GAF 2025 in Riyadh to Feature Over Fifty New Exhibitors Shaping the Future of Airports, Get All the Details Here

Published on October 30, 2025

The Global Airports Forum (GAF) will be held on December 16-17, 2025, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC) and will be the 4th edition of this prestigious conference. GAF 2025 will be the defining conference of the Global Airports Forum due to the addition of 50 new exhibitors and the attendance of new exhibitors like Saudia and Amadeus. The conference will focus on the new innovations that will reshape the passengers experience.

GAF 2025 is organized by Niche Ideas and supported by Matarat Holding (an arm of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, GACA). Niche Ideas is proud to state that this will be the 1st International Airport B2B Platform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Niche Ideas is expecting 250 exhibitors from 100 nationalities and over 10,000 attendees in the 2 days of the conference.

A Hub for Global Innovation and Networking in Aviation

The GAF 2025 promises to be a bustling hub for airport industry professionals, featuring not just exhibitors but also over 1,000 buyers from the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Middle East region. A record number of over 5,000 pre-scheduled meetings will take place during the event, underscoring the forum’s role as a key platform for networking and innovation in aviation. Alongside the exhibition, over 100 international speakers will participate in two co-located events: the Global Aviation Issues Conference (GAIC) and the Women in Aviation (WIA) General Assembly.

The forum’s comprehensive agenda includes exciting new features such as the Future Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Display, the Airport Innovation Hub, the Airport Innovation Trail, and the Startups Hub. These additions reflect the event’s focus on future-proofing the aviation sector by showcasing next-generation technologies and ideas that address the rapidly evolving needs of airports and travelers alike.

Revolutionizing the Passenger Journey with Cutting-Edge Technology

One of the most anticipated aspects of GAF 2025 is the debut of the Airport Innovation Trail and the Airport Innovation Hub. These new features will allow visitors to engage with groundbreaking technologies and solutions that are reshaping the passenger experience, airport operations, and overall air travel efficiency.

The Airport Innovation Trail will offer attendees a guided tour through various exhibitors’ booths, with a focus on innovation-driven solutions that enhance passenger services, airport efficiency, sustainability, safety, and security. Companies participating in the trail will showcase technologies that push the envelope in airport modernization, offering firsthand demonstrations of tools that could shape the future of air travel.

Meanwhile, the Airport Innovation Hub will present five dedicated zones that highlight advancements in passenger-centric technologies. These zones will focus on critical areas such as operational efficiency, passenger experience, sustainability, and security. With innovations ranging from biometric screening to smart baggage handling systems, these zones will offer an inside look at how technology is creating more seamless, secure, and sustainable travel experiences.

Saudi Arabia’s Role in Shaping Global Aviation Innovation

The Global Airports Forum is a crucial event for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as it continues to position itself as a leader in aviation development. As Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector grows rapidly, particularly with the government’s ambitious plans to modernize its airport infrastructure, events like GAF are instrumental in showcasing the Kingdom’s role in global air travel innovation.

Daksha Patel, Event Director at Niche Ideas, stated that this edition of GAF reflects the growing commitment of global aviation players to support Saudi Arabia’s vision of transforming global air travel. With a growing focus on innovative solutions for airport operations, passenger services, and sustainability, the Kingdom is setting new benchmarks for the aviation industry in the region.

The forum provides a unique opportunity for industry professionals to explore the latest technologies that could be implemented in Saudi airports to accommodate the country’s burgeoning tourism sector, a major area of focus under the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. By integrating modern technologies that enhance both the operational aspects and the passenger experience, GAF 2025 will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of airport infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Saudia and Amadeus Lead the Charge in Airport Innovation

Among the prominent exhibitors at GAF 2025 are Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier, and Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology. Both companies are at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of what air travel can offer, ensuring that passengers have access to the most advanced and seamless travel experiences available.

Saudia, for example, has long been a pioneer in integrating innovative technologies into its operations. By participating in GAF 2025, Saudia aims to strengthen its role as a leader in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector while further enhancing the travel experience for its customers. The airline’s presence at the forum highlights the growing integration of air travel and technology, from booking systems to in-flight amenities, to improve overall passenger satisfaction.

Transforming Airport Operations for a New Era in Travel

The significance of GAF 2025 also extends to the broader role of airport operations. In a rapidly changing industry, technologies like biometric screening, self-service kiosks, and touchless check-in are transforming the way airports handle passenger flow and operational efficiency. As passengers demand faster, smoother, and more secure experiences, airports are adopting digital solutions to manage increasing traffic, reduce wait times, and improve the overall experience.

Airport industry leaders at GAF 2025 will discuss how these innovations are helping airports cope with the rising demands of air travel. From streamlining airport operations to enhancing passenger services, the innovations on display are designed to make airports not just more efficient but also more sustainable and customer-focused.

Fostering Collaboration Across the Aviation Sector

In addition to cutting-edge technology, GAF 2025 will offer a platform for meaningful discussions between industry experts. Collaborations between stakeholders—airlines, airport operators, technology providers, and government entities—are critical to achieving a more efficient, secure, and sustainable air travel ecosystem. Many participants at GAF 2025 will be working together to address the challenges posed by expanding airport infrastructure and growing passenger numbers in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region.

Impact on Travel and Tourism: Enhancing the Visitor Experience in Saudi Arabia

As Saudi Arabia continues to focus on increasing tourism in line with Vision 2030, innovations showcased at GAF 2025 will directly impact the travel and tourism experience. From the smoother, more efficient processing of passengers to the integration of personalized travel services, the forum will provide solutions that align with the Kingdom’s efforts to enhance its global tourism appeal.

With innovations that prioritize passenger comfort and efficiency, GAF 2025 is poised to help Saudi Arabia’s airports better cater to international travelers. These technological advancements not only improve the flow of passengers but also enhance the overall travel experience—making Saudi Arabia an even more attractive destination for both business and leisure travelers.

Looking Ahead: Airport Innovation for a Brighter Future

In anticipation of GAF 2025, the attention paid to airport innovations promises to positively impact the aviation sector within Saudi Arabia as well as worldwide. Given the integration of state-of-the-art technologies, analytical insights, and strategic collaborations, the forum will be instrumental in determining the course of the aviation sector. Innovations exhibited at GAF 2025 will be pivotal in ensuring that the future, evolving generation of airports will be innovative, safe, and, most importantly, focused on the needs of the passengers. These innovations will help airports of the future become the most environmentally friendly, flexible, and safe airports in aviation history.

To conclude, GAF 2025, more than anything else, is looking to become most important and most accessed portal for cutting edge advancements in the aviation sector. The innovations that will be presented in this forum will quite literally impact the global travel experience, and for the better. The impact this will have on Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism ecosystem is simply undeniable.