For the second consecutive year, Airports Council International (ACI) is proud to present the World Business Partner Innovation Showcase, an opportunity to spotlight the airport community’s most transformative ideas and solutions on a global stage.
The Showcase will take place during Airports Innovate, held from 23 to 25 November 2026, in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain.
Under the theme “Best Available Innovation at an Airport” this initiative will highlight both pilot projects and fully implemented innovations that are shaping the future of airports. Ten finalists will be selected and invited to present their solutions to an international audience at Airport Innovate. Each finalist will also receive two complimentary registrations to attend the event.
The World Business Partner Innovation Showcase is an initiative of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, ACI EUROPE, and ACI World.
Finalists of 2026 World Business Partner Innovation Showcase
Ten innovations have been selected to present on a global stage at Airports Innovate, 23–25 November 2026, in Barcelona.
- Finalists
- 10
- Dates
- 23–25 November
- Destination
- Barcelona (BCN)
Browse by theme
Finalists are listed in alphabetical order.
Accessibility
Autonomous Mobility becomes airport operating Intelligence
by ALBA Robot
ALBA Robot's autonomous mobility platform connects real-time airport data to physical terminal infrastructure. By linking live telemetry to AI intelligent agents moving through the terminal, the company enables automatic rerouting of passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) and optimized terminal flow — turning static infrastructure into a dynamic, accessible Airport Operating System.
Airside operations
app2air: Digital Aircraft Recovery Planning Tool and Network
by ac2air Gmbh
App2air connects aircraft recovery equipment, expertise, and digital planning across airports. By streamlining coordination between these resources, the platform reduces downtime, optimises resource allocation, and strengthens operational resilience — helping airports respond faster during disabled aircraft recovery events.
Airside operations
Dynamic Stand & Gate Optimization for Real-World Operations
by Copenhagen Optimization
Copenhagen Optimization brings intelligent, continuous optimisation to stand and gate operations planning. Combining flight data with airport-specific rules, its platform updates allocations as the operational picture changes — reducing manual replanning and enabling more resilient, efficient use of existing infrastructure.
Wayfinding
One Map, Every Touchpoint: Infrastructure-Free Airport Wayfinding
by GoodMaps
GoodMaps simplifies airport navigation with one live map connecting web, kiosks, and mobile. From trip planning to gate arrival, the company helps travellers navigate complex terminals confidently — without the cost or complexity of physical infrastructure.
Wayfinding
Indoor Semantic Map Enabling Wayfinding Through Visual Landmarks
by Hubway
Hubway offers passengers a personal AI assistant, speaking their language throughout their airport journey. This wayfinding solution captures real passenger needs and drives commercial engagement, boosting passenger experience and non-aeronautical revenue.
Passenger processing
HKIA Smart Security Ecosystem: A Nuctech-Powered Operational Revolution
by Nuctech Company Limited
NUCTECH deployed a first fully integrated smart security ecosystem at Hong Kong International Airport, unifying advanced screening technologies into one data-driven platform. The system boosted single-lane throughput by 50% and expanded overall screening capacity to more than 10,000 passengers per hour.
Airside operations
Runway Surface Monitoring System (RSMS)
by Oreyeon LDA
Oreyeon evaluates runway surfaces in real time, detecting Foreign Object Debris (FOD) and pavement damage. By identifying risk patterns across inspections, the company turns airfield data into preventive maintenance action — helping airports stay ahead for runway safety.
Sustainability
Data as a Service: Elevate performance. Reduce Emissions.
by Waltr.
Waltr. provides independent data on ground operations asset utilisation, revealing operational gaps airports can't see on their own. The company turns decarbonisation efforts into measurable operational and financial value, guiding smarter investment and operational decisions.
Passenger processing
Data-Driven Passenger Allocation
by Xovis
Xovis turns passenger flow intelligence into real-time operational action. Demonstrated at Berlin Airport, its intelligent Passenger Allocation System continuously guides passengers to the optimal processing counter based on live occupancy data — balancing resources, reducing congestion, and improving the passenger journey.
Accessibility
AI-Powered PRM Operations and Accessibility Platform
by Your Accessible Flight
Your Accessible Flight is an AI-powered platform helping airports, airlines and ground handling teams deliver safer, faster services for passengers with reduced mobility. By digitising wheelchair data and streamlining verification, the solution cuts handling processes from 40 minutes to roughly two — improving operational efficiency, reducing errors, and most importantly, creating a more predictable and dignified passenger experience.
2026 World Business Partner Innovation Showcase
Admissibility and Evaluation
Admissibility
This call was open to all of ACI’s World Business Partners (WBPs).
For innovators beyond our community, we encouraged you to step forward and apply. Selected finalists needed to join ACI’s WBP community to present their groundbreaking initiative at Airports Innovate.
To be eligible, your innovation must have been implemented at an airport between January 2025 and May 2026.
By submitting an entry, the participant agreed that all entries become ACI property for promotional purposes.
ACI reserved the right to exclude a submission should the information provided be insufficient or the submission requirements not met.
Evaluation criteria
A clarity of vision: Is the innovation’s impact clearly and concisely presented?
Meaningful impact: How significantly does it improve the airport experience or operational efficiency?
True originality: What makes this idea stand apart?
Ease of integration: How readily can it be adopted and scaled?
Intelligent investment: What is the value proposition and potential return?
Evaluation Committee of Experts
A committee composed of independent industry experts, with a strong knowledge and interest in technology, innovation and industry transformation evaluate the submissions. There is no current ACI employees within the committee.