- The Airports Innovate 2026 programme features a panel session dedicated to automation and robotics in airports .
- The panel includes representatives from Munich Airport, Heathrow, Stuttgart Airport, and A&K Robotics .
- Discussion topics include organisational readiness, stakeholder engagement, and integration with existing infrastructure .
- The event is organised by ACI EUROPE, ACI World, and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East .
- Airports Innovate will take place from 23-25 November 2026, in Barcelona .
Airport innovation leaders have been preparing for a critical dialogue on the transition of automation and robotics from pilot projects to permanent operational fixtures, with a dedicated session now scheduled for Airports Innovate 2026 in Barcelona .
The programme for the event, organised by ACI EUROPE, ACI World, and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, has already confirmed a panel that will dissect the practical realities of introducing these technologies into the airport environment . The session, titled ‘Automation, New Machines, and Robotics,’ brings together a panel including Szilvia Turcsik from Heathrow Airport Limited, Alina Henne from Stuttgart Airport, and Matthew Anderson from A&K Robotics, to address the organisational readiness and integration challenges that often determine the success or failure of such innovations .
The panel’s discussion will centre on the factors enabling solutions to progress from experimentation to scalable operational value, covering lessons learned from early projects and the impact on airport teams and day-to-day operations .
Airport leaders attending the 23-25 November event in Barcelona will examine how these technologies are enhancing efficiency and strengthening resilience, moving beyond theoretical benefits to the complexities of integration with existing infrastructure . The focus on “moving from pilot to operations” signals a growing maturity in the sector’s approach to automation, as airports have been testing autonomous machines and robotics across various operational contexts for several years.
