The 4th edition of the Global Airports Forum (GAF), scheduled to take place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC) from 16 to 17 December 2025, is set to become the most dynamic in the event’s history. With more than 50 new exhibitors, including Saudia, Amadeus, and SolitAir, the forum will also unveil two pioneering features – the Airport Innovation Hub and Airport Innovation Trail – reflecting the Kingdom’s growing leadership in aviation technology and infrastructure innovation.
Organised by Niche Ideas, and sponsored by Matarat Holding, a subsidiary of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), GAF has established itself as the Kingdom’s largest dedicated airport B2B platform. This year’s edition will feature over 250 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and is expected to attract over 10,000 participants during its two-day run.
An estimated 1,000+ qualified buyers from Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East will take part, with 5,000 pre-scheduled business meetings planned. The event will also host two co-located conferences – the Global Aviation Issues Conference (GAIC) and the Women in Aviation (WIA) General Assembly, bringing together over 100 international speakers.
Among the new features this year are the Future GSE Display, Airport Innovation Hub, Airport Innovation Trail, and the Startups Hub, with dedicated pavilions from Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, highlighting the latest transformative solutions for the global airports industry.
“With most of the world’s leading aviation industry players coming onboard, Global Airports Forum 2025 will be a power-packed edition that will display new technology and discuss issues that are of vital interest to the rapidly-expanding industry,” said Daksha Patel, Event Director at Niche Ideas. “It has been our endeavour to bring the best innovations and ideas to the show for our attendees and the number of new launches this year is a testimony to the global industry’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s vision to transform global air travel.”
The Airport Innovation Trail and Airport Innovation Hub will provide an immersive exploration of innovation-led solutions driving the aviation sector forward – from passenger experience and operations to sustainability, safety, and revenue generation. Through guided experiences and interactive showcases, visitors will discover the technologies reshaping modern airports.
The Airport Innovation Hub will feature five dedicated zones, each focused on efficiency, safety, sustainability, and passenger-centric technologies. Together, these initiatives underscore how innovation and collaboration are redefining the global airport experience.
“We remain dedicated to advancing airport technologies and operational excellence,” said Hasan Ezzeddine, Managing Partner at Bayanat Engineering. “The event provides an opportunity to showcase our continued commitment to innovation, strengthen our collaborations with industry partners, and contribute to the sustainable growth of airport infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and across the region.”
Echoing the sentiment, Bandar Alsafari, Head of Business Development at Swissport Saudi Arabia, said: “We continue to innovate and invest in solutions that enhance operational excellence and elevate service standards for our airline partners.”
“Our experience across Saudi Arabia’s major airports has shown that real progress comes from collaboration and creative engineering,” added Hassan Al Qahtani, CEO of TDC. “GAF-2025 offers a powerful platform to exchange these ideas and showcase how Saudi Arabia is setting new global benchmarks in aviation development.”
Among the notable new exhibitors are Saudia, the nation’s fast-growing flag carrier; Amadeus, a global travel technology leader; Esnad Al Shabakah, a leading aerospace services company; EPG, a unified supply chain software provider; Tecnica Proyectos, a Spanish engineering consultancy; FlyNow Aviation, renowned for its eCopters for urban air mobility; and Ghafari Associates, a global architecture and engineering firm.
The forum arrives at a pivotal time for the global aviation sector, as airports worldwide adopt biometric screening, automated check-ins, and smart baggage systems. Touchless technologies are now central to enhancing passenger experience and safety, while digital solutions are being deployed to maximise the use of existing infrastructure and manage rising passenger volumes.
According to a SITA megatrends report, technology will dramatically shape the travel landscape by 2033, with 97% of airlines planning to develop generative AI programmes. AI, Machine Learning, and computer vision are already being implemented in 31% of airports, with a further 36% expected to follow by 2026. Over 16% of airports have adopted AI and ML for improved decision-making, and 51% plan to implement such solutions within the next year.
For the first time, the Airports Council International (ACI) will participate as an exhibitor, noting: “Airport innovation can be visionary and can help to solve a specific problem or take advantage of opportunities. Airports are committed to providing world-class customer service, and innovation plays an important role in meeting passengers’ needs and expectations.”
The statement added that innovation is not merely about technology but also about fostering a people-centred, creative approach to operational and financial management, requiring executive-level commitment and a culture of transformation.
As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its aviation ecosystem under Vision 2030, GAF 2025 stands as a powerful testament to the Kingdom’s ambition to lead the next era of global airport innovation.
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