Attendance up 20% at SWIFT Europe 25
20-21 May 2025, London Heathrow
As the SWIFT (Summer & Winter Integrated Field Technologies) conference & expo approaches its 50th anniversary in 2028, its younger sibling, SWIFT Europe, celebrated its second edition with resounding success at the London Heathrow Marriott. This year’s event saw a remarkable 20% increase in delegates compared to the inaugural edition at the Renaissance, signaling a growing appetite for a dedicated airfield operations conference and expo in Europe.
SWIFT, created by airports for airports, continues to deliver on its mission to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration, as outlined at swifteurope.org. The 2025 programme was a masterclass in blending cutting-edge insights with practical solutions. The conference sessions were packed with thought-provoking discussions on runway safety, advanced ground handling technologies, and sustainable operations, led by industry leaders and innovators. The expo areas showcased state-of-the-art equipment and services, allowing delegates to explore solutions tailored to the unique challenges of airfield management.
Beyond the formal programme, SWIFT Europe excelled in creating networking opportunities. The ‘SWIFT Bite’ welcome night was a highlight, stealing the show at the newly refurbished Skygarden at the Sheraton Skyline as guests were captivated by a brilliant dance performance, setting the stage for a tropical-themed dinner that sparked lively conversation and connections.
The event’s success lies in its ability to balance professional development with a sense of community. SWIFT Europe ‘25 not only met but exceeded expectations, solidifying its place as a must-attend for airfield operations professionals. With its momentum building, the 2026 edition is already highly anticipated.
Chris Stirling, M.D. Enhancing Excellence, writes:
“There was something particularly grounding about being surrounded by the people who keep the airside world turning. Airfield ops, safety and compliance teams, winter ops planners, wildlife management specialists, and training leads were all in the same room, trading ideas, frustrations, and aspirations. SWIFT Europe might be billed as a conference for airport and ground operations, but what it really offers is insight into how the decisions made on the apron, in the tower, or at the operations centre ripple out to affect aircraft, crews and passengers alike.
Amongst the many engaging panel discussions and presentations I heard, was one on bird and wildlife hazard management. This is a topic pilots are inherently aware of, especially in light of the incidents on the Hudson and more recently in South Korea. We’re trained to keep a sharp eye out for birds, report flocks and bird strikes accurately, and react quickly to any encounter. But listening to the strategies employed at an airport level really deepened my appreciation of the teams working tirelessly to reduce these risks. I loved how City of Derry Airport (CODA) and Belfast City Airport (the latter of which I’ve flown into many times) employed an ornithologist to research local bird habits and come up with successful bird threat mitigation strategies. Stopping swans flying across the extended centreline at CODA turned out to be less about scaring and more about relocating food sources and habitats.
From my perspective, it also reinforced how critical human judgment is in this industry. Technology (like laser bird scarers) is an aid, but it’s the people; wildlife officers interpreting patterns, communicating with ATC, coordinating with apron teams who keep the system safe. It’s a perfect example of why we can’t take human factors for granted.”
