ADB SAFEGATE has announced its partnership with Airports Council International (ACI) World for the 2026 ACI World Airport Innovation Awards, further strengthening our commitment to advancing innovation across the global airport community.
Applications for this year’s awards are now officially open, inviting airports worldwide to showcase transformative solutions that are shaping the future of aviation.
The ACI World Airport Innovation Awards, now in their sixth year and presented under a renewed title, recognise and celebrate outstanding projects and leadership initiatives that enhance passenger experience, improve operational efficiency, and optimise airport processes for passengers, employees, and stakeholders.
This partnership highlights ADB SAFEGATE’s dedication to supporting over 3,000 airports globally with integrated airside solutions designed to enable safer, more efficient, and more sustainable operations.
Ilya Burkin, Global Marketing Director, ADB SAFEGATE, said: “Innovation is at the core of what we do at ADB SAFEGATE.
Partnering with ACI World to support the Airport Innovation Awards aligns perfectly with our mission to drive progress and deliver tangible value across the aviation ecosystem. We are excited to help airports amplify their boldest ideas on a global stage.”
Awards Categories
The 2026 ACI World Airport Innovation Awards invite entries from all ACI airport members, regardless of size, across four categories:
- Best Innovation in Airport Passenger-Related Processes
- Best Innovation in Airport Operations and Installations Management
- Best Airport Innovation Leader (Individual)
- Best Innovation: Airport on the Rise (for airports handling 5 million passengers or less annually)
Eligible innovations must have been implemented between January 2025 and May 2026. Each airport member may submit one entry per category, and there are no fees to participate.
Key Dates and Ceremony
Submissions are open until 16 June 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. An international Evaluation Committee of independent experts will review all entries, focusing on impact, scalability, and the contribution to industry advancement.
Winners and the top five finalists in each category will be announced during the Awards Ceremony at ACI Airports Innovate, held from 23 to 25 November 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.
Category winners will be exclusively invited to present their innovations in a dedicated session at the conference – a must-attend event for anyone passionate about aviation innovation.
