June 16, 2026 – The Smart Ramp & Baggage Innovation Summit built on the success of several pioneering Future Travel Experience (FTE)-led initiatives, including the FTE Accelerating Collaboration & Engagement (ACE) platform and the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG). The BIWG unites more than 130 airlines, airports, and supply-chain partners to deliver measurable baggage-handling innovation through proof-of-concept programs and collaboration. It also helped launch the BOOST program, a global coalition dedicated to accelerating baggage innovation, which was introduced during the FTE EMEA 2024 show in Dublin. In partnership with Royal Schiphol Group, Avinor, Heathrow Airport, Brussels Airport, and Incheon International Airport Corporation, BOOST aims to eliminate physical strain and improve working conditions for baggage workers through the rapid adoption of advanced technologies.
Meanwhile, Smart Ramp, launched in 2024 under the ACE platform in partnership with nlmtd, advances autonomous and efficient aircraft turnaround operations through collaboration and real-world testing. Leading partners including IAG, Miami International Airport, ANA, Royal Schiphol Group, KLM, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) are exploring technologies such as autonomous vehicles, Time Stamping & AI Turnaround, Remote Control Boarding Bridges, and Autonomous Connecting FOD Detection and Removal.
These initiatives came together at the Smart Ramp & Baggage Innovation Summit 2026, held June 9–11 in Dublin, Ireland, serving as both a showcase of progress and a launchpad for the next phase of global ramp and baggage transformation. The summit brought together airlines, airports, ground handlers, manufacturers, and technology providers to explore how automation, innovation, and data-driven strategies can improve safety, efficiency, and operational resilience across ramp and baggage operations.
For more information about the event, visit the Future Travel Experience website.
