The inaugural FTE World Innovation Summit – hosted by Pittsburgh International Airport – took place on 13-15 May 2025 and brought together over 400 leaders from around the world to explore transformative technologies shaping the future of aviation. The truly unique event was a resounding success, featuring inspirational keynotes, expert-led panels, innovation tours, live technology demonstrations, and a plethora of networking activities in the city known as the ‘Robotics Capital of the World’. A key focus of the Summit was the opportunity to experience the newly completed Pittsburgh International Airport terminal – a $1.4 billion, next-generation facility designed to set new benchmarks in passenger experience, sustainability, and innovation.
Exclusive tours of the new PIT terminal – Design, Technology, and Experience behind the transformation
The Summit opened with exclusive, behind-the-scenes preview tours of the new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal – the first major airport terminal built from the ground up in the U.S. since the pandemic. Attendees were given early access to the facility ahead of its official opening, with immersive tours guided by key project leaders from Allegheny County Airport Authority. These deeply informative briefings provided rich insights into the strategy and execution behind the landmark development. Tour sessions focused on three core themes: Design, Construction, Sustainability, Delivery & ORAT, led by Paul Hoback, Chief Development Officer, and Chad Willis, Director, Planning, Environmental, & Sustainability; Technology & Operations, led by Deepak Nayyar, EVP – CIO, and Travis McNichols, Chief Operations Officer; and Service Design & Commercial, led by Siri Betts-Sonstegard, SVP Experience & Design, and Bryan Dietz, SVP Air Service and Commercial Development.
Tuesday also included demonstrations by Pittsburgh-based Journey Robotics, which is developing a robotic baggage handling system as part of PIT’s xBridge innovation program.
Kickoff networking event in the new terminal sets the tone for three days of innovation
Following the terminal tours, the Kickoff Networking Event took place inside the new terminal building, providing a fitting stage for the days of innovation and collaboration to come. Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, welcomed attendees and set the tone for the Summit with a compelling address on the airport’s forward-thinking vision and role as a launchpad for aviation innovation. An undoubted highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Sean Doyle, Chairman & CEO of British Airways, who shared exclusive insights into the airline’s cutting-edge use of AI to drive operational excellence and enhance the passenger journey. Also during the Kickoff Networking Event, Shashank Nigam, Founder & CEO of SimpliFlying, officially launched Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two. The book offers a timely look at aviation’s sustainability challenge, exploring the collision between rising demand and the urgent need to decarbonise. Read more or purchase the book here.
Exclusive from FTE World Innovation Summit: British Airways CEO reveals how AI is reshaping operations and the passenger experience
In a landmark keynote at the FTE World Innovation Summit, Sean Doyle, Chairman & CEO of British Airways, revealed how AI is now at the heart of the airline’s operations – a major milestone in its £7 billion transformation investment programme. Doyle explained how forecasting, optimisation and machine learning technologies have driven British Airways’ best-ever operational performance, with AI now integrated into every aspect of the airline’s operations to help get customers to their destinations with minimal disruption.
British Airways has invested over £100 million in boosting operational resilience, and the results are striking: in Q1 2025, 86% of flights departed on time from London Heathrow – the highest D-15 performance in the airline’s history. In April alone, two-thirds of BA flights left ahead of schedule – more than double the figure from the same period in 2023. “Improving operational performance is a key part of our investment programme because we know the impact delays and disruption can have on our customers,” Doyle told the audience. “The tech colleagues have at their fingertips has been a real gamechanger for performance, giving them the confidence to make informed decisions for our customers based on a rapid assessment of vast amounts of data. It’s exciting that our industry is able to harness this capability, which will develop even further in the months and years to come.”
View our full video interview with Sean Doyle, Chairman & CEO of British Airways, here. Plus, read our full report on his exclusive keynote at the FTE World Innovation Summit here.
Opening Keynote: Connect Airlines CEO on disrupting with purpose-built tech and zero-emission ambition
Day 1 of the FTE World Innovation Summit conferences, taking place at Carnegie Mellon University, opened with a compelling keynote interview between Daniel Coleman, CEO & Founder of Future Travel Experience, and John Thomas, CEO of Connect Airlines – a bold new carrier aiming to become the first hydrogen-powered airline and the first US-based zero-emission airline.
Thomas, a long-time industry leader returning to his regional aviation roots, outlined Connect’s mission to disrupt the North American market with advanced turboprop aircraft powered by electricity or hydrogen for short- and medium-haul routes. He also shed light on how the airline is taking a radically different approach to technology. Rather than investing in rigid SaaS platforms, Connect is leveraging Microsoft’s Power Platform to enable frontline business users to build their own purpose-built applications for flight ops, crew management, and customer service – all tailored to Connect’s unique operating model.
