The aviation world is looking at Turkey right now. IGA Istanbul Airport is getting ready to welcome hundreds of special guests. These guests come from all over the planet. Between August 31 and September 4, 2026, this big travel hub will host a famous event. It is the Airport Experience Summit 2026. Airports Council International World (ACI World) organizes this event. It is the biggest global organization for airport groups. Leaders, top managers, and smart decision-makers from 80 different countries will travel to Istanbul. They will talk about the future of travel.
New Ideas for the Future of Air Travel
People love to travel. They always want airports to be fast, clean, and friendly. They want their trips to be stress-free. But running a massive airport is not an easy job. Every day, thousands of planes land and take off. Hundreds of thousands of tired passengers walk through the terminal doors. They carry heavy bags. They want to find their gates quickly. They want to enjoy a tasty meal. They want to relax in comfortable rooms. They want to catch their next flights without any trouble.
That is why the Airport Experience Summit is so important. Aviation experts will meet for five full days. They will sit together in big rooms. They will talk about smart new ideas. They will discuss digital tools and computer systems. They will also talk about friendly human service. These things can make airport visits much better. Airport managers will share their best ideas and smart secrets. When they do this, every traveler around the world wins. Everyone gets to enjoy a smoother and happier journey.
The big opening ceremony will start soon. Turkey's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, will give an important speech. After that, top global aviation leaders will speak to the crowd. Justin Erbacci will speak. He is the General Director of ACI World. Jost Lammers will speak. He is the President of the ACI World Board. Selahattin Bilgen will also speak. He is the CEO of İGA Istanbul Airport.
800+ Top Professionals
More than 800 expert leaders from 80 countries will gather in Istanbul. They will shape the future of flight services.
Global Recognition
The summit highlights Istanbul Airport's strong position. It shows wonderful service quality on the world stage.
Important Summit Facts and Event Details
| Host Organization | IGA Istanbul Airport (Global travel hub connecting east and west) |
|---|---|
| Main Partner | Airports Council International World (ACI World) |
| Event Dates | August 31 – September 4, 2026 |
| Participant Scale | Over 800 senior aviation professionals from 80 countries |
| Key Opening Speakers | Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Justin Erbacci, Jost Lammers, and Selahattin Bilgen |
| Main Focus Areas | Passenger experience, digital transformation, smooth operations, and non-aeronautical services |
What the Leaders at IGA Are Saying
Selahattin Bilgen is the CEO of IGA Istanbul Airport. He shared his great happiness about hosting this big meeting. He explained a simple rule. Customer happiness is always the number one goal for their team. They run one of the busiest connection points in the world. So, they must make sure of one thing. Every single passenger must feel safe, happy, and relaxed.
“We are very happy to host the Airport Experience Summit in partnership with ACI World. As a global leader in connection power, we put the passenger experience at the center of our daily operations. This summit gives us a wonderful chance to share our journey and work together with our partners to shape the future of airport experiences.” - Selahattin Bilgen, IGA CEO
Many other expert leaders from IGA will speak at the summit. They will lead special panels and talks. Dr. Reha Çetin is the CIO and IST Systems General Manager. He will talk about global passenger survey results. He will explain how to build a smooth airport experience. Selda Seçkinler is the Human Resources Assistant General Manager. She will explain how happy workers help create better airport performance. Fırat Ocak is the Aviation Development Director. He will talk about making travel easy and open for everyone. Finally, Server Aydın will speak. He is the Digital Services and Commerce Assistant General Manager. He will show how great customer service helps grow business revenues.
How This Event Helps Turkey and Global Tourism
Thousands of global business people are coming to Istanbul. Company owners and technology suppliers are coming too. This brings wonderful benefits to the country. Visitors get to see the beauty of the city. They taste delicious local food. They experience Turkish hospitality firsthand. This creates strong international business bridges. It also helps boost tourism in a very powerful way.
Furthermore, this event shows an important truth about Istanbul. It is not just a place where planes land to refuel. It is a true center of smart thinking. It is a home for modern technology and great customer care. Travelers pass through Istanbul Airport every day. They see clean hallways and fast baggage systems. They see smiling staff members and quiet resting spaces. All these little details matter. They make a long journey feel much shorter and easier.
What Travelers Can Expect in the Near Future
The Airport Experience Summit 2026 takes place this week. At the same time, smart managers at IGA are planning the next steps for the airport. They want to use new computer systems. They plan to add fast self-service check-in kiosks. They want to use smart artificial intelligence. These tools will make security lines even shorter. New airplanes will soon fly longer routes across the oceans. More and more people will choose Istanbul as their main stopping point. It is a great bridge between Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
- Faster Terminal Processing: New digital screens and smart guidance systems are ready. They will help passengers find their departure gates in minutes.
- Better Rest and Dining Areas: The airport has expanded lounge spaces and quiet zones. They give tired travelers a peaceful place to sleep or read.
- Eco-Friendly Operations: Green energy initiatives help protect the environment. They also keep the massive terminal building running smoothly.
- Friendly Global Support: Multi-language staff are always on duty. They stand ready to assist travelers with any questions or special needs.
The future of global aviation looks very bright, simple, and exciting. World-class events like the Airport Experience Summit bring the best minds together. Because of this, passengers can look forward to happier, faster, and more comfortable travels in the years to come.
