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World Aviation Festival: 2026 calendar and schedule
The most anticipated event in the world of aviation is here! Discover the full program for the World Aviation Festival 2026.
The World Aviation Festival is back in 2026, one of the biggest and most exciting events in the aviation industry. Airlines, airports, tech innovators, and industry leaders come together to explore the latest trends, showcase new technologies, and make meaningful connections. Whether you work in aviation or just love the industry, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Keep reading to find all the details about the World Aviation Festival 2026: where it will take place, what activities are planned, which guests will attend, and ticket prices. We’ve gathered all the official information so you don’t miss this key event in the aviation calendar.
What is the World Aviation Festival 2026?
If you work in aviation, whether as flight crew, airline staff, or part of an executive team, you are likely familiar with the World Aviation Festival 2026. This leading conference and exhibition brings together senior figures from airlines, airports, and technology companies to share insights, discuss where the industry is heading, and present innovative solutions that improve the passenger experience, support sustainability, and shape future business models.
The event traces its roots back to 2003, when it began as the Low Cost Airlines Congress. Over the years, it has evolved into the festival we know today, expanding its focus beyond low cost carriers to represent the entire aviation industry. This transformation reflects the impact of modern forces shaping aviation, including artificial intelligence and ongoing technological innovation.
Annual industry events like this tend to have a strong positive impact on host cities, benefiting tourism, hospitality, transport, and the local food scene. In this case, the World Aviation Festival 2026 will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, bringing thousands of international attendees to the city over several days.
What activities does the World Aviation Festival 2026 offer?
At the World Aviation Festival 2026, you will be able to take part in three days of activities, including conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and networking opportunities. Here’s an overview of the types of sessions and events that previous editions featured and that the organizers expect to return for this upcoming one.
1. Strategy conferences
You can attend talks and panel sessions led by speakers from international airlines, airports, and technology companies, focusing on how business models are evolving, how global competition is shaping the industry, and which strategies are driving future growth. The conference program covers 16 key themes, including:
- Customer experience: Digital identity, solutions to improve accessibility, and complementary services.
- Cybersecurity: Data protection, risks in networks and digital platforms.
- Sustainability and decarbonization: Sustainable fuels, emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and green strategies.
- Operational efficiency: Interruption management (IROPS), digitized maintenance operations, and ground-air coordination.
- Ancillary revenue: Sale of complementary products, integrated financing, and payment strategy.
- Airport technology: Technological solutions, access control and biometrics, and process automation.
2. Aviation Industry Exhibition
More than 400 leading brands from the aviation industry will take part in an exhibition showcasing the aviation ecosystem, with live demos and presentations of the latest technology solutions. Major exhibitors from previous editions, such as Flyr, Pros, CarTrawler, Amadeus, Microsoft, and HTS, are expected to return for the World Aviation Festival 2026.
3. Start-up Village
If you have an emerging start-up and want to take part in the 2026 World Aviation Festival, you can secure a one-square-meter space to showcase your innovations to over 4,500 aviation industry leaders for just $435. You’ll also have the chance to compete in the Start-up Pitch Contest to present your ideas. To qualify, your company must have been founded in 2022 or later, have fewer than 20 employees, and not have participated in previous editions.
Guests of the World Aviation Festival 2026
The 2026 World Aviation Festival will bring together over 600 speakers and around 4,500 attendees. While the official list of speakers hasn’t been finalized yet, the organizers have already confirmed several executives and industry experts who will be attending. Below is a table of the key guests you’ll have the chance to meet, along with their roles in the industry:
| Guest | Position | Profile |
| Luis Rodrigues | Chairman of the Board & CEO, TAP Air Portugal | Head of Portugal’s national airline |
| Willie Walsh | Director General, IATA | Top authority at the International Air Transport Association |
| Luis Gallego | CEO, International Airlines Group | Director of IAG, owner of airlines such as Iberia and British Airways |
| Vivian Cheung | CEO, Hong Kong International Airport | Manages one of Asia’s busiest and most strategic airports |
| Sir Tim Clark | President, Emirates | An iconic figure in global aviation, at the helm of one of the most prestigious airlines |
| Pieter Elbers | CEO, IndiGo | Leader of India’s largest low-cost airline |
| Carolina Martinoli | CEO, Vueling | Leads the Spanish airline of the IAG group, key in intra-European routes |
| Heather Garboden | Senior VP & Chief Customer Officer, American Airlines | Executive focused on passenger experience and commercial strategy |
| Eddie Wilson | CEO, Ryanair DAC | Leads Europe’s leading low-cost airline |
| Yvonne Makolo | CEO, Rwandair | Leads Rwanda’s national airline, which is experiencing strong growth in Africa |
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Where is the World Aviation Festival 2026 held and how do I get there?
If you’re planning to attend the 2026 World Aviation Festival, it will take place from October 13 to 15, 2026 at the FIL Convention Center (Feira Internacional de Lisboa), located in the Parque das Nações district of Lisbon, Portugal. This state-of-the-art venue is one of the largest in the country, offering spacious, professional, and comfortable facilities for thousands of attendees. Here’s how you can get there:
- From Lisbon: The fastest way is to take the red metro line to Oriente station. From there, it is about a 10-minute walk.
- From abroad: If you land at Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), you can take the red metro line, hop in a taxi for a roughly 15-minute ride, or catch a bus that connects the airport with Oriente Station.
- From nearby cities: From Porto, Coimbra, or Faro, you can take the Alfa Pendular train to Lisbon, a journey of about three hours, and then hop on the red metro line to reach FIL.
Once you arrive at FIL, you’ll need to show your ticket at the reception to get your badge. The venue features clear signage, a main entrance, alternate access points for exhibitors, wide walkways, and staff ready to help if needed. We recommend arriving with plenty of time before any conference starts to avoid delays due to large crowds.
Price and tickets to attend the World Aviation Festival 2026
Now that you have all the information you need to attend the 2026 World Aviation Festival and make the most of its exhibitions and conferences, let’s take a look at ticket prices, the official purchase channels, and the terms of use. There are three ticket categories, tailored to different types of attendees:
- Conference & Exhibition: Full access to all sessions over the three days of the event is $2,062 if purchased before January 16, 2026; after that date, the price will increase to $4,100.
- Conference & Exhibition Limited: Access to conferences and exhibitions, with some other activities limited, is $1,290 if purchased before January 16, and $3,530 after that date.
- Airline & Airport Executives: Special admission for airline and airport executives, with full access for $347.
- VIP Partnering Program: For executives only. If you participate as a speaker in at least six meetings, you will have free access to the event.
The official way to buy tickets is through the Terrapinn website, where you can select “Book Tickets” and pay by credit or debit card, bank transfer, or corporate payment for companies. You can also purchase tickets via the Aviation Festival App, which lets you access the event using a QR code.
Please note that these tickets are personal and non-transferable. If you are unable to attend, you should contact the organizers to see if it’s possible to exchange your ticket for another date. Be sure to read the purchase terms carefully and make sure you agree with them. We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 World Aviation Festival in Lisbon!
Frequently asked questions about the World Aviation Festival 2026
The World Aviation Festival 2026 will take place from October 13 to 15, 2026, in Lisbon, according to the official dates published by the organization.
The festival targets aviation industry professionals, including airport and airline executives, technology providers, sector startups, travel agencies, investors, and innovation leaders.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend strategic airline conferences, executive panels, exhibitions, sustainability discussions, networking areas, and a showcase of technology partners.
To enter the World Aviation Festival 2026, you must have an official ticket, which you can purchase on the event’s official website.
They are mainly held in English, as attendees and speakers come from all over the world to this international event.
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