APEX FTE Asia Expo – the region’s largest free-to-attend innovation & passenger experience expo for the air transport industry – returned to the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore, on 11-12 November 2025. This landmark 15th anniversary edition, themed ‘Accelerating Innovation’, was delivered with the support of Headline Partners Changi Airport Group, Onboard Hospitality, and Singapore Airlines, and brought together the best of the airport and inflight realms under one roof.
The event provided the ideal opportunity to demo the very latest products and services, share learnings and ideas, and for those from further afield to better understand the APAC market, which will see the fastest growth in the coming years. It featured a free to attend end-to-end exhibition of the industry’s most progressive companies; a high-level Premium Conference Stage; complimentary Expo Stage sessions; the Onboard Hospitality Forum Asia; expanded ‘Tech & Innovation Briefings’; a joint meeting of the FTE Communities (Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub; Baggage Innovation Working Group; and World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group); guided tours of Terminal 2 at Changi Airport; and ceremonies for the FTE APAC Pioneer Awards 2025 and the APEX Best Awards for Central/Southern Asia, Eastern Asia, Greater China, and the South Pacific.
During the event, it was also announced that APEX FTE Expo Asia will take place in Singapore on 18-19 November 2026, bringing together two of the industry’s most respected brands under one roof. The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) will bring its largest event – APEX Global EXPO – to Singapore, combining its unrivalled customer experience heritage with FTE’s long-established regional innovation APAC event, which will now take on a broader global focus. 3,000+ attendees, 120+ speakers and 100+ exhibitors are expected at this truly global, unified mega event in 2026.
Take a look at our visual round-up of the key highlights from APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025.
Mark your diary for APEX FTE Expo Asia, Singapore, 18-19 November 2026 >> Join us at APEX FTE EMEA and Ancillary & Retailing, co-located with the new FTE Smart Ramp & Baggage Innovation Summit, Dublin, 9-11 June 2026 – find out more >> Mark your diary for FTE Global 2026 – 8-10 September 2026, Dallas, Texas >>Changi Airport Group, Singapore Airlines and Onboard Hospitality help to get APEX FTE Asia Expo underway
APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025 got underway with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer, Future Travel Experience; Wah Li Ong, Vice President Product Experience, Singapore Airlines; Dr Joe Leader, Group CEO, APEX/IFSA/FTE; Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group; Ali Loving, Head of Events, Future Travel Experience; and Stuart Forster, Editor – Retail and Technology, Onboard Hospitality.
Innovative airline and airport solutions – from automation to digital identity, baggage, and much more
The free to attend exhibition at APEX FTE Asia Expo provided a major showcase of progressive solutions, products and services from technology giants and the most innovative startups from across Asia and beyond. The 60+ exhibitors highlighted innovations created to help airlines and airports improve end-to-end customer experiences, reduce costs, increase revenues, and enhance sustainability and operational efficiency. Whether you are looking for products to help automate and streamline the airport experience or increase comfort and personalisation inflight, the expo hall was the place to find them. This year’s event featured more live and immersive demos than ever before. Attendees received a hands-on experience that was interactive and educational, with cutting-edge solutions touching on all aspects of the end-to-end passenger journey. The exhibition featured some of the most established players in the sector, including SITA, NEC, Atrius, CAVU, Pattern, TWAI, and many more, major household names such as Meta, plus a dedicated Startup Zone featuring some of the most progressive new suppliers on the market, including 22North by Phonon, Aleph Technologies, GoDigitag, Secure Horizons International, The Zen Gates, and more.
Inflight-focused showcase – IFEC, Extended Reality, digital engagement, airline retailing, and more
The exhibition featured an impressive line-up of inflight-focused suppliers, including Meta and MSM.digital, Safran Passenger Innovations, Immfly, K&K Solution Inc, Moment/Airfree, PXCom, Quvia, Spafax, and many more.
Meta and MSM.digital are partnering to redefine what passengers will experience onboard modern airlines through Virtual Reality – fundamentally transforming how entertainment, engagement, and wellbeing are delivered in the air. At their booth, visitors immersed themselves in the same content that passengers will one day enjoy onboard: from live sports in full immersion, to cinematic storytelling, mindful wellbeing, interactive games, and educational experiences. The aim was to let attendees experience what ‘In-Flight Entertainment’ becomes when it evolves into ‘In-Flight Experiences’.
