Successful appearance at PTE World 2026: Focus on sustainable airport processes

The Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference (PTE World) 2026 in London once again served as the central platform for decision-makers from the international aviation industry. Over 11,000 professionals and executives from airports, airlines, and government agencies used the event to exchange ideas on trends, innovations, and new standards in the aviation sector. 

Drees & Sommer presented alongside its partners lcmd and NEURA Robotics, demonstrating how robotics-based solutions can be integrated into real-world airport processes—from concept to operational implementation. The focus was on concrete use cases that create measurable added value for airport operations, passenger flow, and resilience. 

Valuable Exchange with the Industry 

During the three days of the trade show, we held numerous discussions with experts from around the world and were able to expand our network in a targeted manner. The dialogues confirmed: Airports are facing profound changes—and at the same time, new technologies offer significant potential for more efficient, safer, and economically stable operations.

The six defining themes of PTE World 2026

The trade show particularly highlighted the following key areas: 

• Economic and geopolitical conditions required robust and adaptable airport structures; rising costs intensified this need for action.
• Additional revenue streams continued to gain relevance as a component of modern resilience strategies.
• Labor shortages and efficiency requirements made the use of innovative technologies and lean processes indispensable—evident, among other things, through current disruptions such as strikes.
• Airports continued to function as drivers of innovation and economic catalysts; efficiency and diversification became key success factors.
• At a time when travel is once again increasingly perceived as a special experience, airports are evolving into destination experiences; the passenger experience remains crucial in this context.
• Security remained a key focus—both for seamless travel processes and for protecting infrastructure. 

Conclusion

PTE World 2026 demonstrated that the aviation industry is clearly looking ahead. Together with our partners, we presented practical approaches for how airports can strategically refine their processes - efficiently, safely, and with an eye toward the future.

We are taking valuable insights back from London and look forward to taking the next steps toward smarter, more resilient airport infrastructures together with our customers.