APEX FTE EMEA Conference
Benchmark your organisation’s innovation levels against the industry’s best.
Innovation With Impact: Practical Solutions for Air Transport’s Next Chapter
Across a dynamic three-day agenda, airlines, airports, and industry disruptors will join forces with technology giants, startups, academia, and parallel industries to explore how innovation can drive meaningful change.
Sessions will delve into the most exciting developments in digital transformation, customer experience, commercial optimisation, inflight innovation, operational efficiency, baggage and ramp management, identity, sustainability, and the airport of the future.
Each track is designed to inspire collaboration and spark practical ideas that deliver measurable impact.
Key Topics to be Addressed in the Conference
Explore how cutting-edge technology and innovation will shape the future of air transport.
Our 2026 conference agendas are currently in development, but you can explore the 2025 agendas to get a feel for the calibre of speakers, discussions, and inspiration you can expect at this year’s event.
APEX FTE EMEA Conference Agenda 2025
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Tuesday 10th June 2025
FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group meeting (members only)
The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) brings together the most innovative and progressive baggage supply chain companies, airlines, and airports from across the industry to provide a unique platform for cooperation and industry advancement. It is the platform for developing new techniques, technologies, and business models to deliver tangible change in the baggage sector. There are over 130 BIWG members, all playing an active role in the industry’s leading learning and networking platform for those serious about baggage transformation. Topics to be covered in this meeting include AI and GenerativeAI, plus an exclusive update on the BOOST programme.
This meeting is open exclusively to members of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group.
Hosted by:
FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub meeting (Corporate Partners only)
In this members-only FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub meeting, our Corporate Partners can expect keynotes, interactive discussions, and quick-fire pitches from a selection of pioneering startups, plus plenty of opportunities to network with fellow innovators. The FTE Hub is a truly unique community, designed specifically for the individuals and organisations who are at the forefront of digital transformation and innovation in the aviation industry. Members openly share expertise, experiences and inspiration year-round through curated virtual and in-person meet-ups.
This meeting is open exclusively to Corporate Partners of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub.
Hosted by Microsoft
City of Dublin Walking Tour
Brought to you by passenger disruption experts:
At FTE we pride ourselves on providing the very best in networking events; enabling our guests to unwind and connect with like-minded industry peers in a relaxed environment. To support this ambition, we have teamed up with passenger disruption experts Plan3, to invite attendees to join them on Tuesday 10 June for a City of Dublin walking tour.
Enjoy a local taste of Dublin in this two-hour guided tour of the historical and cultural sights of this beautiful city, before joining your fellow FTE Dublin attendees at the FTE Dublin Ice Breaker at Brewdog, Dublin Outpost.
Now fully booked
The FTE Dublin Ice Breaker at BrewDog, Dublin Outpost
To kick off the show we invite delegates to join us at BrewDog, Dublin Outpost! A first opportunity to meet with your fellow FTE attendees and connect with industry colleagues both new and established. Featuring delicious brews from BrewDog, a mouth-watering menu and live music from local talents; whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast, a music lover, or just looking to recharge after a long flight, we invite you to grab a cold drink, play some bar games, and enjoy the fantastic views of the River Liffey. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and start the conference on a high note!
Wednesday 11th June 2025
FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group members’ networking breakfast (members only)
The meeting will feature a special roundtable discussion on “Innovative Approaches to Driving Passenger Spend.” Moderated by Eric Leopold, Founder & Managing Director of Threedot this session is designed to foster rich conversation and the exchange of actionable insights among industry peers.
This members-only breakfast session, taking place at the RDS, is open exclusively to members of the FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group.
Show opening, plus networking & coffee
FTE warmly welcomes attendees to the official opening, where you can enjoy a light breakfast and hot drinks, and network with fellow attendees ahead of a day of conference sessions and meetings.
