AI in Aviation Summit
Dubai 2026

Harnessing Intelligence to Transform the Skies

The AI in Aviation Summit in Dubai is the premier global forum for aviation and technology leaders to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping every aspect of air travel — from operations and safety to passenger experience and future mobility.

As the UAE and GCC region emerge as global leaders in intelligent aviation innovation, this summit brings together industry pioneers, airline executives, airport operators, regulators, technologists and investors for 2 days of insight, collaboration and commercial opportunity.


Why Dubai — Why Now

Dubai and the broader UAE have made AI a strategic national priority and are implementing cutting-edge solutions across the aviation ecosystem:

Dubai Airports (DXB) is deploying AI-driven systems for passenger processing, predictive baggage handling, turnaround management, and operational optimization, helping reduce delays and accommodate additional flights within existing infrastructure.

Emirates Group recently announced a strategic collaboration with OpenAI to adopt AI enterprise-wide — from customer experience to operational intelligence — and is establishing an AI Centre of Excellence to accelerate innovation.

Etihad Airways is pioneering advanced AI-powered safety management systems that analyse complex operational data to enhance safety performance and refine risk management.

Across the UAE, airports are upgrading air traffic control systems with AI to bolster safety and efficiency, reduce controller workload, and improve traffic flow.

These initiatives position the UAE as a global showcase for aviation AI innovation, setting benchmarks that other regions aspire to match.


Why These Developments Matter

The GCC region — led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia — is rapidly transforming aviation through AI across:

Passenger Experience

Biometric travel, smart immigration, real-time assistance and app-driven journeys.

Passenger Experience

Biometric travel, smart immigration, real-time assistance and app-driven journeys.

Airport Operations

Predictive analytics, scheduling optimization, ground handling automation and inventory intelligence.

Airport Operations

Predictive analytics, scheduling optimization, ground handling automation and inventory intelligence.

Airline Innovation

Enterprise AI adoption, predictive maintenance, personalized services and strategic AI centres.

Airline Innovation

Enterprise AI adoption, predictive maintenance, personalized services and strategic AI centres.

Regulation & Policy

AI-enabled workflow automation at civil aviation authorities and future-ready frameworks for advanced air mobility.

Regulation & Policy

AI-enabled workflow automation at civil aviation authorities and future-ready frameworks for advanced air mobility.

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Speakers

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Delegates

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Sponsors

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Exhibitors

What You’ll Discover


This summit delivers actionable insights, real case studies, and strategic frameworks including:

AI-Powered Airport Operations

  • Reducing turnaround times and improving flight punctuality with machine-learning systems.
  • Predictive passenger flow and queue management to eliminate bottlenecks.
  • AI for baggage tracking, inventory forecasting and airport logistics.

Airline AI Use Cases

  • How Emirates is embedding generative AI for operational excellence and customer experience.
  • Etihad’s safety analytics platforms that transform maintenance, training and risk management.

Biometric & Contactless Travel

  • Seamless biometric journeys from check-in to boarding at major GCC hubs.
  • AI-integrated customer touchpoints that redefine convenience.

Air Traffic Management &
Next-Gen Mobility

  • AI enhancements in air traffic control systems at DXB and DWC.
  • Future-ready frameworks for air taxis, cargo drones and autonomous flight corridors.


Policy, Governance & Ethical AI

  • AI governance models in the GCC and their impact on aviation safety, data ethics and regulation.


Major AI Developments in the
GCC Aviation Sector

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Dubai Airports: AI-Driven Passenger & Operational Enhancements

• AI “Red Carpet” immigration corridor: Dubai International Airport (DXB) has introduced an AI-powered passport-free corridor that lets travellers pass immigration checks using biometric identity verification, drastically shortening wait times.

• AI for operational efficiency: DXB’s use of AI across passenger processing, baggage handling, aircraft turnaround and ground operations has significantly boosted punctuality, reduced turnaround times by ~5 minutes per flight, and enabled the airport to handle 35–42 more flights daily within existing infrastructure.

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Emirates Group: Strategic AI Partnerships

Collaboration with OpenAI: In a strategic move, Emirates signed a partnership with OpenAI to embed AI (including ChatGPT Enterprise) across its operations — focusing on customer experience, operational problem-solving, and enterprise-wide AI adoption. This also includes AI literacy programmes and plans for a Centre of Excellence for AI in aviation.

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Regulatory & Civil Aviation Innovation

• UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) AI Lab: The GCAA showcased several AI-driven solutions at the ICAO Assembly, including AI assistants for aeronautical knowledge search, automated HR workflows and operational tools aimed at boosting civil aviation efficiency.

• Predictive passenger flow & security screening: The UAE is implementing AI for predictive passenger flow forecasting and automated security screening, enhancing queue management, staffing and threat detection.

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Advanced Air Mobility Initiatives

• AI in Urban Air Mobility (UAM): The UAE has begun mapping air corridors for air taxis and cargo drones, laying the regulatory and technical groundwork for autonomous and AI-enabled aerial transport services targeted for 2026 commercial operations.

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Broader AI Ecosystem Supporting Aviation

• National AI strategy & infrastructure: The UAE’s national AI strategy supports cross-sector AI deployment, including aviation, through investments in AI infrastructure, data centers and research partnerships.

• AI research investment partnerships: TII’s AI & robotics research lab (in partnership with Nvidia) strengthens AI and automation capabilities that can flow into aviation R&D (e.g., autonomous systems, predictive analytics).

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Regional Expansion of AI-Led Aviation Practices

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation AI adoption: The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation is implementing AI systems to manage passenger flows and enhance experience across major airports, including initiatives such as “Bagless Traveler” for automated check-in and baggage handling.

Who Should Attend

This summit is designed for

Innovation Leaders

Airline CIOs, COOs & Innovation Leaders

Airport heads

Airport CEOs, CTOs & Heads of Operations

Policy Makers

Aviation regulators and policy makers

Transportation and Logistics

AI / data science leaders in transportation and logistics

Founders and Vendors

Technology vendors, investors and startup founders

Join Us in Dubai

Position your organisation at the forefront of aviation’s digital transformation — where innovation meets execution.
Register Now!