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Discussion on Global Airport Industry Innovation in Busan: “Airports Innovate 2025” to Be Held

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Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Park Heong-joon announced that the main event of “Airports Innovate 2025,” hosted by Korea Airports Corporation and organized by Airports Council International (ACI), will take place today (26th) and tomorrow (27th) at SIGNIEL Busan.

“Airports Innovate” (hereinafter “the event”) is an international conference where airport operators from 169 ACI member countries and leaders across the aviation industry gather to discuss innovation in future air mobility and the development of the airport and aviation sector.

First launched in March 2023 in Muscat, Oman, the event marks its third year in 2025. Busan was selected as the host city for 2025 in December 2022 following Korea Airports Corporation’s hosting efforts and Busan Metropolitan City’s support activities.

Airports Council International (ACI, Airports Council International)
• ACI is a non-profit international organization representing 2,181 airports in 169 countries and 830 airport operators worldwide. Alongside the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), it is one of the three major global aviation bodies.
• Its roles include developing and disseminating global standards and guidelines for airport safety, security, and operational efficiency; fostering policy environments for sustainable airport growth; and evaluating airport service quality.
• Previous Airports Innovate events: (1) 2023 Muscat, Oman; (2) 2024 Rome, Italy.

This year’s event will be held across Haeundae, including SIGNIEL Busan, from November 24 to 27. The main program, which includes participation from ACI member airports and domestic and international airport and aviation-related companies, officially begins with the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. today (26th).

Day 1 and Day 2 programs include ACI meetings such as the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, subcommittees, and receptions.
Day 3 and Day 4 programs include the main opening ceremony, presentation sessions, panel discussions, exhibitions, the gala dinner, handover ceremony, and cultural tours.

The main event will welcome approximately 500 airport and aviation industry representatives from 169 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. A wide range of global issues will be discussed, including the digital transformation of the airport industry, future mobility (AAM, UAM), sustainable airport strategies, and smart operational technologies.

The opening ceremony will be attended by Seong Heui-yeob, Vice Mayor for Future Innovation of Busan Metropolitan City; Lee Jeong-gi, Acting President of Korea Airports Corporation; SGK Kishore, Chair of the ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Board; the Director-General for Aviation Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; and other domestic and international officials. The program includes congratulatory remarks, a welcome address, and a celebratory robot-dog dance performance.

Following the opening ceremony, various sessions will be held, including regional innovation presentations, innovation leader panel discussions, and topic sessions on AI-driven aviation innovation and intelligent security screening.

On the 27th, discussions will focus on future airport fields such as improving mobility experiences for transportation-vulnerable individuals and next-generation airport operation centers (APOC), followed by the closing and handover ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Busan Metropolitan City, together with Korea Airports Corporation, will host an exchange event (gala dinner) to promote international cooperation in the airport and aviation industries.

At the exchange event held this evening (26th), approximately 450 attendees—including ACI executives, airport operators from member countries, and representatives from related companies—are expected to participate. Busan Metropolitan City plans to actively engage in discussions centered on expanding international air routes from Busan and strengthening aviation networks.

Vice Mayor for Future Innovation Seong Heui-yeob stated, “It is highly meaningful that this global conference discussing innovative strategies for the world’s airport industry is being held in Busan. The outcomes of these discussions will serve as an important foundation for establishing Gadeokdo New Airport as a smart airport that meets international standards.”