Opening Keynote Session (joint session for all attendees)
Daniel Coleman
Founder & Chairman
Future Travel Experience
Dr. Joe Leader
Group CEO
APEX/IFSA/FTE
Exclusive: An industry first in a time of transformation
For the last half-decade, Christie led Spirit Airlines, the largest ultra low-cost carrier of its kind globally. Spirit defined the sweet spot between low-cost efficiency and elevated experience, with Big Front Seats offering comfort comparable to U.S. first class and European business class with GoComfy-style blocked middle seats. In this exclusive keynore, Ted Christie, former President and CEO of Spirit Airlines, will share bold insights on guest empowerment, emotional loyalty, and ancillary commercial reinvention, followed by a fireside conversation and open audience Q&A.
AI, Innovation & Digital Transformation Excellence
Each speaker will deliver a 15-minute presentation before the session moves into an interactive panel discussion where all participants will share their views on how industry stakeholders should navigate the tech landscape.
Andrew Price
Aviation Consultant
Opermium
How daa Labs is embracing innovation to enhance CX and operations
Ruairí Kell
Head of Innovation
daa Labs
Turkish Airlines’ ambition is to rank among the top three global airlines for digital passenger experience. What are the key elements of the airline’s strategy for achieving this objective – from AI, biometrics and connectivity to an all-encompassing mobile-first experience?
Hakan Sögüt
SVP Customer Solutions
Turkish Airlines Technology
Refreshment break in the exhibition hall
Special Keynote (joint session for all attendees)
How the new IAGi accelerator and ventures will help to take innovation to new heights for IAG and its airlines.
Nacho Tovar
Head of Corporate Venture Capital
International Airlines Group (IAG)
FTE EMEA Innovate Awards Pitch Session: Best New CX Concept
Option 1
At the epicentre of this show is the region’s largest and most respected innovation competition. Industry stakeholders will pitch on-stage in an effort to impress our judges and audience, whose all-important votes will dictate who wins.
Each finalist will deliver a five-minute pitch, followed by quick-fire questions and comments from the judges.
Finalists include:
Five-minute pitch from each finalist, followed by quick-fire questions and comments from the judges.
Kevin Kleist
Head of Emerging Trends
Southwest Airlines
Rahel de Vriend
Head of Innovation Research & Scouting
TNW Programs
Javed Malik
Founder, Bytes not Bricks (former COO, AirAsia Group and BLR Airport)
Bytes not Bricks
Arcube’s post-flight technology to transform idle miles into loyalty incentives
Prithveesh Reddy
Co-Founder & CEO
Arcube
Hands In’s flexible split payment technology for high-value and group bookings
Maristela Venturini
Commercial Director
Hands In
MATA’s revenue-generating transformation of the arrival baggage carousel
Mohannad Abdulghani
COO
Mata Logistic
Nomtek’s immersive Apple Vision Pro inflight entertainment platform
Jan Solecki
Aviation Partner
nomtek
The FTE EMEA Baggage Innovation Summit: How can we collaboratively bring new innovations to life to enhance baggage delivery in the very near future?
Option 2
Following a scene-setting introduction by the moderator, the panellists will participate in a fast-paced and interactive discussion.
Darin Juby
Head of Transformation
Future Travel Experience
Yorick Buys
Head of Baggage
Brussels Airport
Ina Eldøy
CEO
BagID
Pablo Lopez Loeches
Head of Ideation & Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Customer Experience Directorate
Aena
Laurie Keita
Head of Baggage & Logistics
British Airways
- Engaging with startups, POCs and scaling
- What are the biggest barriers to entry and how can we, as an industry, overcome them?
- Funding (CAPEX/OPEX) – should the costs be shared between airports and airlines?
- What are the main safety and regulatory considerations here, and how should we address these?
Launch BOOST whitepaper on operational concept of the future
Yorick Buys
Head of Baggage
Brussels Airport
Wopke Dost
Programme Management Lead
nlmtd
Special presentation
Option 1
The ‘Airports for Innovation’ network launched by Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) now includes 10 leading airports worldwide, who test and implement a variety of cutting-edge solutions simultaneously. What are the key results to date, and what are the main takeaways from the first joint ‘Call for Startups’?
Giorgia Marizza
Acceleration Program, Open Innovation & Digital Specialist
Aeroporti di Roma
Lunch break in the exhibition hall
Startup Pitch Session
The APEX FTE EMEA and Ancillary & Retailing Startup Pitch Session will provide a platform for high-potential startups to showcase their products and services that have been developed to enhance the customer experience, operational efficiency and commercial performance.
