World Innovation Summit | 13–15 May 2025 | Pittsburgh

Agenda

The FTE World Innovation Summit will bring together over 400 air transport industry innovators for a three-day interdisciplinary series of conference sessions, interactive workshops, innovation tours, and networking opportunities, all taking place in Pittsburgh.

Among the highlights are exclusive sessions on Pittsburgh International Airport’s Terminal Modernization Programme, offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of the industry’s most innovative projects. Attendees can also participate in interactive workshops, designed to provide hands-on learning and practical insights.

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Keynote Speakers

Sean Doyle - Chairman & CEO, British Airways

Sean Doyle

Chairman & CEO, British Airways

The Opening Keynote at the FTE World Innovation Summit will be delivered by Sean Doyle, Chairman & CEO of British Airways, at PIT's landmark new terminal, providing a rare behind-the-scenes look at the state-of-the-art facility. Doyle became CEO in 2020 and is currently leading a £7 billion airline transformation plan that integrates technology to enhance the passenger experience. His keynote in this unique setting will be a must-hear for industry leaders.

Bernadette Berger - Director of Innovation at Alaska Airlines

Bernadette Berger

Director of Innovation, Alaska Airlines

Following her groundbreaking AI reveal at last year’s FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit, where she announced Alaska Airlines as the first airline to use generative AI for a natural language search tool, Bernadette Berger returns to the FTE World Innovation Summit to deliver another exclusive. She will unveil how Alaska Airlines is harnessing AI, Computer Vision, and Digital Twins to revolutionise the gate experience and ramp operations.

John Thornton - CEO and Co-Founder of Astrobotic

John Thornton

CEO and Co-Founder, Astrobotic

Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic is at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. In this exclusive keynote, John Thornton will share how his company aims to become the first commercial company to successfully land on the moon through Griffin Mission One. Astrobotic has secured over $600m in NASA contracts and is delivering cargo to the Moon for governments, universities, and private enterprises. Following Peregrine Mission One, the company continues its mission with Griffin Mission One, scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025.

Confirmed Speakers

Meet the trailblazing industry leaders who will share their insights at the FTE World Innovation Summit.


Sean Doyle

Sean Doyle

Chairman & CEO

British Airways

Bernadette Berger

Bernadette Berger

Director of Innovation

Alaska Airlines

John Thornton

John Thornton

CEO and Co-Founder

Astrobotic Technology

Martin Kamlah

Martin Kamlah

VP Corporate Development & Operations

Munich Airport International

Paul Hoback

Paul Hoback

Chief Development Officer

Allegheny County Airport Authority

John Thomas

John Thomas

CEO

Connect Airlines

Claus Grunow

Claus Grunow

Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Digitalization

Fraport

Dimitris Bountolos

Dimitris Bountolos

Chief Information & Innovation Officer

Ferrovial

Deepak Nayyar

Deepak Nayyar

EVP – CIO

Allegheny County Airport Authority

View the full list

An agenda focusing on 3 Core Focus Areas:


Advanced Technology

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.

Future Airports

Considering new approaches to airport development, operations, commercial, technology, baggage and PaxEx.

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Incredible Conference Sessions


FTE conferences are renowned for being the best in the business and our sessions in Pittsburgh promises to be up there with our best ever with input from leaders inside and outside the industry, technologists, researchers, entrepreneurs and more to cover topics like digitilisation & technology, physical infrastructure & assets, workforce, commercial & collaboration models, passenger experience, sustainability and much more.

  •   Design, Construction, Delivery & ORAT
  •   Passenger Journey & Commercial Offering
  •   Baggage
  •   Technology & Innovation
  •   Operations - Landside & Airside
Terminal Modernization Programme

Interactive Workshops

In addition to the conference tracks, the FTE World Innovation Summit will feature hands-on workshops designed to deepen your understanding of critical topics and provide actionable takeaways. These collaborative sessions will focus on: Advanced Technology, Energy & Sustainability & Future Airports, designed to provide a deeper dive into the event’s key themes. Led by industry experts and innovators, the workshops will offer actionable insights, real-world applications, and the opportunity to collaborate with peers and thought leaders. Stay tuned for more details on workshop topics and facilitators – coming soon!