“As a startup, we have the advantage of no legacy systems,” Thomas explained. “We’re creating real-time operational intelligence, personalised experiences, and dramatically lower IT costs – all by putting technology creation in the hands of those who know airline operations best.”
Alaska Airlines keynote: Unveiling a bold new vision for the gate experience
Bernadette Berger, Director of Innovation at Alaska Airlines, took to the stage to present ‘Seamless and Remarkable: Future Gate Vision’, unveiling a transformative reimagining of the airport gate experience. Highlighting the stress and inefficiency of today’s boarding process, Berger outlined how Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are combining AI, automation, and human-centred design to create a smoother, more empowering experience for both passengers and staff.
A key focus is building “carry-on confidence” – eliminating the chaos caused by passengers clustering at the gate through smarter communication and overhead bin visibility. Alaska’s redesigned app will guide guests with personalised timelines and proactive updates, while new agent tools and baggage transfer technologies are already being deployed to streamline operations. The vision is already becoming reality. Alaska’s Portland Airport lobby allows passengers to tag and drop bags in under five minutes, and its redesigned app will offer personalised boarding timelines, proactive alerts, and an AI assistant for on-the-go requests. Meanwhile, agents will soon be equipped with a unified mobile app giving them real-time flight data, freeing them to roam the gate and focus on guest care.
Berger closed with a clear message: confidence and care are at the heart of memorable journeys. Read a full report on the Alaska Airlines keynote here.
Inspirational closing keynote: Astrobotic CEO on becoming the first commercial company to land on the moon
Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic is at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. In this exclusive keynote, John Thornton, CEO and Co-Founder of Astrobotic, shared how his company aims to become the first commercial company to land on the moon through Griffin Mission One. Under his leadership, Astrobotic has grown into the world’s leading lunar logistics company, securing over $600 million in NASA contracts and delivering cargo to the Moon for governments, universities, and private enterprises. Following the Peregrine Mission One, Astrobotic is pushing forward with Griffin Mission One, scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025, continuing its mission to advance lunar exploration, space robotics, and reusable rocket technology. This compelling keynote offered an exclusive look at the future of space transportation, lunar infrastructure, and how innovations in aerospace will reshape the way we explore and operate beyond Earth.
Future Airports conference: PIT Terminal Transformation Deep Dive, plus airport innovation stories from around the world
At the FTE World Innovation Summit, attendees delved into the development of Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal through a series of ‘Deep Dive’ presentations. Paul Hoback, Chief Development Officer at Allegheny County Airport Authority, kicked off with a look at the vision and strategic approach behind the terminal’s design, construction, and ORAT planning. This was followed by a panel discussion with Carolyn Sponza, Principal at Gensler, and Daniel Bryan, ORAT Manager at Jacobs, who shared insights on the collaborative effort and challenges faced throughout the project.
Subsequent sessions focused on the terminal’s commercial strategy and technology. Bryan Dietz, SVP of Air Service and Commercial Development, outlined PIT’s forward-looking approach, with additional perspectives from Alwyn J Veliyeth, CTO at Rezcomm, and Rick Ingram, EVP Airport Services at LAZ Parking. Deepak Nayyar, EVP and CIO at Allegheny County Airport Authority, led a session on innovative technologies, featuring Michele McGough, Founder & CEO of solutions4networks, and Scott Oranen, Senior Account Manager, Transportation at LG Business Solutions USA, who highlighted tech solutions improving operations and passenger experience.
The baggage system was also explored in depth during a dedicated case study session moderated by Darin Juby, Head of Transformation at Future Travel Experience. Rusty Hottenfeller, Director of Facilities and Airline Services at Allegheny County Airport Authority, and Phil Wellington, Senior Project Manager at Daifuku Airport America, provided a behind-the-scenes look at the planning, deployment, and performance of PIT’s next-generation baggage handling system, followed by an engaging audience Q&A.
The conference concluded with an inspiring session featuring innovation leaders from around the world. Moderated by Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer at Future Travel Experience, the panel brought together Samuel Ingalls, Principal at Barich, Inc; Steve Armitage, Head of Innovation at Heathrow; Johnathan Lewis, Division Director Innovation at Miami International Airport; and Martin Kamlah, VP Corporate Development & Operations at Munich Airport International, who shared their organisations’ approaches to driving meaningful innovation, overcoming challenges, and delivering enhanced passenger and operational outcomes.