Safran Passenger Innovations showcased its stunning MiniLED HDR displays powered by Snapdragon, the RAVE Open Platform, with a beautifully immersive User Interface, as well as some future forward features like device screen mirroring and content casting to the IFE display. Safran also demonstrated how RAVE Cloud Services are transforming airline operations, from content management and analytics to onboard AI capabilities that enable faster updates and smarter experiences.
Visitors to the Immfly booth had the opportunity to see, touch and experience its digital onboard solutions first-hand through live demonstrations and real use cases. These are transforming the passenger experience through an integrated ecosystem of connectivity, entertainment, and retail.
At APEX FTE Asia Expo, Moment showcased how airlines can embrace the connected-cabin era. With Flymingo Connect, carriers deploy a connectivity-ready, ISP-agnostic foundation that adapts to any IFC strategy and scales to IoT. Moment shared APAC-focused insights on hybrid models that blend inflight WiFi with embedded digital services. It also showed how the Airfree marketplace unlocks retail on both connected and offline flights, with extra uplift when connectivity is live.
Onboard Hospitality Forum Asia – a showcase of inflight catering, wellbeing, design and innovation
The Onboard Hospitality Forum Asia once again took place as part of APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025. Driven by leading onboard services magazine, Onboard Hospitality, the forum combined targeted inflight hospitality, peer to peer networking and conference sessions with a chance to meet leading suppliers of catering, wellbeing, design and innovation. Held within a dedicated zone, the free-to-attend Forum was specifically designed to support buyers of inflight passenger comfort and catering.
A record number of leading inflight wellness and catering companies showcased their latest products and services, including AAB-inflight, Aviasoft, Bodd, CHOYA, En Route, Flightparts, Gispol, ITW Envopak, Ivan’s Finest Pies & Pastries, John Horsfall, J-SECO Aviation Supplies, Korita Aviation, Linstol, Manna From Heaven, Orange One Inflight, RMT Global Partners, Zibo Rainbow, and more.
During the two-day Onboard Hospitality Forum Asia, attendees also had the chance to hear inspiration from a number of leaders in the hospitality sector.
VIP tour of the exhibition
Day 1 included a special VIP tour of the exhibition. The high-level delegation included: Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group; Richard Nuttall, CEO, Philippine Airlines; Joe Chiu, Vice President, Digital & Data Management System, Changi Airport Group; Wah Li Ong, Vice President Product Experience, Singapore Airlines; Andrew Tan, VP Airport Development PMO, Air India; Rany Francois-Marie Saad, Designated CEO, AIRIVERIA and Executive Committee Member, Global; Dr. Joe Leader, Group CEO, APEX/FTE/IFSA; and Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer, Future Travel Experience.
‘Tech & Innovation Briefings’ and One-to-One Meetings
The popular ‘Tech & Innovation Briefings’ on the exhibition floor returned bigger and better this year. Attendees had the opportunity to join guided tours and meet exhibitors with relevant products, services and concepts across five areas: Ancillary Revenue & Retailing; Airport Technology & Pre-Travel; Onboard Hospitality; Baggage Handling; and Inflight Entertainment & Connectivity. Attendees were also able to use the One-to-One Meeting system prior to and during the show to connect with companies and individuals and arrange meetings. The system again proved a great success.
Inspirational Keynotes and Fireside Chats featuring Changi Airport Group, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia MOVE, Korean Air, and more
The theme of APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025 was ‘Accelerating Innovation’ and was reflected throughout the agendas on both the Premium Conference and Expo stages, which highlighted the transformative, collaborative and innovative approaches being taken for the benefit of the industry.
Dr Joe Leader, Group CEO, APEX/FTE/IFSA; Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer, Future Travel Experience; and Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group, opened the Premium Conference before the Opening Keynote Panel. Themed ‘Leadership strategies to maximise capacity, operational efficiency, customer experiences, revenues and workforce, while preparing for change in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond’, the panel was moderated by Suranjana Tewari, Asia Business Correspondent, BBC News, and featured Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group; Richard Nuttall, CEO, Philippine Airlines; and Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific, SITA. Together, they explored how the Asia-Pacific region can manage surging demand while navigating supply chain constraints, sustainability pressures and rapid advances in AI and digital identity.
