IAAE News
April 17, 2026
IAAE, in partnership with ASI Institute and Addepto, successfully delivered the second edition of the IAAE/Illuminex AI Executive Certificate in Applied AI for Airports, bringing together airport leaders from around the world for an intensive, three-day virtual program focused on the strategic application of artificial intelligence across airport operations and business functions.
Sponsored by Illuminex AI, the program is designed to equip airport executives with a practical, high-level understanding of how AI can be embedded across planning, operations, and commercial activities to drive measurable value. The course emphasized translating AI concepts into actionable strategies, enhancing decision-making through predictive insights, and developing board-ready implementation roadmaps.
Delivered in a live, interactive online format, the certificate program combined executive-level instruction with hands-on learning, including sandbox exercises, scenario planning, and a final integration exercise in which participants developed AI implementation action plans for presentation to airport leadership.
The curriculum covered key areas such as AI fundamentals, airport strategy integration, data analytics and decision support systems, smart airport planning, and governance frameworks. Participants also explored real-world use cases and identified high-impact pilot opportunities tailored to their own airport environments.
Instruction was led by a team of global experts, including Christophe Bouchaud and Dr. Pierre Coutu of Aviation Strategies International, along with AI and data specialists from Addepto: Katarzyna Czupik, Marcin Marczyk, and Aleksander Seman.
Participants consistently highlighted the program’s practical and strategic focus. Oluwasola Awe, General Manager, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), noted that the course “moved beyond theory and clearly demonstrated how AI can be applied to real airport challenges,” while Majdi AlAmri, Risk Management Director, General Authority of Civil Aviation, emphasized that “the real differentiator will not be who adopts AI first, but who integrates it responsibly, strategically, and at scale.”
The program also fostered strong peer-to-peer engagement among a global cohort of airport professionals, enabling participants to exchange insights and learn from diverse perspectives on AI adoption across different operating environments.
Upon completion, participants received the Executive Certificate in Applied AI for Airports, reinforcing IAAE’s commitment to advancing leadership development and equipping airport professionals with the tools needed to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
To register for the next edition of the IAAE/Illuminex AI Executive Certificate in Applied AI for Airports course, visit www.aaae.org/ai-certificate. The course will take place October 21-23, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. US ET Daily.
