Global aviation leaders to convene in Riyadh for 2026 Airports Forum

As Saudi Arabia and the Middle East enter a phase of rapid investment, technological transformation, and infrastructure development in aviation, the 2026 Airports Forum will bring together four simultaneous conferences to explore the key factors shaping the future of airports and the aviation sector.

The forum comes at a time of accelerated growth for aviation in the Middle East, with airport development spending in the region reaching around $180 billion and a record 21% increase in air connectivity expected in 2025, according to the latest data from Airports Council International (ACI).

The 2026 Airports Forum will be held on November 30 and December 1, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center, gathering aviation leaders from across the region and the world through four concurrent conferences: the Global Aviation Issues Conference, the Future of Aviation Investment Conference, the Airport Design and Construction Conference, and the Women in Aviation General Assembly.

The forum agenda covers a wide range of topics shaping the future of aviation, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced air mobility, airport investment, smart infrastructure, sustainability, passenger experience, and the future of skills and workforce in the sector.

Global aviation issues: from airport security to the future of air traffic management

The Global Aviation Issues Conference will highlight key topics influencing the future of airport and aviation operations, including airport security and air traffic management.

Conference sessions will address the use of artificial intelligence in sector development, cybersecurity, passenger and baggage screening technologies, operational resilience, skills development, and the future of air traffic management, including enhancing airspace capacity, automation, cross-border coordination, and the integration of drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Notable participating organizations include the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), MATARAT Holding, Riyadh Air, Etihad Airways, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SITA, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and the Saudi Civil Aviation Academy, bringing together expertise in regulation, airport operations, airline security, technology, and air traffic management.

Aviation investment: financing the next phase of growth

The Future of Aviation Investment Conference, scheduled for November 30, will focus on the pivotal role of investment and financing in supporting the next phase of aviation growth amid major transformations in Saudi Arabia and the region.

Aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the conference will discuss public-private partnerships in airports, concession models, investor confidence, and opportunities for infrastructure investment. It will also review capital trends in airports, airlines, air cargo, leasing, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.

The agenda also includes sustainable aviation financing, green bonds, ESG-linked capital, and investment opportunities in eVTOL and drone infrastructure.

Participating organizations include the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Saudi Arabia, daa International, Sofia Airport, the National Center for Privatization & PPP, Oman Airports, and Avilis, providing specialized insights into aviation investment, infrastructure development, airport operations, and public-private partnerships.

Airport design and construction: infrastructure for ambitious growth

On December 1, the Airport Design and Construction Conference will focus on the infrastructure needed to support aviation growth, from new airports and future terminals to digital twins, automation, and connected passenger journeys.

Sessions will explore balancing capacity and operational efficiency with sustainability, technology, and evolving passenger expectations.

The conference will also address the importance of local identity in airport design and the challenges of executing major airport projects, including procurement and risk management, phased implementation planning, and maintaining operational continuity during development.

Participants include King Salman International Airport, Gensler, Mott MacDonald, Riyadh Air, Foster + Partners, and Grimshaw, bringing global expertise in infrastructure, sustainability, architecture, design, and airport development.

Women in aviation: investing in leadership and national talent

The forum will conclude with the Women in Aviation General Assembly on December 1, placing leadership and human capital at the heart of discussions about the sector’s future.

Sessions will address the role of Saudi Vision 2030 in enhancing women’s participation and empowerment in aviation, as well as topics such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, future skills, talent development, gender diversity, and career pathways for women in aviation operations.

Hajj operations: Saudi expertise in managing air traffic and passengers

The forum’s program includes a dedicated session highlighting one of the most distinctive operations in Saudi aviation: the experience of Jeddah airports in managing large-scale Hajj operations.

This session will bring together experts in planning, operations, passenger experience, communications, and emergency response to review the mechanisms and practices that facilitate the movement of millions of pilgrims during the Hajj season.

A global platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange

Daksha Patel, Events Director at Niche Ideas, said:

“The aviation sector is undergoing rapid transformation on multiple fronts, from airport financing and design to technologies reshaping operations and the talent that will lead the industry forward. The latest ACI report on air connectivity in the Middle East highlights exceptional growth forecasts for the region’s aviation sector and the ambitious goals set to achieve this growth.

We are witnessing the largest phase of airport development in Middle East history to support this growth. Through the Airports Forum conferences, we look forward to bringing together leading global figures and future partners in one place, enabling the sector to exchange ideas, discuss shared challenges, and explore opportunities that will define the next chapter of aviation.”

As Saudi Arabia continues to pursue its aviation ambitions under Vision 2030, the four conferences at the 2026 Airports Forum will broaden the dialogue beyond airport infrastructure, serving as a meeting point for decision-makers in investment, technology, operations, design, policy, and talent.

The forum will further establish Riyadh as a hub for decision-makers, experts, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the rapid changes in aviation and explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership to support the sector’s growth and development regionally and globally.