Emu Analytics: Emu Analytics’ digital twin for improved airside operations
Martine Skaret
Senior Marketing and Business Growth Manager
Emu Analytics
myPlane: Commercial charter flight distribution digitalised
Juuso Klemola
Co-Founder
myPlane
Orb Media: Beyond Duty Free: Interactive Retail for the Passenger Economy
Ciara Sheahan
CEO
Orb Media
Platform 195: How to build multi-million dollar media ancillary revenue stream
Stuart Adamson
CEO & Founder
Platform 195
Arcube: 12+ Ancillaries, 10% Increase in Avg. Order Value with 6 Weeks Deployment and No Upfront Cost
Prithveesh Reddy
Co-Founder & CEO
Arcube
Laying the foundations for an automated future – insights from industry pioneers
Each speaker will deliver a 15-minute presentation, before the moderator leads an interactive panel discussion.
Ryan Ghee
Chief Operating Officer
Future Travel Experience
How IAG is making the Smart Stand a reality
Harvey Tate
Senior Manager - Airport Automation
International Airlines Group (IAG)
Key learnings on testing autonomous technology in Schiphol’s complex and regulated environment
Silvia Rey Abeijón
Innovator, Innovation Hub
Royal Schiphol Group
The journey to autonomous operations: building the right foundations
Asteris Apostolidis
Senior Lead, Technical Innovation & Emerging Technologies
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Refreshment break in the exhibition hall
Fireside Chat: How Ireland brought low fares travel to the world, and the key lessons learned along the way
Ryan Ghee
Chief Operating Officer
Future Travel Experience
How a small group of Irish entrepreneurs brought low-fare air travel around the world, and the key lessons learned along the way
Exclusive Ryanair Deep Dive – Innovative new approaches at the airport, inflight, and in the digital and commercial realms across Europe’s largest airline group
Daniel Coleman
Founder & Chairman
Future Travel Experience
John Hurley
Chief Technology Officer
Ryanair
Tom Kelly
Director – Ground Operations
Ryanair
Sinead Quinn
Director of Inflight
Ryanair
Greg O’Gorman
Director of Ancillary Revenue
Ryanair
Networking Reception & FTE and APEX Awards Ceremony
Make the most of the vital networking opportunities provided at the FTE Dublin Networking Reception, where delegates can enjoy demonstrations in the exhibition and network with their peers over drinks before our Awards ceremony.
It has been a time of real transformation across the industry, and we will honour and recognise those efforts in Dublin. 15 airlines and 15 airports will be shortlisted for the FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Awards 2025, with three in each category being honoured for outstanding achievement during the ceremony. We will also celebrate the members of the 2025 FTE EMEA Airline and Airport Power Lists.
Following this, the APEX Best in Airline Awards ceremony will take place, recognising airlines for their outstanding CX efforts.
FTE Awards sponsored by:
Summer in Dublin Travel Massive Meet Up
The Travel Massive Dublin Chapter invites FTE delegates to attend a meet-up in the iconic watering hole, Café En Seine. The “Summer in Dublin” informal social event is the perfect opportunity to continue your conference networking and connect with the local travel community. The not-for-profit Travel Massive Dublin has been hosting free-to-attend social events, insightful interviews, educational panels, and generally supporting the travel industry in Ireland since October 2013.
Co-hosted by:
Thursday 12th June 2025
Registration & Exhibition Opens
Day 2 Opening Keynote Panel (joint session for all attendees)
A fast-moving panel discussion exploring CX, innovation, digital transformation, and future opportunities and challenges.
Jamie Heaslip
Ireland & UK Strategic Growth Lead
Stripe & International Rugby Legend
Dave O’Donovan
Chief Digital & Transformation Officer
Aer Lingus
Vincent Harrison
Chief Commercial & Development Officer
daa
FTE EMEA Innovate Awards Pitch Session: Most Innovative Airline Initiative
At the epicentre of this show is the region’s largest and most respected innovation competition. Industry stakeholders will pitch on-stage in an effort to impress our judges and audience, whose all-important votes will dictate who wins.
Each finalist will deliver a five-minute pitch, followed by quick–fire questions and comments from the judges.
