An Analyst's Opinion of PTE 2026: "A Shift in Mindset - From Innovation to Implementation"

Passenger Terminal World Expo felt as busy and productive as ever this year – a packed schedule of meetings, catch-ups and plenty of candid conversations across the ecosystem. What stood out wasn’t a single breakthrough, but a shift in mindset. For a sector that has traditionally operated in siloes – with border control, passenger processing, baggage and security evolving in parallel – there is now a clearer push toward integration. Interoperability is no longer a “nice ambition”; it’s increasingly a baseline requirement.

That shift is starting to translate into how solutions are designed and deployed. We are seeing more effort to connect systems that were previously standalone; from eGates and kiosks to the software layers behind them, enabling data sharing, analytics and operational visibility. The focus is moving up a level: rather than optimising individual touchpoints, stakeholders are looking to extract insight across the passenger journey and drive efficiency from the top down. In that context, the re-emergence of Total Airport Operational Management is notable. Once heavily hyped and then quieter, it now feels like the industry has done the groundwork to define what it means in practice – and how to implement it to deliver value.

Biometrics and digital identity remain central, but their role is changing. What was once positioned as innovation is quickly becoming standard infrastructure. Biometric capabilities are increasingly being combined with digital travel credentials and embedded into processes such as self bag drop, creating more seamless experiences. Crucially, these technologies are no longer deployed in isolation; they are being orchestrated together. The same applies across the airport, where digital and mobile tools are becoming more prominent in baggage handling, security lanes and beyond.

Underlying this is a familiar set of drivers: improving passenger experience, boosting efficiency and strengthening competitive positioning. Self-service and automation remain key, but their real value comes when they are joined up. AI was the buzzword of the show – not new, but increasingly visible in areas such as analytics, decision-making, resource allocation and planning. The challenge will be moving beyond the label to demonstrate tangible, scalable outcomes.
Encouragingly, many concepts discussed over recent years now appear closer to deployment. The conversation is shifting from “what is possible?” to “how do we implement this at scale?”. That suggests more pilots and larger rollouts over the next 12–24 months. Overall, the industry feels to be entering a more pragmatic phase – less about isolated innovation, and more about making the pieces work together to deliver measurable impact.

For more markets insights from PTE 2026, have you explored our free PTE report? Click here to join us as we delve into company and industry news announced at the event, showcase new or interesting solutions that we witnessed, and offer a deeper dive into the market – including discussions surrounding the use and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Contactless Corridors, and Automation.

Over the coming months, Valour Consultancy will feature many of the products showcased at the show in our premium market intelligence reports. Due to publish over the next six months, we’ll cover a broad range of airports and borders-related topics including:

Please click the links above to access our report information brochures for a detailed scope, or to participate in the research process.

If you’d like a deeper discussion on any of the topics featured in this article, please also feel free to reach out to me personally – you can find my email address below.

John Devlin, Airports & Borders Director john.devlin@valourconsultancy.com

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“In a global market as dynamic as in-flight connectivity, Valour has established itself as a reliable source of market intelligence and insightful analysis. The team is responsive to requests and clearly engaged in improving an already impressive product.”

“The team around Valour Consultancy equips us with the value-added intelligence needed to make well-informed business decisions in a very dynamic market. The passion and knowledge of the team make it a real pleasure to work with them.”

“Astronics is using Valour Consultancy’s 2016 in-flight connectivity report extensively. We’ve found it highly useful in our long-range planning and it has aided in our market research.”

“The Valour Consultancy report on in-flight connectivity provides very detailed insights on the market and it constitutes a very useful tool for the marketing and strategy team at SITAONAIR. The Valour Consultancy team is also very friendly and we enjoy our working relationship with them.”

“Valour Consultancy has provided an incredibly thorough perspective on the in-flight connectivity space, offering insight into drivers of the current and future state of the quickly growing category.”

An Analyst’s Opinion of PTE 2026: “A Shift in Mindset – From Innovation to Implementation”

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“Valour Consultancy’s research and analysis pertaining to in-flight connectivity adoption is excellent. It helps us understand how the market is expected to grow in the future, and predict whether airlines will aim to launch IFC services on its fleet.”

“The new report on aircraft seating and in-seat power systems provides a very comprehensive market and industry landscape information – the first of its kind containing that level of detail.”

“The Future of Aircraft Seating and In-Seat Power report came at a pivotal time for us as we look to the future of our in-flight offering. It has helped shape our internal strategies and highlighted areas we need to dig into more deeply. Valour has become a trusted resource and partner.”

“The Future of Aircraft Seating and In-Seat Power report came at a pivotal time for us as we look to the future of our in-flight offering. It has helped shape our internal strategies and highlighted areas we need to dig into more deeply. Valour has become a trusted resource and partner.”

“Valour’s maritime connectivity report provides the most comprehensive, detailed understanding of the market, with clear independent insights into the market trends and inhibitors. We use this report as the bible for our business strategy and marketing on what is happening in the industry.”

“Valour Consultancy’s report on The Future of Body Worn Cameras and Systems is well written, detailed and an excellent insight into the key markets. The analysis of the global law enforcement market was extensive and provided us with valuable industry information of this evolving market.”

“In a global market as dynamic as in-flight connectivity, Valour has established itself as a reliable source of market intelligence and insightful analysis. The team is responsive to requests and clearly engaged in improving an already impressive product.”

“The team around Valour Consultancy equips us with the value-added intelligence needed to make well-informed business decisions in a very dynamic market. The passion and knowledge of the team make it a real pleasure to work with them.”

“Astronics is using Valour Consultancy’s 2016 in-flight connectivity report extensively. We’ve found it highly useful in our long-range planning and it has aided in our market research.”

“The Valour Consultancy report on in-flight connectivity provides very detailed insights on the market and it constitutes a very useful tool for the marketing and strategy team at SITAONAIR. The Valour Consultancy team is also very friendly and we enjoy our working relationship with them.”

“Valour Consultancy has provided an incredibly thorough perspective on the in-flight connectivity space, offering insight into drivers of the current and future state of the quickly growing category.”