Airports Council International’s annual global trade show is returning in a new format after a two-year hiatus.

Branded as Airports Innovate, the two-day conference is set to reflect on the rapid advancements made by the industry in areas such as technology, business and strategy.

The event – which is due to be held in Muscat, Oman on December 7 and 8 – will be jointly organised by ACI Asia-Pacific, ACI EUROPE and ACI World.

ACI says the conference will be “an opportunity for the global aviation community to meet, learn, inspire and collaborate".

Themed “Build Back Bolder”, Airports Innovate will have three key pillars. These are Small and Emerging Airports, World Business Partners (WBP) Arena, and Theme Park.

Commenting on the event, Stefano Baronci, director general of ACI Asia-Pacific, said: “As boarders and economies are reopening, we are thrilled to launch a brand-new event Airports Innovate. While the future offers many challenges, the event offers opportunities to reinvent and reimagine how we operate. Airports Innovate will help us to address those challenges and seize opportunities. We aim to bring together the brightest minds in the industry from around the world for this significant gathering of aviation industry.”

The event will be hosted by Oman Airports which manages and operates civil airports in the Sultanate of Oman.

Sheikh Aimen Sultan Al-Hosni, CEO of the airport operator, added: “Oman Airports is delighted to host for the first time the ACI Innovate in Muscat. We are eager to welcome experts of the aviation community, to reconnect and exchange expertise and to share new trends and opportunities while experiencing our world-class Omani hospitality. The aviation industry has once again proven its resilience, the ACI Innovate will be showcasing the critical role played by air travel to enable social and economic development. We look forward to an unforgettable event.”

Registration for the event is now open and ACI expects industry leaders to sign up before September 23 to take advantage of a 15% discount.