In a fascinating Expo Stage Opening Keynote, Jan Takacs, Head of Design & UX, shared how AirAsia MOVE is personalising travel, driving new revenue streams, and challenging the OTA status quo. He outlined the company’s “ultimate ambition to build Asia’s most loved travel platform” by driving innovation, personalisation, and a seamless experience at every touchpoint. “We aim to remove common digital pain points, allowing travellers to focus on the joy of their journey,” said Takacs. “It’s about curating intuitive, frictionless experiences, particularly when today’s travellers are overwhelmed by choices.”
Meanwhile, in the Premium Conference, Suranjana Tewari, Asia Business Correspondent, BBC News, led a compelling Keynote Fireside Chat with Kenneth Chang, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer (Marketing, IT, Cabin Crew, E-Commerce & Global Customer Service Divisions), Korean Air, delving into the carrier’s unique customer experience, opportunities for growth, and exciting future plans.
Premium Conference Stage – innovation for airlines, airports and their partners
The Premium Conference provided unique insights into how the industry will evolve over the short, medium and long-term, and how effective utilisation of technology, innovation, hospitality and collaboration can reimagine air travel for the better and support the significant growth that airlines, airports and their partners in the region will experience in the years to come.
Among the many highlights in the Premium Conference was the ‘The AI & Digital Transformation Summit’, which explored tapping into the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. Part 1 was a compelling Exclusive Fireside Chat on ‘Elevating travel experiences through a digitally empowered frontline’. Moderated by Sanil Martin Joseph, Business Head – Travel, Transportation and Hospitality Unit, APAC & ANZ, Tata Consultancy Services, panellists included Nazri Neyat, Vice President Ground Experience Development, Singapore Airlines, and Ranjiv Ramanathan, SVP, SG Hub Transformation & Development, SATS. Part 2 – moderated by Javed Malik, CEO, Auj – featured two fascinating presentations. First, Bernadette Berger, Director of Innovation, shared how Alaska Airlines is leveraging AI, digital and automation to revolutionise ramp operations. Then, Akemi Kimura, IT Strategy & Development, ZIPAIR, provided insights into the airline as a tech startup, with lessons from building ZIPAIR’s digital core.
In a truly unique Special Presentation, Bastian Schütz, Head of XR in Travel, Meta, provided unmissable insights into ‘Elevating aviation with Extended Reality: Unlocking the potential of Extended Reality & Immersive Experiences’. He shared how Meta is building the future of human connection and the technology that makes it possible, with a focus on advancing AI, as well as building the next computing platform with the Metaverse.
A key session on ‘Inflight Innovation’ focused on how the latest IFEC, cabin design and service developments will redefine the onboard experience. Moderator Dr Joe Leader, Group CEO, APEX/IFSA/FTE, led an interactive panel discussion exploring the latest developments and future opportunities around IFE, connectivity, cabin design, new technology integration, revenue generation, F&B ordering, passenger comfort, and more. The high-level panel featured Liyan Huang, Director – Inflight Systems, ZIPAIR; Mir Amer Hussain, Head – Onboard Experience (Inflight Product & IFEC), Air India; Bastian Schütz, Head of XR in Travel, Meta; and David Kondo, Executive Manager, Inflight Customer Experience, Qantas.
The Premium Conference agenda continued with a session focused on ‘Embracing collaboration and commercial innovation to create new revenue & business opportunities’. Moderator Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer, Future Travel Experience, led a fast-moving panel discussion, featuring Jeffrey Loke, Senior Vice President, DIVA (Digital Factory), Changi Airport Group; Rany Francois-Marie Saad, Designated CEO, AIRIVERIA and Executive Committee Member, Global; Josh Bakhbakhi, Vice President, Growth, CAVU; and Gary Ong, APJ Transport Sales Leader, Amazon Web Services (AWS). They examined the growing potential for airlines, airports and commercial partners to co-innovate new revenue models, emphasising the critical roles of data sharing, digital integration and organisational openness. The discussion spotlighted real-world partnership successes, strategies for balancing innovation with operational and regulatory demands, and how to build personalised, journey-wide retail and loyalty experiences while future-proofing commercial strategies.
