The FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub in 2025 – year in review
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a perfect time to relive some of the highlights from the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub from the past 12 months. In addition to regular virtual meetings, this year we’ve hosted more in-person meet-ups and activities than ever before. Here are some of the best bits:
The first FTE Communities Live Days event took place on 10-12 February 2025, hosted by Orlando International Airport (MCO). More than 200 members of our FTE Communities – including the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – engaged in inspiring sessions, collaborative discussions, valuable networking, and exclusive airport tours. Among the many highlights, Space Florida delivered an inspirational opening keynote; high-level speakers participated from MCO, Spirit Airlines and more; Oceaneering hosted an open house tour of its pioneering autonomous vehicles and mobile robotics, and MCO hosted an unforgettable networking evening.
Following the success of the event hosted by Orlando International Airport in February, members of the FTE Hub gathered again in Madrid in April for an action-packed Communities meeting hosted by Iberia at its Madrid HQ. As well as hearing from the likes of IAG, Iberia and Aena on topics including AI and autonomous operations, our Corporate Partners had a unique opportunity to tour Iberia’s La Muñoza MRO centre at Madrid-Barajas Airport, providing rare behind-the-scenes access to the innovative facility.
In May, Pittsburgh International Airport hosted an FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub meeting, which explored the future of robotics, automation and IoT in airport environments. Deepak Nayyar, EVP & CIO at PIT, shared how the new terminal at PIT is being built as a smart, tech-enabled benchmark. As part of the World Innovation Summit event, attendees also had a rare opportunity to join behind-the-scenes tours ahead of the official opening of the new terminal later in the year.
During the members-only meeting, startup pitches from Airtrek Robotics and Carnegie Mellon University showcased advances in ground handling and AI-driven mobility, while members also received updates on the Smart Ramp initiative and heard from The Boring Company, who introduced Loop as a potential solution for airport landside congestion. Members then had an opportunity to visit The Boring Company in Las Vegas later in the year (more on this below).
Microsoft hosted the June meeting, which took place in Dublin the day before the APEX FTE EMEA and Ancillary & Retailing events got underway. After Microsoft shared compelling insights into driving artificial intelligence (AI) transformation during an opening keynote address, members heard from the likes of TNW Programs, United Airlines, Springshot and Causal Labs, while a variety of high-potential startup companies pitched their latest products and services to our Corporate Partners.
Ahead of FTE Global, our Corporate Partners had another unique experience in Las Vegas, with exclusive tours of both The Boring Company and AREA15. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet for a networking dinner kindly sponsored by FTE Hub Corporate Partners Assaia and Springshot.
During an exclusive tour of The Boring Company, attendees explored the cutting-edge underground transit system designed to streamline short-distance urban travel. This guided experience offered a first-hand look at the operational Loop system, where autonomous Tesla vehicles transport passengers through high-efficiency tunnels beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees gained insight into the design, construction, and scalability of this system, and explored how similar infrastructure could complement airport access, intermodal connectivity, and future mobility solutions.
Then, at AREA15 our Corporate Partners explored how immersive environments, interactive installations, and experiential storytelling are shaping the future of leisure and entertainment – key elements in enhancing the passenger experience. They received an overview of AREA15, the technology and concept, plus a tour of the campus, and an opportunity to enjoy some of the AREA15 experiences.
In November, our members came together once more ahead of APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025 in Singapore, where Meta hosted a meeting at their Singapore HQ. Themed ‘Immersive Technologies’, the meeting featured a packed agenda, including a compelling keynote presentation by Bastian Schütz, Head of XR in Travel, Meta, on ‘Elevating Aviation with Extended Reality’. Attendees also heard how the likes of All Nippon Airways and Vanderlande are using immersive technologies today to enhance operations, while interactive roundtables enabled everyone to continue the conversation in small, focussed groups. Throughout the day, Meta also hosted live technology demos, enabling attendees to experience the impressive products first-hand.
Looking ahead to 2026, we will continue to provide inspiration to our Corporate Partners through a combination of virtual and in-person meetings and activities. In-person meetings and innovation tours are already confirmed to take place in London (hosted by Heathrow Airport), Dublin, Dallas (hosted by Southwest Airlines) and Singapore, with more to be announced soon.