Future Travel Experience (FTE) has announced that the FTE World Innovation Summit, hosted by Haneda Airport, will take place in Tokyo, Japan, 1-3 March 2027, bringing the global aviation and innovation community together in one of the world’s most advanced technology hubs.
Building on the momentum of its successful inaugural edition in Pittsburgh, the Summit will once again unite inventive minds from across aviation and beyond to collaborate on solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges.
The 2025 event brought together more than 400 global leaders to explore the transformative technologies shaping the future of aviation. Delegates experienced keynote addresses from the CEOs of British Airways and Astrobotic, expert-led panel discussions, live technology demonstrations, and immersive innovation tours across Pittsburgh. Highlights included exclusive previews of Pittsburgh International Airport’s new passenger terminal, as well as a plethora of networking opportunities.
Why Japan?
Japan is aiming to double inbound tourism to 60 million visitors annually by 2030, and the country is actively exploring new approaches and processes to enable and manage this growth.
Across Japan’s air transport ecosystem – including airports, airlines, government agencies and technology companies – there are already world-leading examples of innovation and collaboration. Initiatives involving autonomous vehicles, robotics, smart infrastructure and advanced customer service concepts are helping redefine what the future of aviation could look like.
Japan has also demonstrated its ability to deliver major international events, including the Tokyo Olympics and World Expo 2025, while combining cutting-edge technological innovation with deep cultural heritage.
The country provides an ideal backdrop for the next stage of the FTE World Innovation Summit’s evolution, reflecting a future aviation ecosystem that is technologically advanced, human-centred, globally connected and culturally inspiring.
A message from Kazuhito Tanaka, President, Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd:
“It is a great honour for Tokyo, and for Haneda Airport, to host the FTE World Innovation Summit 2027, marking the first time this prestigious event will be held in Japan. On behalf of Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., I am delighted to extend my warmest welcome to all participants joining us from around the world. Taking full advantage of the unique setting of Tokyo and Haneda Airport, this summit will be held under the overarching theme, “Shaping the Future of Airports and Aviation.” Bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, including airlines, airports, technology companies, and startups – we look forward to vibrant discussions and meaningful exchanges across four key themes: Technology & Autonomous Operations; Employee & Passenger Experience; Energy & Sustainability; and New Mobility & Emerging Markets. Through these conversations, we hope to foster deeper insight, innovation, and collaboration that will help shape the future of the aviation and airport industry. For our company as well, this summit represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships with our global partners and to inspire new ideas, partnerships, and avenues for co-creation that will drive the industry forward. Haneda Airport continues to evolve. As part of our efforts to realise our vision of becoming “the world’s best airport” – one that contributes to maximising the number of air passengers in Japan – we are scheduled to open the Terminal 1 North Satellite facility on September 1. This facility features a hybrid timber-and-steel structure that supports our commitment to carbon neutrality. We hope you will visit Haneda Airport when you come to Tokyo to experience this new initiative firsthand, and we look forward to discussing the future of aviation and airports with you. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Tokyo and Haneda Airport in March 2027.”
Max Gosney, Managing Director, Future Travel Experience, added: “Since launching FTE back in 2006 the team has been passionate about staging a show in Japan because of the country’s passion for innovation, technology and outstanding guest experiences which are so aligned with our values. Through our hosts Haneda Airport I know we will stage something truly memorable for all participants that will join us from across the world – I believe Japan will be at the epicentre of efforts to reimagine the future of travel, and this show will be central to that.”
What to expect in 2027
The FTE World Innovation Summit programme will be designed to deliver practical insights and collaborative outcomes for airports, airlines, OEMs, government agencies, suppliers and startups. The 2027 edition will focus on four core themes: Technology & Autonomous Operations, Energy & Sustainability, New Mobility & Emerging Markets, and Employee & Passenger Experience.
The Summit will feature a highly interactive programme including innovation tours across Tokyo, startup and academia pitch sessions, collaborative workshops aligned to the four core themes, and extensive networking events across the city.
Approximately 350 senior participants from leading global airlines, airports and tech companies are expected to attend, creating a global and cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas.
Hosted at Haneda Innovation City
The 2027 FTE World Innovation Summit will be hosted at Haneda Innovation City (HICity) – Japan’s first smart airport city.
Located adjacent to Haneda Airport, HICity is designed to bring together aviation stakeholders, technology companies, researchers and industry partners in a collaborative environment where ideas can move rapidly from concept to real-world deployment.
The campus includes research and development facilities for major technology companies including Denso and Kawasaki, alongside offices, demonstration areas and convention spaces.
A major highlight for Summit participants will be the opportunity to explore terminal.0 HANEDA, a dedicated research and development centre focused on developing and testing next-generation airport technologies.
terminal.0 serves as a collaborative platform where new ideas are created, tested and deployed across Haneda Airport’s terminals, with the long-term ambition of scaling successful solutions across airports throughout Japan and internationally.
A global gathering of aviation innovators
The FTE World Innovation Summit attracts a diverse mix of stakeholders from across the aviation ecosystem and adjacent industries.
Participants include senior leaders from airports and airlines, technology suppliers, OEMs, government agencies, startups and academic institutions, all working together to accelerate innovation and explore new approaches to the challenges facing the air transport sector.
With its unique combination of collaboration, real-world demonstrations and immersive innovation tours, the Summit is designed to move beyond discussion and generate tangible outcomes for organisations looking to transform the future of travel.
The FTE World Innovation Summit will be delivered in partnership with Haneda Expo 2027.
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