The World Aviation Festival is returning to Lisbon this year, but a host of additions to the agenda mean this year’s event will be fresher than ever.

Read on to find about some of the features brand-new for 2026!

Airport-Airline Collaboration track

Alongside our existing 16 tracks, we’re adding a new topic to the conversation: collaboration between airlines and airports.

Driving better partnerships across aviation is essential to bring the industry forward. But achieving real results between stakeholders isn’t easy. Across several panels and interviews on the keynote stage, the Airport-Airline Collaboration Summit will spotlight critical areas where aviation needs to work together to drive improvement.

Two sessions you won’t want to miss:

Panel: Digital identity in aviation – who builds the trust layer for seamless travel?

  • Maurice Jenkins, Chief Innovation Officer, Miami International Airport
  • Albert Van Veen, Vice President, Innovation and Chief Information Officer, Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
  • Lisette Looren de Jong-Vonk, Programme Manager Innovation Border Management, Ministry of Justice and Security – The Netherlands
  • Amin Lalani, Lead of Airport & Sky Club Digital Products & Experiences, Delta
  • Vladimir Stojkovski, SVP Product, CLEAR

Panel: Who owns the passenger & captures the value – and are airports and airlines ready for co-ownership? 

  • Artūrs Saveljevs, CCO, Riga Airport
  • Mr. Amber Dubey, CEO – Aero, Adani Airports 
  • Tom Kelly, Director – Ground Operations, Ryanair
  • Iyad Hindiyeh, CDO, GAL – GMR Group
  • Gerri Sinclair, VP Data and C3PO – Chief Prioritisation, Planning and Performance, Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
  • Mihai Tica, CIO, Dusseldorf Airport  

See the agenda to explore all speakers in airport-airline collaboration, as well as other exciting tracks including AI, IROPs, loyalty, sustainability, and more.

Ancillary Arena

Could your idea become aviation’s next big ancillary revenue opportunity?

Inspired by Shark Tank and Dragons’ Den, the Ancillary Arena will give start-ups, entrepreneurs, and independent innovators the chance to pitch their ideas directly to a panel of senior airline commercial leaders.

Our judges will challenge assumptions, ask the tough questions, and share honest feedback before selecting the idea they believe has the strongest real-world commercial potential.

As rising fuel prices continue to squeeze profit margins, and customers increasingly expect one-stop shop booking, airlines need innovative ancillary offerings more than ever. The Arena will provide a fun, competitive forum for all attendees to explore emerging concepts in retail.

Female Founders panel

The Aviation Festivals have a proven record in spotlighting game-changing aviation startups. And as part of the event’s mission to support industry innovators. this year we’re putting together a special session to showcase female excellence in the field.

Beginning an entrepreneurial career as a woman is already difficult, let alone in the male-dominated aviation industry. Built From Scratch: Insights from female founders will see four women share how they navigated the ups and downs of starting a business.

Hosted by Irra Ariella Khi, CEO and CoFounder of Zamna, the panel will feature:

  • Barbara Modalek, Founder & CEO, Virtuwella
  • Emna Touihri, CEO, Aeraut
  • Sally Bunnell, CEO, NaviSavi
  • Maria Martinez, CEO, Aerosens

Taking place at our Startup Theatre, the conversation will be essential viewing for aviation vendors as well as any attendees seeking career-building advice and inspiration.

World Aviation Festival 2026 is taking place 13-15 October at FIL, Lisbon. Register to join us now, and remember if you work for an airline, airport, or ground handler, you are entitled to a complimentary pass! Get in touch to learn more.

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