A fitting finale to day 1 in the Premium Conference was a session focused on ‘Innovative airport modernisation and expansion efforts that will deliver memorable travel experiences and enhanced operations’. The session began with a scene-setting presentation from Sunil Ankalgi, Regional Director, Sales & Account Management, AirOps, APAC, Amadeus, titled ‘Reducing travel friction through technological innovation’. An interactive panel discussion then followed, moderated by Ross Falconer, Head of Content, Future Travel Experience, and also featuring Yvonne Bilshausen, Global Head of Aviation Architecture & Engineering, AECOM, and Nicholas Donovan, Head of Aviation Services, Melbourne Airport. The panellists explored the evolving concept of airport modernisation, highlighting how the industry must blend advanced technology with human-centred design to create efficient, authentic and memorable passenger journeys. The discussion covered everything from weaving local culture into terminals to future-proofing infrastructure, managing implementation challenges and embedding sustainability, while emphasising the power of cross-industry collaboration to unlock the airport experience of the future.
Day 2 on the Premium Conference stage began with ‘The End-to-End Customer Experience Summit’, which focused on creating truly unique, memorable and differentiated experiences for all types of guests. Following a scene-setting introduction by the moderator – Janis Tse, CEO, Lounge by Yates, Yates+Partners – the session moved into a fast-paced and interactive panel discussion, featuring Jonathan De Oliveira, Director, Customer Experience, Azerbaijan Airlines; Samson Arega Bekele, Group Vice President Customer Experience, Ethiopian Airlines; Akuila Batiweti, Chief Customer Officer, Fiji Airways; David Kondo, Executive Manager, Inflight Customer Experience, Qantas; and Ambar Franco, Vice President Customer Experience, Star Alliance.
Another highlight was a fascinating session on ‘Making autonomous airport operations a reality – inspiration from the first movers’. Tom Kikuchi, Head of Innovation, All Nippon Airways, shared a compelling scene-setting presentation titled ‘Inside Smart Ramp – the future model of the turnaround operation with autonomous vehicles connecting harmoniously with people’. The session then moved into an interactive panel discussion moderated by Javed Malik, CEO, Auj, and also featuring Ranjiv Ramanathan, SVP, SG Hub Transformation & Development, SATS; and Kellen Schroeter, Co-founder & CEO, Pattern. Speakers discussed the growing readiness of airport operations for autonomous technologies, outlining the potential for major efficiency and performance improvements while addressing barriers such as regulatory complexity, cultural change and cybersecurity. The conversation emphasised the need for upgraded infrastructure, strategic workforce evolution and rigorous testing environments to ensure airports can confidently and safely scale autonomous systems.
The Premium Conference agenda concluded with an undoubted highlight – a session focused on ‘Lessons learned from industry innovators helping to take their organisations, and the industry, to new heights – opportunities and challenges for today and tomorrow’. Moderated by Darin Juby, Head of Transformation, Future Travel Experience, panellists included Alex Willis, Regional Vice President, Operations, Southeast Asia & China, Menzies Aviation; Chua Ching Hock, Senior Associate Director, International Projects, Changi Airports International; and Kevin Kleist, Head of Emerging Trends, Southwest Airlines. They discussed topics including collaboration, data sharing, technology, workforce empowerment, enabling innovation, overcoming challenges, new opportunities, and more.
Expo Stage – free education for all
All attendees benefited from complimentary access to the Expo Stage, with two days of free education sessions focusing on airport and inflight innovation.
In keeping with the event theme of ‘Accelerating Innovation’, the Expo Stage agenda began with the ‘Innovation Showcase Part 1’, focusing on CX, commercial and operational innovation, moderated by Marta Dimitrova, Head of Marketing & Communications, Future Travel Experience. Rahel de Vriend, Head of Innovation Research & Scouting, TNW, presented four emerging trends helping to reshape the future of aviation – autonomous technologies; modular technologies; dual-use Innovation; and ecosystem thinking. Max Tremaine, Co-founder & CEO, Sherpa, focused on driving ancillary revenue with personalised engagement, with a LOT Polish Airlines case study. Sylvie Ladame, Sales Director EMEA APAC, Atrius, Acuity Intelligent Spaces, Inc discussed seamless travel through real-time data and smart wayfinding. Finally, Bill Carleton, Director, NEC, highlighted biometrics as a crucial component of a truly seamless passenger experience.