Finalists include:
Five-minute pitch from each finalist, followed by quick-fire questions and comments from the judges.
Kevin Kleist
Head of Emerging Trends
Southwest Airlines
Rahel de Vriend
Head of Innovation Research & Scouting
TNW Programs
Javed Malik
Founder, Bytes not Bricks (former COO, AirAsia Group and BLR Airport)
Bytes not Bricks
Emirates’ One Device programme empowering crew with real-time data and tools
Sebastian Blumenthal
Head of Digital Platforms, Product Innovation & Performance, Service Delivery
Emirates
Qatar Airways’ AI-powered conversational booking platform Sama
Roberto Patti
Digital Brand Manager
Qatar Airways
Alaa Khalefa
Design Futures Manager
Qatar Airways
SAS’ ‘Destination Unknown’ loyalty experience
Johanna Gustafsson
Head of Brand
SAS
SunExpress’ machine learning model for accurate fuel planning and emissions reduction
Şafak Şeber
Corporate Solutions Manager
SunExpress
Oğuzhan Doğan Albayrak
Performance Analysis Senior Specialist (IOCC)
SunExpress
TUI’s Iridium-powered streaming and messaging platform for inflight digital engagement
Dagmar Fischer
Head of Customer Experience
TUI
Lewis Munro
Customer Experience Manager – Digital, Communication & Innovation
TUI
Refreshment break in the exhibition hall
Special Keynote (joint session for all attendees)
Elevating Aviation: Unlocking the potential of Extended Reality & Immersive Experiences
Bastian Schütz
Head of XR in Travel
Meta
Creating truly unique and memorable customer experiences – inspiration from across the globe
Option 1
Following a scene-setting presentation, the moderator will lead an interactive panel discussion.
Dr. Joe Leader
Group CEO
APEX/IFSA/FTE
688 projects in three years: How Riyadh Airports Company’s innovative ‘BRIDGE’ programme is redefining the customer experience at King Khalid International Airport
Nawaf A. Alzadjali
Senior Director – Customer Experience
Riyadh Airports
Eric Pateman
Vice President, Passenger Experience and Chief Experience Officer
Vancouver Airport Authority
Enda Kavanagh
Product Manager (Inflight Customer Experience)
Aer Lingus
Giorgia Marizza
Acceleration Program, Open Innovation & Digital Specialist
Aeroporti di Roma
- How can you find the right balance between technology and the human touch?
- How can you ensure that all departments and employees buy into your CX vision and successfully support your CX goals?
- How can the industry make better use of data to enhance the end-to-end customer experience?
- How can all stakeholders work together more effectively to support the shared ambition of creating a smooth and memorable travel experience?
- What can the aviation industry learn from other industries with regards to CX?
Interactive Roundtable: What can be done as an industry to accelerate bringing new innovations to life to enhance baggage handling?
Darin Juby
Head of Transformation
Future Travel Experience
Lunch break in the exhibition hall
FTE Communities Captains Briefing
Hear about the latest developments from the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub and FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group.
Darin Juby
Head of Transformation
Future Travel Experience
Kevin Kleist
Head of Emerging Trends
Southwest Airlines
Special Keynote (joint session for all attendees)
How Booking.com is successfully tapping into the power of technology, including AI
Morna McAulay
Director of Trips Data Engineering
Booking.com
FTE EMEA Innovate Awards Pitch Session: Most Innovative Airport Initiative
At the epicentre of this show is the region’s largest and most respected innovation competition. Industry stakeholders will pitch on-stage in an effort to impress our judges and audience, whose all-important votes will dictate who wins.
Each finalist will deliver a five-minute pitch, followed by quick–fire questions and comments from the judges.
Five-minute pitch from each finalist, followed by quick-fire questions and comments from the judges.
