging the Physical and Digital Airport Experience
Jørn H G Korbi, VP Digital Commercialisation, Avinor
(Norwegian Airports)
1. Business Case
How Norway is Using Generative AI to transform the passenger experience
2. Why an AI-based travel assistant
Cybersecurity Track
Session 3.3
Cyber Security and the role of AI
Farhan Chaudhry, Qatar Airways
VP Cyber Security & Governance
1. Aviation Cyber Threat Landscape
• Increasing attack surface
• Nation-state & criminal targeting
• Supply chain vulnerabilities
2. AI as Attack Vector
• Adversarial attacks on AI
• Data poisoning risks, Model theft & manipulation
3. AI for Defence
• Anomaly detection, Automated threat response, SOC automation
4. Case Studies:
• Qatar Airways: AI security ops
• Aviation ISAC collaboration
14:00 - 14:30: Networking Coffee Break
14:30 - 15:30: Choose your preferred track session:
Airside & Operations Track
Session 1.4
AI helps Orchestrate Airport Operations
Dan Iversen, Copenhagen Airport
Director of Airport Technology
1. Airports and Technology Today
2. Frustration with Legacy
3. From Systems to Orchestration
4. Why Leading Airports Are Making the Move
Landside Operations Track
Session 2.4
Group Workshop
AI-led pattern recognition that discovers hidden correlations
Faizan Patankar, Amygda
1. Airports generate vast operational data in CMMS systems
2. The challenge is to identify failure patterns in these unstructured datasets
3. Traditional predictive maintenance relies on OEM sensor data
4. Discovers hidden correlations across disparate event logs and work orders
Cybersecurity Track
Session 3.4
Panel discussion
New security threats in the world of AI
Qatar Airways, AWS, Groupe ADP
1. Aviation Cyber Threat Landscape
Placeholder
2. AI as Attack Vector
3. AI for Defence
4. Case Studies
15:30 - 16:00: Pre-arranged 1-to-1 Meeting Slot I
16:00 - 16:30: Pre-arranged 1-to-1 Meeting Slot II
16:30 - 17:00: Pre-arranged 1-to-1 Meeting Slot III
17:30: Networking Reception - Day 1
17:30: Coach pick up to Networking Reception at Le Meridien Warehouse Bar
Day 2 | Wednesday
28 January 2026
8:00: Arrival, Coffee/Refreshments, Networking
8:30: Re-cap of Day 1. Questions & Answers
9:30 - 10:00: Opening Keynote From Organiser
Future of Aviation AI
1. State of AI in Aviation 2026
2. Emerging Technologies Reshaping Aviation
3. Airport AI Exchange's focus on AI and the future of the Aviation industry
Amad Malik, Chief AI Officer (ATOS, Adaptech AI LTD- Dubai)
10:00 - 11:00: Choose your preferred track session:
Airside & Operations Track
Session 1.5
AI at Airports, The Wider Transformation
Kelly Watt, Senior Consultant
Digital Twin
DFW Airport
1. The Challenge
• Peak hour congestion
• Security checkpoint bottlenecks
• Connection time optimisation
2. AI Technologies:
• Computer vision for crowd density
• Predictive queue time forecasting
• Digital twins for scenario modelling
3. Predictive maintenance:
• The gaps in the technology today
• non-AI predictive
maintenance vs AI
• Legacy system integration
• Using data for predictive maintenance instead of sensors
Landside Operations Track
Session 2.5
Intelligent Baggage Handling Excellence
Charles Telitsine, Groupe ADP
Chef du departement strategie et innovation
1. Baggage Challenges
• Mishandled cost: $3B+ annually
• Connection time pressures
• System reliability
2. AI Applications
• Predictive BHS maintenance
• Dynamic routing optimisation
• CV for tracking & sorting
3. Case Studies
Cybersecurity Track
Session 3.5
Airport Network Architecture - Segmentation and Access Control
Dubai Airports
1. Network Design Challenges
-
Vendor access requirements vs. security isolation
-
IT and OT system separation
-
Legacy system integration
2. Segmentation Strategy
-
Network zones and access boundaries
-
Vendor network isolation approach
-
Critical system protection
-
Balancing security with operational needs
3. Visibility and Control
-
Complete device inventory and asset management
11:00 - 11:30 AM: Networking Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30: Choose your preferred track session:
Airside & Operations Track
Session 1.6
AI helps Orchestrate Operations
Benjamin Cramet, Eurocontrol
Przemyslaw and Igor Wolak - ATOS
1. AI-assisted software development lifecycle
2. How Eurocontrol use AI to completely rewrite the software development process, from request to design and deployment
3. Full demo of the lifecycle and the complete process
4. Current and future applications
Landside Operations Track
Session 2.6
AI applications in Airport Operations
Speaker TBC
Aeroporti di Roma
1. insights and experiences with AI applications in airport operations
Cybersecurity Track
Session 3.6
Panel Discussion
Airport Network Architecture - Segmentation and Access Control
13:00 - 13:30: Networking Buffet Lunch
13:30 - 14:30: Choose your preferred track session:
Airside & Operations Track
Session 1.7
AI for Airports – Pilot to Production
Robin Kanthareuben, Technology Leader - Travel & Hospitality
AWS EMEA
1. How airports can leverage AI
2. Challenges in AI projects
3. How airports can move quickly from a pilot to production, implementing AI
Landside Operations Track
Session 2.7
Airside Operations and AI Aviation Operations
Héctor Pujadas
Ex General Manager/Swissport
1. The Challenge of the disconnect between airport systems
2. The current state challenge
3. Technical debit of Airports and the aviation world
4. The operational cost
5. The innovation stagnation
6. AI Use Cases for a Connected World
Cybersecurity Track
Session 3.7
Incident Case Studies - Recent Aviation Attacks
TBC
14:30-15:00: Networking Coffee Break
15:00 - 15:30: Pre-arranged 1-to-1 Meeting Slot I
15:30 - 16:00: Pre-arranged 1-to-1 Meeting Slot II
16:00 - 16:30: Pre-arranged 1-to-1 Meeting Slot III
16:30 - 17:00: Pre-arranged 1-to-1 Meeting Slot IV
17:00: Certificate Award Ceremony
17:30: Coach pick up to Networking Evening Cocktail Reception at Level 43 Sky Lounge, Dubai Business Bay
Day 3 | Thursday
29 January 2026
9:00: Arrival, Coffee/Refreshments, Networking
9:00 - 11:00: Dubai Airports Data Centre Tour
If you are planning to attend the tours, please ensure you have provided a copy of your passport for clearance.
DISCLAIMER:
Organisers reserve the right to change the program depending on speakers’ availability and flight schedules.
For more updates, please visit https://www.airportai.exchange/