A highlight of the free to attend Expo Stage agenda was a session focused on ‘Improving efficiency and creating more seamless experiences through design, technology and digital advancements’. The session opened with two compelling presentations. First, Nicholas Donovan, Head of Aviation Services, Melbourne Airport, discussed ‘Maximising every metre: Expanding impact before expanding walls’. Next, Hercules Lai, Manager, Future Travel Experience, Airport Authority Hong Kong, shared how every tweak transforms the Flight Token (aka One ID) experience and enhances efficiency at Hong Kong International Airport. The speakers then joined an interactive panel discussion moderated by Ross Falconer, Head of Content, Future Travel Experience, with additional panellists including Rupen S. Philloura, General Manager, Cruise Terminals International, and Ben Dawson, Principal, Aviation Lead SEA, Populous | Fentress Studios. They discussed how next-generation airport design is blending advanced technologies with human-centred thinking to reduce friction and elevate the passenger experience, drawing inspiration from sectors like cruise ports. The conversation highlighted the complexities of modernising legacy infrastructure, the importance of cross-stakeholder collaboration, the evolving partnership between automation and the workforce, and the breakthrough innovations poised to transform travel in the coming decade.
An Onboard Hospitality Forum Asia session focused on the key topic of the passenger experience, exploring how a sharper focus on passenger comfort and wellbeing is shaping inflight service and F&B. Moderated by Stuart Forster, Editor – Retail and Technology, Onboard Hospitality, the session featured two fascinating presentations followed by an interactive panel discussion. Dr Melissa Adamski, Accredited Practising Dietitian, discussed ‘Nourishing Travel: How nutrition can shape the passenger experience’. Meanwhile, Edwin Lim, Head of Commercial and Retail – Catering Division, dnata, presented on ‘Redefining Passenger Comfort Through Collaborative Airline-Caterer Partnerships’.
Day 1 of the Expo Stage agenda concluded with the ‘Innovation Showcase Part 2’ focused on CX, commercial and operational innovation. Again moderated by Marta Dimitrova, Head of Marketing & Communications, Future Travel Experience, the session featured three presentations followed by an interactive Q&A. Anjali Birla, Vice President – Customer Strategy, Air India, discussed CX transformation at Air India. Rupen S. Philloura, Former SFO & MIA Executive, Technology Entrepreneur, presented on ‘Airport of AI – Simplifying aviation intelligence’. Rui Lyu, Service Quality Manager, Xiamen Airlines, then presented on ‘Innovations in Sustainable Development’.
Day 2 on the Expo Stage opened with the FTE Baggage Innovation Summit, focusing on the latest trends and technologies that are redefining baggage handling, which was an undoubted highlight of the agenda. Moderator Darin Juby, Head of Transformation, Future Travel Experience, delivered a scene-setting introduction and this was followed by two compelling presentations. First, Gus Naughton, Principal Software Engineer, Alaska Airlines, discussed ‘Embracing the latest technologies, including robotics and baggage biometrics, to modernise baggage handling’. Next, Romy van Kessel, Innovation Consultant, nlmtd, highlighted how the ‘BOOST’ innovation programme is enhancing baggage handling through collaboration, robotics and automation. They were then joined on the panel by Kevin Kleist, Head of Emerging Trends, Southwest Airlines, for a truly interactive and thought-provoking panel discussion. The speakers explored the rapidly evolving baggage handling landscape, highlighting how AI, robotics and automation could unlock significant gains in accuracy, speed and operational resilience. The discussion underscored the need for deeper cross-industry collaboration, tackled the cultural and structural barriers that hinder progress, and drew inspiration from other sectors to reimagine how baggage systems can be modernised.
