World Aviation Festival (WAF) returns to Lisbon, Portugal for 2026, bringing the aviation community together at a critical inflection point for the industry.
Geopolitical conflict and high fuel prices have upended forecasts and frustrated growth. But there’s never been a better time for airports, airlines, and partners to come together and build better strategies that can withstand a more disruptive operating environment.
From 13th-15th October, our speakers, panellists, and startups will descend on the FIL exhibition centre once again to have the conversations that don’t happen anywhere else.
Top themes under discussion this year include:
- Mitigating the impact of high fuel prices
- The AI implementations that are actually delivering
- Balancing digital investment with the in-person experience
- Progress on modern retail and payments technologies
- Sustainable development and growth
What do I need to know before I arrive?
Badges can be collected ahead of time on Monday 13th October, 14.00-17.00 at the Grand Hall FIL, or as the event opens on each day. All attendees will need to bring a photo ID to collect their badge.
Bag checks will also be taking place. Arrive early to skip the queues.
What’s new for 2026?
Alongside WAF’s established blend of panel sessions, roundtables, and networking, this year we’re adding several new elements into the mix to keep things fresh:
- An Airport/Airline Collaboration track to discuss areas of co-operation within the industry and where things could be improved.
- The Ancillary Arena, a new competition where expert judges will review pitches for the next big untapped revenue streams.
- A Female Founders panel, featuring four women who’ve built their own aviation businesses from scratch.
Who’s speaking at the event?
From keynote addresses to roundtables, WAF brings together a diverse range of speakers from leading airlines and airports, including:
- Luís Rodrigues, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO, TAP Air Portugal
- Roberto Alvo, CEO, Latam Airlines Group
- Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports
- Adrian Neuhauser, Chief Executive Officer, Abra Group
- Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO, Star Alliance
- Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
- Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer, Adani Airports
- Amy Burr, CEO, SKY VC
Explore the full list of speakers here.
If you miss a speaker you were really excited to hear, the World Aviation Festival blog will be on-the-ground at the event, conducting exclusive video conversations with our top attendees. Subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an interview.
WAF’s sixteen tracks are packed with presentations and panels discussing the hottest topics in aviation right now. These include innovations in ancillary retail, the evolving role of low-cost aviation, and digital transformation across marketing, sales, and customer service.
Explore the agenda to see the full list of sessions.
Which exhibitors can I connect with?
Use our expo space to explore the latest innovations in payments, IROPS, cabin management, and much more. Be sure to explore the stands to pick up a freebie or two, and maybe even win a prize in an exclusive giveaway!
Exhibitors include:
- PROS
- CarTrawler
- Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS)
- Accelya
- Capgemini
- And many more!
Meanwhile, at our Startup Village, you can connect with 80+ disruptive entrepreneurs on the rise. Many startups featured at WAF grow to become major exhibitors, making this an essential stop for any attendee looking to find the next big innovators in the industry.
What about networking opportunities?
Alongside our meeting matchmaking programme, there are other more informal ways to meet with people across the event, whether that’s catching up with old friends or making a new connection:
- 5K fun run on the morning of Tuesday 14th October. Before the conference doors even open, start your day right and socialise with other attendees.
- Tuesday 13th October from 17.30: Drinks and nibbles near the keynote stage in Pavilion 2, open to all.
- Early morning yoga on Wednesday 14th October. Stretch out and get zen, mingling with other conference-goers ahead of a busy day.
- Wednesday 14th October from 18:05: VIP drinks hosted by CarTrawler in FIL Square. RSVP only – check your email for your chance to register.
Exhibitors across the expo floor will also be hosting informal drinks receptions at the end of each day.
We can’t wait to see you at WAF!
World Aviation Festival 2026 comes at an important time for the aviation industry to come together and learn from each other. We can’t wait to welcome you all. If you’re sharing anything about from Lisbon on social media, don’t forget to add #AviationFest!
