The World Aviation Festival calls itself the world’s largest aviation tech event, and the numbers back that up. Airline CEOs, airport chiefs, and the software companies that run behind-the-scenes operations for both all show up in one place for three days. The 2026 edition moves to Lisbon, with airline retail, AI, and passenger experience as the big themes running through the agenda.
Event Snapshot
Show name: World Aviation Festival 2026
Run by: Terrapinn Holdings Ltd
Dates: 13–15 October 2026
Location: FIL, Lisbon, Portugal
Who This Event Is Really For
This isn’t a general travel expo — it’s built specifically around the people running airlines and airports from the inside.
Airline and Airport Leadership
The festival is aimed at the most senior people in charge of software, services, marketing, and distribution at airlines and airports. Past speaker lineups have included CEOs from TAP Air Portugal, LATAM, Kenya Airways, ITA Airways, and Royal Air Maroc, along with airport executives such as the head of Pittsburgh International Airport.
Free Passes for Airlines and Airports
Airline, airport, and ground handling professionals can apply for a complimentary pass using their organisation email address — a detail worth knowing if your company falls into that category, since vendor and supplier tickets are priced separately.
Scale of the 2026 Show
Numbers here come straight from the organiser rather than rounded estimates.
Attendance and Speakers
The 2026 edition is expected to bring together more than 4,500 attendees and around 600 speakers across the three days.
Size of the Exhibitor List
Hundreds of companies exhibit each year, ranging from major names like Boeing, IBM, and Airbus down to early-stage travel tech startups showing off new products in a dedicated start-up area.
Topics Shaping the Agenda
The conference programme is organised around a wide spread of subjects rather than one single track.
Core Themes
Sessions cover digital and IT transformation, AI and machine learning, customer experience, loyalty programmes, airline retail, sustainability, payments, and cybersecurity.
Operational Tracks
Alongside the customer-facing topics, there are dedicated sessions on ground operations, airport technology, IROPS (irregular operations), and talent within the industry.
Beyond the Main Stage
The event runs a few side programmes that give it more texture than a standard conference.
Start-up Village
Newer aviation and travel tech companies get their own space to demo products and meet potential airline or airport clients without competing for attention against large established vendors.
Battle of the Airline Apps
A competition-style session lets airlines show off their mobile apps, giving attendees a direct comparison of how different carriers are approaching digital passenger experience.
5k Fun Run
Held alongside the main event, this is a lighter networking option for attendees who want informal conversations away from the show floor.
Getting There and Planning Your Visit
A few practical points worth sorting out ahead of time rather than scrambling closer to October.
Accommodation
Terrapinn’s event site lists recommended hotel options near the FIL venue in Lisbon, worth booking early given the size of the event.
Group Bookings
Companies sending multiple attendees can contact the organiser directly for discounted group rates rather than booking each ticket separately.
Common Questions About World Aviation Festival 2026
When does World Aviation Festival 2026 take place?
It runs from 13 to 15 October 2026 at FIL in Lisbon, Portugal.
Who can get a free ticket to World Aviation Festival?
Airline, airport, and ground handling professionals can apply for a complimentary pass, provided they register using a valid organisation email address.
How many people attend World Aviation Festival?
The 2026 edition is expected to draw more than 4,500 attendees and around 600 speakers.
What topics does the conference cover?
Sessions span digital transformation, AI, customer experience, loyalty, airline retail, sustainability, payments, cybersecurity, ground operations, and airport technology.
Is there a space for startups at the event?
Yes, a dedicated Start-up Village gives newer travel and aviation tech companies their own area to exhibit and meet potential clients.
Who organises World Aviation Festival?
The event is organised by Terrapinn Holdings Ltd, a UK-based company that runs several aviation and travel industry events globally.