The free to attend Expo Stage agenda included a key session on ‘IFEC Innovation: Taking inflight entertainment and connectivity to new heights – opportunities and challenges’. Moderated by Maryann Simson, Director, Jetway Communications, panellists included Akuila Batiweti, Chief Customer Officer, Fiji Airways; David Kondo, Executive Manager, Inflight Customer Experience, Qantas; Victor Brault, Senior Advisor, Airline Accounts, SES; Ben Asmar, Vice President, Products and Strategy, Safran Passenger Innovations; Dimitrios Tsirangelos, Vice President Business Development IFE Technology & Innovation, Spafax; and Jonas von Kruechten, Principal Advisor & Founder, dgtlsky. They examined the major trends reshaping IFEC, highlighting how next-generation connectivity, changing passenger behaviours and smarter use of data are opening the door to richer, more personalised inflight experiences. The conversation also delved into the untapped commercial potential within IFEC and the opportunities – as well as obstacles – airlines face as they work to unlock new value from rapidly advancing technologies.
The free to attend Expo Stage agenda featured a fascinating Onboard Hospitality Forum Asia session titled ‘Better together: The power of industry collaborations to innovate and raise the bar’. Moderated by Stuart Forster, Editor – Retail and Technology, Onboard Hospitality, the session featured three high-level speakers. Aigerim Zhambyl, Senior Manager Inflight Product, Air Astana, presented on ‘More than a flight. Delivering culture through collaboration’. Nick Wiley, Managing Director, En Route, focused on ‘From brief to bite: How collaboration turns passenger insight into onboard success’. Matt Crane, Founder, Aviation Sustainability Forum, discussed ‘Cabin waste: The risk of a wasted opportunity’.
The Expo Stage agenda concluded with the ‘Startup Pitch Session’ – a fitting finale to an event themed ‘Accelerating Innovation’. Moderated by Marta Dimitrova, Head of Marketing & Communications, Future Travel Experience, the session included quick-fire pitches from a selection of high-potential startup companies focusing on customer experience, digital transformation, commercial innovation, and more. Ujwal Makhija, Managing Director, Phonon Communications, presented ‘22North: Always Informed. Always Assured’. Vinod Philips, Founder & CEO, Nikitek, highlighted the impact of the electronic baggage tag. Aurore Martial, Founder, The Zen Gates, discussed ‘Accelerating Innovation Where It’s Least Expected: Wellness as the Next Airport Revenue Engine’. Finally, Abhilash Murthy, Co-Founder, CEO, BotDistrikt, presented on ‘From RAGs to Richer Experiences’.
Meta hosts exclusive, members-only FTE Communities meeting themed ‘Immersive Technologies’
FTE’s Communities bring together the most innovative and progressive organisations to provide a unique platform for sharing, learning, cooperation and industry advancement. Ahead of APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025, Meta Singapore hosted a joint meeting – themed ‘Immersive Technologies’ – that brought together Corporate Partners of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub, as well as members of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) and the FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group. It was an incredible, immersive start to the plethora of activities at APEX FTE Asia Expo.
The meeting was led by Darin Juby, Head of Transformation, Future Travel Experience, and Kevin Kleist, Head of Emerging Trends, Southwest Airlines and Head of Innovation, Digitalisation & Startup Engagement, Future Travel Experience. It featured a packed agenda, including:
- A compelling keynote presentation by Bastian Schütz, Head of XR in Travel, Meta, on ‘Elevating Aviation with Extended Reality’, and a welcome from Lingge Li, Channel Partner Manager, Meta.
- Presentations on how aviation industry stakeholders are using immersive technologies today to enhance operations, delivered by Tomoyuki Kikuchi, Head of Innovation, Ground Handling Planning, All Nippon Airways, and Mark Lakerveld, Director Strategy & Markets, Vanderlande.
- Interactive roundtables exploring how aviation industry stakeholders can make use of immersive technology today. Topics included CX, Workforce, Baggage, Retail & Revenue, and Collaboration.
- Immersive Meta technology demos and networking, and much more.
ANA, ICN, Korean Air, HND, Cathay, CAG, AirAsia, NRT, Singapore Airlines and AAHK recognised in FTE APAC Pioneer Awards 2025
The most pioneering airlines and airports in Asia-Pacific were recognised at the FTE APAC Pioneer Awards 2025 ceremony sponsored by Amadeus. 30 leading airlines and airports from across the region were nominated for pushing the boundaries of innovation, enhancing the customer experience, and playing a vital role in advancing the air transport industry. 10 of the nominees were presented with an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy: All Nippon Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd, Changi Airport Group, Narita International Airport Corporation, and Airport Authority Hong Kong. View the full report here.