Advanced Technology Conference: Cybersecurity, AI, change management, and collaboration
The Advanced Technology Conference at the FTE World Innovation Summit explored transformative topics shaping the future of air transport, including digital resilience, robotics, AI, and data-driven change.
The FTE Cybersecurity Symposium, moderated by Deepak Nayyar, EVP – CIO at Pittsburgh International Airport, focused on strategies for protecting aviation infrastructure in an evolving digital world. Speakers Matt Breed, CIO, Port of Seattle; Theresa Blackwell-Frank, CISO at Virtuo Group and V-CISO for Pittsburgh International Airport; and Dr. Lorrie Faith Cranor, Director of CyLab and Bosch Distinguished Professor in Security and Privacy Technologies at Carnegie Mellon University, discussed AI-driven threats, the role of human factors, and proactive training for long-term resilience.
In a session on advanced technologies, innovation leaders from Pegasus Airlines, Fraport, Ferrovial, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines shared strategies for adopting next-gen tech and fostering innovation within their organisations.
The role of robotics and AI was explored by experts from Royal Schiphol Group, Alaska Airlines, Boston Dynamics, and Carnegie Mellon University, highlighting exciting use cases, practical experiences, and societal implications.
A panel on driving transformation, led by Darin Juby, Head of Transformation at Future Travel Experience, emphasised the importance of change management and cultivating a data-driven culture, with insights from Air Canada and Carnegie Mellon University.
The conference concluded with a session on accelerating innovation through collaboration, featuring Carnegie Mellon University’s Jim Jen and Kloopify CEO Daniela Osio, who discussed how airports and airlines can engage with startups to stay agile and future-ready.
Energy & Sustainability conference: Accelerating air transport’s green transition, plus focus on PIT’s one-of-a-kind microgrid
The Energy & Sustainability Conference at the FTE World Innovation Summit brought together leaders from aviation, energy, and academia to explore pathways toward a sustainable future for air transport. The opening session, moderated by Mary Kirby, Founder of Runway Girl Network, featured a thought-provoking panel with John Thomas, CEO, Connect Airlines; Scott Savian, Chief Product Officer, JetZero; Christina Cassotis, CEO, Pittsburgh International Airport; and Costa Samaras, Director of the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University. They discussed decarbonisation strategies, from SAF and hydrogen to electric aircraft, with Pittsburgh International Airport highlighted as a testbed for innovation.
PIT’s efforts to become a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer were a focal point, with Cassotis noting the airport’s ideal conditions for SAF R&D, thanks to its 8,800-acre campus and infrastructure. Samaras and Thomas stressed the need for both public and private investment in clean aviation. “The market alone will not solve this. Government alone will not solve this,” Samaras said.
Allegheny County Airport Authority has already approved a lease for 50 acres of airport land to be used as a SAF production site, in partnership with Avina, which leverages proprietary biofuels technology developed by KBR. “This is where innovation is happening. No other place is better than Pittsburgh,” said Vishal Shah, CEO of Avina.
The second session delved into the practical aspects of sustainability efforts. Chad Willis, Vice President, Planning, Environmental, & Sustainability at Pittsburgh International Airport, shared the airport’s pioneering energy strategy, including being the first to operate entirely on its own microgrid powered by solar and natural gas. The panel discussion that followed, moderated by Manuel van Lijf, Director Innovation – Travel & Transportation at nlmtd, brought together additional voices advancing clean aviation infrastructure. Marion N. Chivot-Legris, Director, ESG & Sustainability Strategy, shared how Edmonton International Airport is creating its own ‘Airport City Sustainability Campus’ to integrate renewables, SAF, and ESG strategy across its operations. The discussion also featured insights from Monica Normark, Global Director Biofuels Technology at KBR; George Skoptsov, CEO of H Quest; and Vishal Shah, CEO of Avina, who all emphasised the need for scalable innovation, supportive policy, and bold airport leadership to unlock the full potential of SAF, hydrogen, and electrification across the industry.
Innovation tours inside Pittsburgh’s leading tech and sustainability hubs
The FTE World Innovation Summit gave attendees exclusive access to Pittsburgh’s thriving innovation ecosystem through a series of behind-the-scenes Innovation Tours. These site visits highlighted the city’s global leadership in robotics, AI, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable energy.
