WASHINGTON — Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, today released a new industry resource identifying the trends expected to have the greatest impact on airports over the next three to five years. The 2026 AirportNEXT Futures Study: A Strategic Roadmap for the Next Generation of Airports also provides practical strategies airport leaders can use to prepare for them. The report was prepared in partnership with AirportNEXT Solutions Inc.
“Airports are planning and investing for a future that is changing rapidly,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “The AirportNEXT Futures Study provides airport leaders with an industry-informed view of what’s coming coupled with practical ideas for what they can do about it. By bringing together perspectives from hundreds of airport executives and examples from airports across North America, this study provides a roadmap leaders can use as they make decisions today that will shape their airports for years to come.”
Based on extensive industry research and input from 320 airport executives across the United States and Canada, the study evaluates 55 emerging trends affecting airport infrastructure, operations, business models, passengers, employees, communities, and other key stakeholders.
“This study was designed to move from foresight to action,” said AirportNEXT Solutions, Inc. Chairman Paul Ouimet. “Understanding the forces reshaping aviation is important, but airport leaders also need practical ways to respond. This Futures Study combines industry intelligence, airport leadership perspectives, and real-world examples to help airports turn those trends into strategies.”
Cybersecurity threats to operational technology systems emerged as the highest-ranked trend by a significant margin and ranked first across all respondents. Economic pressures also dominated the findings, with a slowing economy, government funding constraints, and rising interest rates comprising three of the five highest-ranked trends. Skilled labor shortages rounded out the top five.
The research also highlights significant opportunities associated with new technology, including 5G and private wireless networks, smart energy systems, cloud-based platforms, biometrics, artificial intelligence, advanced air traffic management, and personalized digital passenger services.
Unlike traditional trend reports, the AirportNEXT Futures Study goes beyond identifying emerging issues. Following the initial research, airport CEOs participating in the 2026 ACI-NA CEO Forum helped develop potential responses to the study’s highest-ranked trends. Those strategies were further researched and refined before being reviewed and validated by 32 airports participating in the AirportNEXT program.
The final report includes 120 potential strategies and 72 real-world case studies from 61 North American airports. Recommendations are organized into 12 areas, including terminal facilities, transportation access, commercial services, security, border, technology, airlines, government relations, workforce and culture, community support, sustainability, and economic development and tourism.
The study identifies four broad themes emerging from the highest-ranked trends: tough business conditions and economic uncertainty; advanced technology innovation and adoption; acceleration in risk management; and shifting community expectations.
The Futures Study can be used as a stand-alone resource to support airport strategic and master planning and can also complement AirportNEXT stakeholder assessments by helping airports address areas identified as priorities by their stakeholders.
The 2026 AirportNEXT Futures Study is available here.
###