The Airport Retail and Commercial Forum will be held in Cairns Convention Centre for the first time in 2026, as the event continues to grow its influence across the region’s aviation sector.
The three-day forum, running from 21–23 July, is delivered in partnership between Australian Airports Association and The Mercurius Group, with Cairns Airport named as host airport.
Now in its fifth year, the forum has quickly positioned itself as a key industry event focused on the commercial side of airports, bringing together stakeholders from across Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.
The program will again incorporate the Ground Transport Forum and focus on how airports can future-proof non-aeronautical revenue streams, spanning retail, food and beverage, advertising, parking and transport.
The Australian airports sector contributes at least $105 billion annually to the national economy, with the forum attracting a broad mix of operators, including duty-free, specialty retail and ground transport providers.
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Following record attendance at the 2025 event in Sydney, organisers expect the Cairns edition to build on that momentum.
Chief executive of the Australian Airports Association Simon Westaway said the forum continues to play a critical role for the sector.
“The Airport Retail and Commercial Forum has become the pre-eminent gathering of airport and commercial leaders across Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region,” he said.
“At a time when the aviation sector is navigating a more complex operating environment, this forum provides an important opportunity to share insights, strengthen partnerships and support future growth.”
Managing director of The Mercurius Group Ivo Favotto said the event provides a rare opportunity for concessionaires to connect directly with airport decision-makers.
“For retailers, ground transport operators and other airport concessionaires, the forum provides a unique and highly efficient opportunity to connect with airport decision-makers from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker said hosting the event was a strong endorsement of the airport’s role in the national network.
“Hosting the 2026 Airport Retail and Commercial Forum in Cairns is a strong endorsement of our role in Australia’s aviation network,” he said.
The 2026 forum will also see the return of the Regional Airports Benchmarking Study and masterclass, covering airports handling up to two million annual passengers and analysing key commercial revenue streams.