The Advanced Technology tour featured stops at Gecko Robotics, where climbing and crawling robots powered by predictive AI inspect critical infrastructure, and multiple labs at Carnegie Mellon University, including the Robotics Institute, Biometrics Center, and Mission Control for upcoming space robotics missions. Delegates also visited the Robotics Factory, a startup accelerator connecting emerging robotics ventures to industry and manufacturing partners.
The Energy & Sustainability tour showcased companies driving clean energy breakthroughs. At H Quest, attendees saw how hydrogen can be produced at the point of use with zero CO₂ emissions. At the Energy Innovation Center, the focus was on cleantech development, workforce training, and building a more sustainable energy economy.
These tours offered a powerful glimpse into the innovation driving Pittsburgh’s reputation as a global hub for transformative technology.
Meet the Innovators: Startups bring bold ideas to aviation
One of the most exciting and distinctive elements of the FTE World Innovation Summit is the Meet the Innovators: Pitch Sessions, which spotlight bold thinking from outside the traditional bounds of air transport. Curated and hosted by Cole Wolfson, these sessions have become a powerful platform for connecting aviation leaders with startups and local innovators tackling challenges in new and unexpected ways.
Across three themed sessions – Future Airports, Advanced Technology, and Energy & Sustainability – shortlisted startups pitched ideas designed to solve aviation’s most pressing challenges, many drawing from breakthroughs in other industries. From AI-driven tools that improve boarding and customer service, to modular microgrids, biofuel-powered ground equipment, and robotics for airport security, each pitch aimed to inspire cross-sector collaboration and real-world impact.
After a competitive round of presentations, Janta Power was selected as the overall winner for its pioneering 3-dimensional solar technology, which redefines how power is generated – maximising output while minimising land use. The innovation stood out as a promising solution for powering aviation infrastructure sustainably and efficiently.
In addition, Mike Formica, Founder, Formica ProtoFab, spoke about the $75,000 grant that was awarded to an idea conceived during the workshops at last year’s FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit hosted by Pittsburgh International Airport. Pittsburgh’s Henry L. Hillman Foundation pledged $75,000 to the Allegheny County Airport Authority Charitable Foundation to explore the initial commercialisation stages of one of the ideas emanating from the interactive workshops. Formica shared that this resulted in a system that would track runway de-icer application on the airfield, integrating sensors and onboard computers to an existing truck. There are both cost (not wasting by overspraying) and compliance (did they spray the right amount at critical locations) values to this. In addition to tracking fluid rate, other elements tracked include total fluid, Gallons/1Kft2, speed, and time, as well as being able to identify equipment degradation.
Unparalleled networking opportunities: Reception at Cinderlands Warehouse
Networking is at the heart of the FTE World Innovation Summit, and this year’s reception at Cinderlands Warehouse offered the perfect setting for meaningful conversations and new connections. Held in Pittsburgh’s iconic Strip District, the craft brewery provided a vibrant, relaxed atmosphere for attendees to unwind after a full day of panels at Carnegie Mellon University and innovation tours across the city. The evening brought together industry leaders, technologists, and entrepreneurs in an informal setting that encouraged collaboration, idea-sharing, and new partnerships.
FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub and Baggage Innovation Working Group members-only meetings, plus FTE Smart Ramp meeting
Ahead of the main programme, members of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub and Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) convened in Pittsburgh for high-impact sessions focused on collaboration and innovation.
At the Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub meeting – co-hosted by Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer at Future Travel Experience and Samuel Ingalls, Principal at Barich, Inc – members explored the future of robotics, automation, and IoT in airport environments. Deepak Nayyar, EVP & CIO at PIT, shared how the new terminal is being built as a smart, tech-enabled benchmark. Startup pitches from Airtrek Robotics and Carnegie Mellon University showcased advances in ground handling and AI-driven mobility. Members also received updates on the Smart Ramp initiative and heard from The Boring Company’s Nicholas Galano, who introduced Loop as a potential solution for airport landside congestion.
Meanwhile, the BIWG meeting kicked off with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of PIT’s new baggage systems, led by Russell Hottenfeller, followed by a deep-dive into the strategy behind the terminal’s baggage redesign. The group also heard from VIRV CEO Nicholas Holland, who presented innovative solutions for electrifying Ground Support Equipment sustainably and affordably.
These sessions underscored the value of FTE’s specialist communities in advancing tangible change across the industry.
Mark your diary and register for FTE’s upcoming events
- APEX FTE EMEA / Ancillary & Retailing, Dublin, 10-12 June 2025
- FTE Global, co-located with APEX/IFSA Global EXPO, Long Beach, 9 to 11 September 2025
- APEX FTE Asia Expo, Singapore, 11-12 November 2025
