A worldwide Summit uniting inventive minds to tackle aviation’s biggest challenges, and uncover Tokyo’s vibrant tech and innovation landscape.
Express Your InterestCollaboration & Purpose
The FTE World Innovation Summit relocates to Tokyo for its 2027 edition, bringing the event to one of the world’s most advanced technology and innovation ecosystems. Taking place in Japan’s capital, the Summit continues FTE’s mission to unite inventive minds from across aviation and beyond, while giving delegates first-hand exposure to global centres of excellence shaping the future of air transport.
The move to Tokyo follows the success of the inaugural FTE World Innovation Summit, which took place in May 2025 at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Building on FTE and Pittsburgh International Airport’s long-running partnership through the Aviation & Robotics Summits in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 event brought together global leaders to explore the transformative technologies shaping the future of aviation. Delegates experienced inspirational keynotes from the CEOs of British Airways and Astrobotic, expert-led panels, live technology demonstrations, immersive innovation tours across the city, an early preview of their new passenger terminal and extensive networking in the ‘Robotics Capital of the World’.
Why Japan for 2027?
Japan is looking to double tourism to sixty million visitors annually by 2030 and is actively exploring new approaches, and processes, to fuel and manage that growth. There are already world leading examples of innovation and collaboration amongst the Japanese air transport stakeholders and government agencies in areas like autonomous vehicles and robotics that we would like to showcase to the world, as well as many exciting companies and startups who have huge export potential for our industry.
Japan has repeatedly proven its ability to deliver world-class international events in recent years through the Tokyo Olympics and World Expo 2025. It is where automation, robotics and world-renowned service culture converge. As a global leader in robotics, automation, smart infrastructure and customer experience, it offers a unique backdrop for the Summit.
Hosted at Haneda Innovation City
The 2027 Summit will be hosted at Haneda Innovation City (HICity) – Japan’s first smart airport city, purpose-built to bring together advanced technology, research and real-world application. Located adjacent to Haneda Airport, HICity is designed to enable collaboration between aviation stakeholders, technology companies, researchers and industry partners, creating an environment where innovation can move quickly from concept to deployment. HICity brings together research and development facilities for the likes of Denso and Kawasaki, offices, convention and demonstration spaces within a single integrated campus.
A major highlight will be the opportunity to explore terminal.0 HANEDA – a dedicated research and development centre created to address future airport challenges and pioneer next-generation terminal concepts. terminal.0 serves as a collaborative platform where new ideas are developed from the ground up, tested, and deployed across Haneda’s terminals, with the long-term vision of scaling successful solutions to airports across Japan and around the world.
Hosting the Summit at Haneda Innovation City ensures participants will not just discuss the future of aviation, but experience it first-hand within one of the world’s most advanced airport innovation ecosystems.
Focus & Audience
The FTE World Innovation Summit 2027 will centre on four core focus areas: Technology & Autonomous Operations, Energy & Sustainability, New Mobility & Emerging Markets, and Employee & Passenger Experience. Together, these themes reflect the strategic, operational and human challenges shaping the next phase of global air transport.
The Summit is designed for senior leaders and innovators from airports, airlines, OEMs, government agencies, technology providers and service partners across the aviation ecosystem. To maximise participation from industry decision-makers, complimentary passes will be available for qualifying airport and airline representatives, subject to approval and availability.
Key Summit Features
- Four Focus topics: Technology & Autonomous Operations, Energy & Sustainability, New Mobility & Emerging Markets, and Employee & Passenger Experience.
- Showcase of technology, products & services by exciting industry suppliers and startups
- Amazing Conference & Interactive workshops aligned to all four core themes
- Innovation tours across Tokyo, including visits to leading technology companies and exclusive access to innovation across the Haneda Airport (HND) campus
- Startup & academia pitch sessions spotlighting emerging solutions & concepts
- Extensive social & networking events throughout the city
Free for Airlines & Airports
Senior airline and airport representatives can attend the FTE World Innovation Summit completely free of charge, subject to approval and availability.
Express Your InterestKey Focus Areas For the 2027 Show:
Technology & Autonomous Operations
Exploring cutting-edge technologies and approaches that will shape the future of aviation.
Energy & Sustainability
Driving new approaches to sustainability & energy for a greener aviation future.
New Mobility & Emerging Markets
Considering new approaches to airport and airline development, operations, commercial strategies, technology, baggage and passenger experience.
Employee & Passenger Experience
Reimagining how airports and airlines empower staff and enhance customer experience through smarter tools, better environments and human-centred innovation.
A message from our host
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.
In Partnership With
Why attend the FTE World Innovation Summit 2027?
“I love the FTE World Innovation Summit - it is my favourite FTE experience. There’s something truly magical about the people who attend. I met incredible partners, brilliant thinkers, and even lifelong friends through this event. The conversations and ideas that emerged from being together in person were outstanding – and that’s what makes it so special.”
“I am delighted to hear that the FTE World Innovation Summit is coming to Tokyo next year. I was at last year’s excellent event in Pittsburgh and am very active within the FTE eco-system from the pioneering Smart Ramp program through to its working groups and other events around the world, and my participation has been invaluable to my efforts driving transformation in the ground handling space for ANA. FTE gatherings are unique and so valuable for bringing all key industry stakeholders together, including dynamic industry suppliers, who are very focused on the future, and driving new approaches forward and talking face to face is so much better than any other means of engagement, and this is why I am so pleased the world’s innovators will descend on Tokyo next year. We have much to showcase here in Japan including our extensive work with autonomous vehicles, and HiCity is a great base for the show’s activities. It is sure to be a wonderful gathering and we look forward to welcoming you to Tokyo!”
“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.”
“The innovation tours were absolutely spectacular. I would absolutely recommend the FTE Innovation Summit – not only to those in aviation, but to innovators from outside the industry as well. So I would say to everyone: come to FTE, share your knowledge, and let’s innovate together.”
“I took part in several tours, and it’s been truly inspiring to see a brand-new terminal come to life. There’s been a lot of food for thought to bring back to my team, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s event.”
“There is a lot of innovation in the airline industry at the moment, much of which is under the radar. So, the FTE World Innovation Summit provides a great opportunity to better understand what is going on.”
“I would absolutely recommend the FTE events to industry stakeholders – it’s all about the network, and through this, we can collectively accelerate the scaling of innovation across the global aviation industry.”
“The Summit brings together forward-thinking individuals from across the industry. It’s an incredible opportunity to think outside the box and envision the possibilities that lie before us in the future of aviation.”
“We felt that the FTE World Innovation Summit would be a valuable platform to help us connect with other airlines and airports around the world – and it absolutely was. It was a big investment for us as a smaller, privately-owned company, but we’ll probably do it again. And for me as CEO to say it was worth the money – that really says something.”
Express Your Interest
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