International Airport Summit 2024

Speakers

#IARSummit
The Steigenberger Airport Hotel Amsterdam

13th — 14th November 2024

Sarah Marquez

Sarah Marquez

Senior Vice President of Operations

Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport logo

Sarah Marquez serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations bringing over a decade of experience leading multifaceted teams as an Airport Operator. As an Airport Operations professional she has been recognized for her effective leadership and success while driving performance and collaborating with stakeholders. Sarah oversees Terminal Operations, Airside Operations, Ramp Tower, Emergency Operations Center, Communication Center, Airport Security, and Airport Operations Services which includes DEN’s conveyances, automated people mover (APM), and Baggage Handling System (BHS). Her current, most notable, initiative is preparing DEN to serve 100 million passengers annually in the next 8-10 years. In 2023, DEN served 78 million passengers.

Prior to joining DEN, Sarah led Operations and Security Divisions at Key West International & Marathon Airports in the Florida Keys, where she shaped their Operations & Security departments, whilst growing their air service to serve one million passengers annually. Sarah had the opportunity to deliver several large-scale construction projects to include airfield and terminal expansions, including an expanded FIS. Sarah began her career in Airport Operations at Burlington International Airport in Burlington, VT and worked for a short time as an FAA Air Traffic Controller.

She has a Bachelor of Aviation Science from Daniel Webster College. Additionally, she holds certifications to include Airports Council International’s International Airport Professional Degree (IAP), Certified Member with AAAE, ACE Ops, ACE Security, Alternate Security Coordinator (ASC), and Advanced Airport Safety and Operations Specialist (ASOS). She previously served as a member of Florida Airports Council on the Airport Security and Airport Operations Committees. Lastly, Sarah is a pilot, which is where her love for aviation truly began.

Sponsored by
Fireside Chat

9.40 – 10.00 am

Double the size of the industry by 2041?

How!?

Did you know that the world is expected to reach a total population of 9.8 billion by 2050? According to a United Nations report, 83 million people are being added to the world’s population every year and the world is expected to grow to 6 billion in 2030; 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100. Current projections put global passenger numbers at 19 billion by 2041 – this is double what it is today.

However, the rise in passengers is outpacing the capacity of airports. Airports globally have had to expand terminals because they’re at capacity, however, not all airports are that lucky, and this is why they must work on efficiency and invest in new technologies and digitalisation.

Our speakers in this panel session will discuss how to safely and affordably expand the industry to accommodate growth of the world’s population and airport capacity. Join this session to discuss:

  • Strategies airport leaders are taking to keep up with the growth of passengers
  • Building with bytes, not bricks, in order to sweat existing assets
  • The future plans of leading airports with big growth trajectories.
Borry Vrieling with eezeetags logo
Borry Vrieling

Founder, eezeetags b.v.

Sarah Marquez with Denver International Airport logo
Sarah Marquez

Senior Vice President of Operations, Denver International Airport

Panel Discussion

4.50 – 5.10 pm

Managing lack of human capital

The aviation industry faces a growing challenge of managing the shortage of human capital in airports, exacerbated by factors such as demographic shifts, skilled labour shortages, and evolving workforce preferences. The panel session titled ‘Managing Lack of Human Capital in Airports’ examines how airports can address this pressing issue by embracing automation and robotics to augment workforce capabilities, improve operational efficiency and enhance passenger experiences. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion as industry experts explore innovative solutions and best practices for navigating the complexities of workforce management in the digital age. In this panel session, discuss:

  • What are the key workforce challenges facing airports today, and how are demographic shifts, skill shortages, and changing labour dynamics impacting airport operations? How can airports assess their workforce needs and identify areas where technology such as automation and robotics can fill the gaps?
  • What are the areas within airport operations that are ripe for automation, such as baggage handling, passenger screening, and maintenance tasks?
  • How can airports collaborate with technology vendors, startups, and research institutions to pilot and implement automation and robotics solutions tailored to their specific operational needs?
  • How can airports invest in upskilling and reskilling initiatives to prepare their workforce for the integration of automation and robotics technologies?
Sarah Marquez with Denver International Airport logo
Sarah Marquez

Senior Vice President Airport Operations, Denver International Airport

Speakers

Meet the Experts