The outstanding achievements among our FTE APAC Digital Transformation Power List nominees were also recognised during APEX FTE Asia Expo. Pictured are Jeffrey Loke, Senior Vice President, DIVA (Digital Factory), Changi Airport Group, and Kenneth Chang, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer (Marketing, IT, Cabin Crew, E-Commerce & Global Customer Service Divisions), Korean Air, receiving their FTE APAC Digital Transformation Power List certificates from Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer, Future Travel Experience.
Read more about the FTE Airport Digital Transformation Power List Asia-Pacific 2025 nominees here >>
Read more about the FTE Airline Digital Transformation Power List Asia-Pacific 2025 nominees here >>
2026 APEX Best™ Awards winners honoured in Singapore at APEX FTE Asia Expo
In addition, the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) revealed the 2026 APEX Best™ Awards recipients in Singapore during APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025. Airlines representing Central Asia, Eastern Asia, Greater China, and the South Pacific were recognised for outstanding achievements in enhancing the passenger experience across five core categories: Best Overall, Cabin Service, Food & Beverage, Seat Comfort, and Wi-Fi. The Food & Beverage category was presented in partnership with IFSA (International Flight Services Association). View the full report here.
The APEX FTE Asia Expo Networking Ice Breaker
Changi Airport Group hosted the APEX FTE Asia Expo Networking Ice Breaker at Hub & Spoke – Changi Airport’s outdoor recreation hub next to Terminal 2. Attendees enjoyed food and drinks with live music and fun activities, and had the opportunity to network with peers in both indoor and al-fresco settings at Hub & Spoke. It was an ideal opportunity to see how Changi Airport goes beyond traditional terminal spaces to delight passengers.
APEX FTE Asia Expo Reception & Awards After Party
The FTE APAC Pioneer Awards 2025 ceremony was followed by the APEX FTE Asia Expo Reception & Awards After Party, sponsored by SES. Attendees came together on Level 4 of the iconic Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, offering impressive views over Singapore’s stunning waterfront, for an unforgettable gathering. With breathtaking views of Singapore’s waterfront, delicious drinks, live music, and meaningful conversations, it was the perfect way to unwind after a day filled with conference sessions and exhibitor showcases. The event culminated with a viewing of the spectacular Spectra outdoor light and water show.
Changi Airport Terminal 2 tour
APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025 Headline Partner Changi Airport Group also facilitated guided tours of Terminal 2. In the fascinating briefing, attendees learned about the landside innovations that have been implemented to further enhance the customer experience and operational efficiency. Innovations showcased included Changi’s T2 central common-use Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) zone, which features automated self-service check-in kiosks and bag drop machines. Plus, a focus on robotics and automation, including autonomous cleaning equipment adoption.
Save the date for APEX FTE Expo Asia, 18-19 November 2026 – uniting the world in Singapore for the largest end-to-end passenger experience and innovation expo
Next year, we’re building on 15 years of incredible momentum, as our long-running regional show evolves into a true global mega event with the launch of the unified APEX FTE Expo Asia, bringing together two of the industry’s most respected brands under one roof at the Marina Bay Sands. APEX will bring its largest event, APEX Global EXPO, to Singapore, combining its unrivalled customer experience heritage with FTE’s long-established regional innovation APAC event, which will now take on a broader global focus.
This powerful new collaboration will unite the world in Singapore for the largest end-to-end passenger experience and innovation expo, connecting airline, airport, and technology leaders from across APAC and beyond to showcase the ideas, solutions, and partnerships redefining the future of travel.
With more than 3,000 participants expected, including representatives from 100+ airlines and airport operators from around the world, attendees will experience a dynamic exhibition and conference programme featuring C-suite interviews, case studies, and discussions exploring the strategies, technologies, and collaborations driving the next era of air transport innovation.
Mark your diary for APEX FTE Expo Asia, Singapore, 18-19 November 2026 >>
