Airports Council International (ACI) World announced that iGA Istanbul Airport will host the 8th ACI World Airport Experience Summit from 31 August to 4 September 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. The event is recognized as the leading global platform dedicated to advancing airport customer and employee experience.
The decision was confirmed at the closing and handover ceremony of the 2025 Summit in Guangzhou, China. The 2026 edition will bring together senior executives, experts, and stakeholders from across the aviation industry to share strategies and innovations shaping the future of passenger and employee engagement.
iGA Istanbul Airport’s Selection
Opened in 2019, iGA Istanbul Airport has grown rapidly to become one of the world’s major aviation hubs. It is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. In 2024, the airport handled more than 80 million passengers and aims to reach 120 million within the next decade.
In 2025, the airport became the first in Europe to launch simultaneous triple runway operations, boosting its operational capacity. It was also named the world’s best-connected airport in ACI EUROPE’s 2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report and recently entered into a collaboration with Chicago O’Hare Airport to exchange expertise in operations and sustainability.
“iGA Istanbul Airport is an exceptional choice to host the 2026 ACI World Airport Experience Summit—where the next decade of passenger and employee experience will be shaped,” said Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World. “As a global hub with remarkable growth and a forward-looking approach to customer experience, iGA Istanbul Airport exemplifies excellence in both passenger and employee experience, digital transformation, and operational resilience.”
Global Aviation Community in Istanbul
The summit is expected to draw leaders from airports, service providers, and industry organizations worldwide. Previous editions have highlighted collaboration, innovation, and the sharing of best practices to raise service quality across the aviation sector.
“It’s our pleasure to welcome the 2026 ACI World Airport Experience Summit to Türkiye,” said Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport. “The opportunity to host this prestigious global event at iGA Istanbul Airport next year, is recognition of how far we’ve come in such a short space of time. This will be a great opportunity to celebrate our status as the world’s best-connected airport, as we share new ideas, showcase innovation, and celebrate global aviation.”
Bilgen added that Istanbul’s role as host underscores the city’s position as a hub for discussions on the future of travel and innovation. “We’re proud that Istanbul will not only be a part of shaping the next chapter in world-class travel and exceptional passenger experiences, but that it is also central to new ideas and high-profile discussions that will occur between aviation leaders from around the world.”
Highlights from the 2025 Summit
The 7th ACI World Airport Experience Summit in Guangzhou brought together more than 1,400 participants from around the globe. It featured 15 panels and 57 keynote speakers, with topics ranging from digital transformation to operational resilience.
The event also included the presentation of the ACI ASQ Awards and Customer Experience Accreditations, recognizing 181 airports for excellence in service quality. Speakers from major airports, Plaza Premium Group, Amadeus, Groupe ADP, and The Ritz-Carlton contributed to discussions on innovation and customer service.
By hosting the next edition, iGA Istanbul Airport will provide a platform for international collaboration aimed at shaping the future of airport experiences, reinforcing its status as one of the most significant hubs in global aviation.
