Gulf Airport Study Tour
December 6-10, 2026
Dubai • Abu Dhabi • Doha
Presented by
The countdown to this event is over!
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About the Study Tour
The International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE) is proud to present the Gulf Airport Study Tour. Join aviation leaders and innovators for this in-depth study tour, an exclusive opportunity to explore the future of air mobility and airport innovation across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Planned for December 2026, this five-day tour will immerse participants in cutting-edge developments in advanced air mobility (AAM), smart airport infrastructure, and strategic global collaboration. The tours are scheduled for Sunday-Thursday (Friday/Saturday is the weekend in the region).
Participants will receive full coordination and planning, regional flights, ground transportation, and accommodations as part of the registration fee.
- Gain exclusive insights into advanced air mobility and emerging technologies.
- Meet global leaders including airport executives, AAM pioneers, regulators, and technology developers.
- Explore vertiports and smart infrastructure shaping the next generation of airports.
- Bring back actionable strategies to influence U.S. AAM initiatives.
- Visits to Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), and Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport Innovation Hub.
- Exclusive VIP receptions for high-level networking.
- Strategic roundtables and interactive sessions with regional and international experts.
Airport Study Tour Agenda
Sunday, December 6
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Arrival, Orientation & Gulf AAM Landscape – Dubai
All Day
Purpose: Establish a shared baseline and frame the tour around AAM and innovation.
All Day
- Participant arrivals in Dubai
- Hotel check-in
-
Orientation Briefing
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
• Overview of Gulf aviation strategy and innovation ecosystems
• The role of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha in global AAM development -
Introductory Session
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- Global AAM trends and implications for U.S. airports
-
Welcome Reception
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Networking with regional airport leaders, regulators, and technology stakeholders
Monday, December 7
-
Dubai – Smart Airports, Vertiports & Future Air Mobility
Purpose: Deep dive into large-scale smart airport systems and early AAM integration.
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Breakfast & Transfer to DXB
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
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Site Visit: Dubai International Airport (DXB)
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
• Passenger systems and digitalization
• Operational scale and efficiency -
Transfer & Working Lunch
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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Site Visit: Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
• Future expansion plans
• AAM readiness and airspace planning -
Technical Briefings
3:15 – 4:45 p.m.
• Smart airport infrastructure and data integration
• Planning for vertiports and multimodal connectivity -
Interactive Roundtable
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
• Airport leadership
• AAM technology developers and infrastructure planners -
Evening - Light city or innovation district visit
Evening
Tuesday, December 8
-
Abu Dhabi – Innovation, Regulation & AAM Ecosystems
Purpose: Examine how policy, innovation hubs, and public–private coordination accelerate AAM.
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Breakfast at the Hotel & Transfer Dubai → Abu Dhabi
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
-
Visit: Zayed International Airport – Innovation Hub
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Airport-led innovation programs
• Emerging aviation technologies -
Policy & Regulatory Sessions
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Regulatory frameworks supporting AAM deployment
• Airport–government–industry collaboration models -
Networking Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
-
Technical Discussions
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
• Vertiport development and certification pathways
• Engagement with regulators, innovation hub leadership, startups, and AAM pioneers -
VIP Networking Reception
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Regional and international experts
Wednesday, December 9
-
Doha – Flagship Infrastructure & Global Collaboration
Purpose: Highlight premium airport design, resilience, and international alignment.
Morning
Transfer Abu Dhabi → Doha -
Site Visit: Hamad International Airport
10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Smart infrastructure and passenger experience design
• Airport resilience and future-proofing
• Integration of emerging technologies -
Networking Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
-
Strategic Roundtable
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
• Comparing Gulf approaches to AAM and smart airport development
• Lessons applicable to U.S. airports of varying sizes -
Free time or informal networking
Evening
Thursday, December 10
-
Synthesis, U.S. Application & Departure – Doha
Purpose: Ensure takeaways translate into action.
-
Breakfast and hotel checkout
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
-
Closing Workshop
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
• Key lessons from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha
• What U.S. airports can adopt now vs. later
• Implications for U.S. AAM initiatives and policy engagement -
Facilitated Peer Discussion
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Action items
• Next steps and continued collaboration -
Certificate ceremony and program closeout
12:30- 1:30 p.m.
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Departure to the U.S
Afternoon
Registration Fees & Deadlines
You acknowledge that in registering for and attending this AAAE event, you agree to adhere to the cancellation policy noted below, AAAE's Duty of Care, and AAAE's Code of Conduct and Terms and Conditions.
2026 REGISTRATION FEES
If you are not seeing the correct pricing appear for your member type, please contact member.services@aaae.org to complete your registration for this event.
| On/Before 7/1/2026 |
After 7/1/2026 |
|
|---|---|---|
| IAAE Member* | $6,500 | $7,000 |
| IAAE Non-Member* | $7,000 | $7,500 |
*Payment must be made no later than 65 days in advance of the study tour start date. The final cost will be dependent upon the actual cost of regional air fare at the time of purchase. Registrants will receive notice of any additional amount due no later than one month prior to the study tour date.
AAAE accepts registration regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, sex, physical disability, and national or ethnic origin. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment and educational services. If you require any special assistance to participate or have special dietary requirements, email aaaemeetings@aaae.org.
Cancellation Policy:
Registrations, cancellations and refund requests must be submitted in writing. Air fare for the study tour will be booked 60 days prior to the study tour start date. Any additional air fare costs will be communicated to registrants at this time. After air fare is purchased, no cancellations can be accepted. Prior to air fare purchase, all cancellation requests for registrations are subject to a $200 cancellation processing fee; approved refunds will be processed after the study tour takes place. There will be no refunds of any kind after this date. Substitutions for the event will be accepted without penalties if made prior to air fare booking. The difference between member and non-member price will be charged if a non-member replaces a member. The individual substituting for the original registrant is responsible for all financial obligations (balance due; difference in fees due to membership type) associated with that substitution. For all inquiries regarding cancellations, refunds and substitutions, please contact Holly Ackerman at holly.ackerman@aaae.org. By submitting a completed registration form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the cancellation policy. Please note failure to receive a confirmation letter before an event will not be grounds for a refund or credit.
NOTE: AAAE reserves the right to postpone or cancel an event if the number of registrants is insufficient; due to acts of God; or any other reason beyond IAAE’s control. In this event, we will notify all registrants and credit the full registration fee towards another IAAE meeting, product or service. However, any costs incurred by the registrant, such as airline penalties, are the responsibility of the registrant. Confirmation letters will be emailed to attendees upon registration. However, if you have not received a confirmation email seven business days after registration, please contact Holly Ackerman at holly.ackerman@aaae.org. Please note failure to receive a confirmation letter before an event will not be grounds for a refund.
Media Access Policy:
Media is not permitted on the airport study tour.
Photo/Video Disclaimer:
By registering for and attending any IAAE event, you agree that your image may be used at any time, without further notification, for printed materials, web sites, social media and other marketing purposes.
Hotel & Travel
Travel
Participants are responsible for their airfare from the U.S. to Dubai. AAAE/IAAE will provide regional airfare and hotel for the study tour. Following registration, participants will receive additional information.
Ground Transportation
Check back for details.
Contact Information
Heba Gouda
+1.703.797.2545

