Global Airports Forum 2026 will return to Riyadh from 30 November to 1 December 2026 to bring together airport operators, aviation authorities, investors, technology providers and infrastructure stakeholders to shape discussions on the future of global aviation and airport development.
Matarat Holding and its subsidiaries are behind the event, which is further cementing its position as a strategic platform aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aspirations to make the Kingdom a leading global aviation hub. This fifth edition marks an expansion of its remit, moving from a traditional exhibition format to a broader high-level industry forum aimed at transformation and collaboration.
Matarat Holding, an arm of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), will serve as the main sponsor, alongside subsidiaries including SILZ, Cluster 2, DACO, JEDCO and Riyadh Airports. The forum will take place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center and is expected to gather key decision-makers from across the global aviation ecosystem, including airport operators, regulators, investors, consultants, airlines and technology providers.
This year’s edition will place stronger emphasis on cross-sector collaboration and integrated aviation ecosystems, reflecting the increasing complexity of airport operations and development worldwide. Discussions will span airport infrastructure expansion, investment and financing, smart airport technologies, digital transformation, passenger experience, sustainability, security, airspace innovation, workforce development and the growing role of artificial intelligence and predictive operations in airport management.
The programme will also include executive-level workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on digital transformation strategies, integrated airport operations and next-generation aviation systems, reinforcing the event’s role as a knowledge and innovation hub for the sector.
As Saudi Arabia continues to drive some of the world’s largest airport expansion and infrastructure programmes, Global Airports Forum 2026 aims to strengthen its position as a central meeting point linking government bodies, airport developers, investors and technology providers working on current and future aviation projects across the region and beyond.
International participation is also expected to grow, with country pavilions and aviation stakeholders from major markets including Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom joining the event, further reinforcing its global reach.
Alongside the conference and exhibition programme, the 2026 edition will introduce an enhanced VIP Buyers Programme, expanded networking initiatives and curated business engagement opportunities designed to strengthen commercial relationships between exhibitors, government stakeholders and airport buyers across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, MENA, Africa and Asia.
New Saudi-focused initiatives will also be introduced, including the Saudi Ready exhibitor programme and Guided Innovation Tours, aimed at helping participants identify technologies and solutions aligned with the Kingdom’s aviation development priorities.
Commenting on the upcoming edition, Event Director Daksha Patel highlighted that the forum is evolving in step with the rapid transformation of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector and the broader global airport landscape. She emphasized the growing importance of collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange as the industry moves toward more integrated, sustainable and technology-driven airport operations.
The Global Airports Forum 2026 will bring together a wide spectrum of international aviation stakeholders and will further establish itself as a key platform in shaping the next chapter of global airport development.
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