Innovation Tours

The Summit will offer attendees a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at some of the most pioneering companies headquartered in Pittsburgh. During previous shows in PIT we have visited key companies like Astrobotic Technology, which is readying its lunar lander for its next moon mission; Gecko Robotics, which offers advanced ultrasonic inspection robots; and Mill19, the catalytic redevelopment of the former Pittsburgh Jones & Laughlin Steel Company mill into a green, sustainable, advanced manufacturing research centre. Attendees also had the opportunity to visit other leading robotics and AI innovators, including Carnegie Robotics, Formlogic and Oshkosh.

Carnegie Mellon

Exclusive look and insights on the PIT Terminal Modernization Program (TMP)

Pittsburgh International Airport is transforming travel by undergoing an ambitious, airport-wide modernization to better meet the needs of a region on the rise. It is an airport designed for the challenges of tomorrow reduces its operational costs—and a smarter, more cost-efficient airport will create a ripple effect of opportunities to better serve passengers. Attendees will get an in-depth look at this landmark new facility ahead of its opening through tours and conference sessions.

Carnegie Mellon

Provisional Agenda Schedule

Essential Timings

Tuesday 13 May
Taking place at Hyatt Pittsburgh International Airport:
  • 08:30-10:30: FTE BIWG meeting
  • 11:00-13:00: FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub meeting
  • 13:00-14:00: FTE Community Day Lunch
Taking place at Pittsburgh International Airport:
  • 14:00-17:00: Guided tours of the new terminal
Taking place at the new terminal:
  • 17:00-18:30: Kickoff Event – doors open, registration & networking
  • 18:30-19:30: Opening Keynote Session
  • 19:30-21:00: Networking, open bar & hors d’oeuvres
Wednesday 14 May
Taking place at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU):
  • 08:00-09:00: Networking breakfast
  • 09:00-12:30: Conference sessions, workshops & tours
  • 12:30-14:00: Networking lunch
  • 14:00-17:00: Conference sessions, workshops & tours
All over Pittsburgh:
  • 18:30-20:00: Happy hour and networking
Thursday 15 May
Taking place at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU):
  • 08:00-09:00: Networking breakfast
  • 09:00-12:30: Conference sessions, workshops & tours
  • 12:30-13:30: Working lunch
  • 13:30-15:00: Finale Session

“I believe innovation is a mindset, and the primary goal of this Summit is to co-create new approaches and highlight how first-movers and pioneers are already leading the charge when it comes to new technology adoption, and energy and sustainability innovation. It will also provide the perfect showcase for our transformational new terminal program, with multiple conference sessions and dedicated tours of the new terminal - opening in 2025 - sure to be among the many event highlights.”

Christina Cassotis, Chief Executive Officer, Pittsburgh International Airport

Read the full letter

Why attend FTE World Innovation Summit 2025?


“This event is the highlight of my year and the conversations, ideas, and collaborations that come out will have a lasting impact on this industry. I think the format (day 1 demos, day 2 lectures and tours, day 3 workshop) allows professionals to get inspired and really drive meaningful conversations.”

Nicole Hodges-Austin, Manager of Airport Innovation & Standards, Frontier Airlines

“Absolutely wonderful. It was very well coordinated, the speakers were phenomenal, the events were engaging, and the attendees were friendly and hospitable. Wonderful job!”

Brian Burdette, Senior Innovation Consultant, DFW International Airport

“The Summit served as a thought-provoking platform for Alaska Airlines. It was two days filled with engaging interactions with core engineers and product demonstrations by innovators in Pittsburgh. The experience of exploring potential applications of these technologies across various facets of our industry was intellectually stimulating, competitively thrilling, and enlightening.”

Gus Naughton, Senior Software Engineer, Emerging Technologies, Alaska Airlines

“The Summit brings together forward-thinking individuals from across the industry in one of the most innovative cities in America. It’s an incredible opportunity to think outside the box and envision the possibilities that lie before us in the future of aviation.”

Kristen Berndt, Senior Manager, Baggage Strategy & Innovation, United Airlines

“The Summit is the only event I’ve participated in – in any industry – that proactively works to develop new partnerships, technologies, and companies to address aviation’s most critical needs. By dedicating significant time to workshops focused on building multi-disciplinary groups of aviation professionals alongside technologists, roboticists, researchers and entrepreneurs, the Summit has created a unique environment than can actually lead to real advances for the industry.”

Cole Wolfson, Director xBridge, Pittsburgh International Airport

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