Korean Air to Participate in the '2026 World Smart City Expo'

Proposing a 'Smart City' Vision Through the Realization of a Future Aviation Ecosystem

Korean Air will participate in the ‘2026 World Smart City Expo (WSCE)’, held at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan, for three days from September 9 to 11.

Hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Busan Metropolitan City, the World Smart City Expo marks its 10th anniversary this year and is the largest smart city exhibition in Asia. Various business events will be held, including exhibitions and conferences that provide the latest technologies and insights related to AI solutions, transportation, mobility, and infrastructure.

'2026 World Smart City Expo (WSCE)' Korean Air Booth Panorama. Korean Air

At this exhibition, Korean Air will showcase the future aviation industry ecosystem that merges artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced manufacturing processes. By implementing next-generation aviation infrastructure centered on advanced automated manufacturing, AI-powered aviation MRO, and integrated Urban Air Mobility (UAM) control, the company plans to present its vision for the smart city of the future.

In the ‘Future Aviation AX (AI Transformation) Zone’ of the Korean Air booth, the focus is on manufacturing innovation as the foundation of the smart city industry. A highly sophisticated, multi-purpose process line, integrated with AI to mass-produce various aircraft components and fuselages, is presented through video. This demonstrates a blueprint for smart factories and the vision of large-scale, next-generation aviation production innovations based in Busan. Korean Air will also exhibit its ongoing developments in automated manufacturing technology for commercial aircraft parts as well as stealth unmanned wingman drones—the core assets of future aerospace power—proving its capability to directly produce cutting-edge aircraft.

In the ‘AI Aviation MRO Zone’, the company introduces examples of applying intelligent maintenance technologies to commercial aircraft. This includes an automated system developed by Korean Air in which inspection drones and ground-based inspection rovers conduct precise scans of aircraft exteriors, detect defects, and report findings in real time. This model is expected to draw attention as a prime example of how the core maintenance systems of large-scale mobility in smart cities can be automated and made intelligent.

The ‘ACROSS Zone’ features core technologies for the three-dimensional transportation networks that will connect future smart cities with the skies. ACROSS is an integrated Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operational solution developed by Korean Air. The company has built a smart control system using AI, enabling numerous UAM vehicles flying over urban skies to operate safely and efficiently.

A representative of Korean Air stated, "The true completion of a smart city is possible only when advanced aviation manufacturing technology, control, and maintenance infrastructure are all seamlessly connected—extending beyond the ground. Through our vision for the future aviation cluster, we will lead automated production in the global aerospace industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.