Kevin Kleist
Head of Emerging Trends
Southwest Airlines
Rahel de Vriend
Head of Innovation Research & Scouting
TNW Programs
Javed Malik
Founder, Bytes not Bricks (former COO, AirAsia Group and BLR Airport)
Bytes not Bricks
Aeroporti di Roma’s airport-wide innovation ecosystem and startup accelerator
Giorgia Marizza
Acceleration Program, Open Innovation & Digital Specialist
Aeroporti di Roma
Berlin Brandenburg Airport’s AI-driven customer service platform
Christian Draeger
Senior Vice President, Passenger Experience
Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Smart Lost & Found: Enhancing passenger trust through tech
Pablo Lopez Loeches
Head of Ideation & Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Customer Experience Directorate
Aena
Munich Airport’s PM@MUC process mining platform driving real-time operational efficiency
Julian Rott
Head of Data & Processes (and Deputy VP Digital)
Munich Airport
Royal Schiphol Group’s hydrogen-powered ground power unit
Willem de Jongh
Innovation Manager
Royal Schiphol Group
Refreshment break in the exhibition hall
FTE EMEA Innovate Awards Ceremony & Farewell Drink
We wrap up two days of learning, networking and inspiration by inviting all attendees to relax and enjoy a farewell drink and see who comes out top in the FTE EMEA Innovate Awards 2025.
During the past two days, attendees will have heard from a variety of industry stakeholders, each pitching on stage in an effort to impress our judges and their fellow aviation peers. Join us as we see the region’s largest and most respected innovation competition come to a close. The all-important audience votes will be tallied, and we will announce and celebrate our FTE EMEA Innovate Awards 2025 winners.
What Our Community Says
Hear directly from the airline, airport, and industry leaders who make FTE Global the definitive event for air transport innovation.
“It has been very valuable for us to network with our airport partners here at APEX FTE Dublin, as well listening into what the future is going to be bringing us, considering the customer experience and evolution of the airport environment. We also had a chance to meet with some service providers, which may be contributing to our products and …offers. So, it’s a great opportunity to meet with stakeholders from the airport environment and exchange ideas. In terms of networking, I think it’s wonderful that we are given the opportunity to set up some catch-up times with the other attendees, and it gives us an opportunity to meet with senior executives of the airports and other companies too. I’m pleased that we’ve been attending APEX FTE Dublin for a long time now and we will hopefully be back again next year. ”
“It has been a marvellous and very well organised event, with great speakers and excellent networking. I think it is a very personal show with the opportunity to meet many potential partners. I have really enjoyed it. ”
“The experience here at FTE EMEA and FTE Ancillary & Retailing has been really great. What I have most enjoyed is the networking opportunities, which have enabled us to make many new connections and will potentially lead to new commercial relationships. ”
“The event has been very good, with lots of interesting new companies to talk to. Some of the tech on display is excellent, so I have been delighted to spend time here and hopefully there will be some opportunities for us afterwards with new companies. I would thoroughly recommend attending FTE EMEA and FTE Ancillary & Retailing – it has …been very enjoyable, with lots of good new relationships being built here. ”
“It’s been a good few days for us here at APEX FTE Dublin, with excellent networking and the opportunity to discuss our solutions with the airlines and those that are looking at the ancillary products. I’ve actually had the opportunity to attend some of the conference sessions as well and they’ve been very fruitful, with a lot of insight into …AI and automation. The social events at APEX FTE Dublin are fantastic – we always get off to a great start with the ‘Ice Breaker’, which is perfect for informal networking. This is our third year attending and we are committed to attending again next year. A big thumbs up for FTE. ”
“My overall experience here at APEX FTE Dublin has been very good. It’s a well-balanced event, with great content, well attended, and excellent networking. It’s nice and easy to connect with people here and I have found the networking opportunities fantastic. The social events have been in great venues, really well managed, and we have made a lot of good …connections. APEX FTE Dublin is definitely an event I would come back to. ”
APEX FTE EMEA 2026 Registration
Join us in Dublin for the industry’s most forward-thinking APEX EMEA show.
Register NowVital Event Information
APEX FTE EMEA 2026 will be the region’s most forward-thinking passenger experience and ancillary-focused event. The show will bring together the most progressive airlines, airports, vendors, startups, and other stakeholders to learn, collaborate and be inspired on how to transform commercial and operational performance through innovation, automation, AI, digital, partnerships and new business models.
- Event:
- APEX FTE EMEA 2026
- Date:
- – June 2026
- Location:
- RDS Dublin, Ireland