CAPA Launches 2026 Global Aviation Summit Series with Airline Leader Summit in Berlin

Industry Leaders Taking the Stage

The summit will feature an exceptional lineup of aviation industry leaders, including:

• Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO, Aegean

• Greg Anderson, President & CEO, Allegiant Travel Company

• Jens Ritter, CEO, Lufthansa

• Paul Verhagen, CCO, SAS

• Aletta von Massenbach, CEO, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg

• Stefan Schnorr, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, German Federal Ministry of Transport

• Michael Bell, Senior Client Partner, KornFerry

"We are delighted that CAPA has chosen Berlin as the venue for its Airline Leader Summit - Airlines in Transition. We warmly welcome the airline representatives to Berlin and are proud to be hosting the event in the Berlin-Brandenburg region," says Aletta von Massenbach, Chief Executive Officer of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH. "We have succeeded in bringing this important conference to Berlin by joining forces with visitBerlin and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It brings together the industry's decision-makers in the capital at a strategically important time. The opportunity for dialogue on an equal footing creates space for exchange, new perspectives, and sustainable solutions."

"The aviation industry stands at a pivotal moment, facing both significant challenges and extraordinary opportunities," said Claudia Kunz, Events Director at CAPA - Centre for Aviation. "Our summit in Berlin will serve as the definitive forum for industry leaders to collaborate on solutions that will define aviation's next chapter."

"We've designed this summit to be more than just another industry conference," said Claudia Kunz. "By bringing together the aviation sector's most influential decision-makers in Berlin, we're creating a unique platform for the strategic conversations and collaborative partnerships that will drive meaningful change across the industry."

The summit will address critical challenges and opportunities facing the aviation sector through eight key focus areas:

1. Building the Future-Ready Airline: With net margins hovering below 5%, selling seats alone can no longer sustain profitability. Airlines are rapidly evolving from transport providers into sophisticated retail platforms.
2. Monetising the Customer Relationship: Non-fare revenues: The most forward-thinking airlines are moving beyond traditional à la carte ancillaries toward sophisticated monetisation strategies that create value throughout the customer journey.
3. How Financial Innovation is Reshaping Aviation's Supply Chain Strategy: The aviation industry is witnessing unprecedented financial innovation as airlines navigate persistent supply chain disruptions that have fundamentally altered traditional operational models. Carriers are having to reimagine their financial strategies to maintain operational resilience.
4. AI Revolution in Aviation: Building Emotional Connections in the Digital Age: As airlines navigate the new landscape, artificial intelligence has emerged as a transformative force in creating meaningful passenger connections that drive loyalty and revenue growth.
5. Redefining Airline Payments: Payments are no longer just a cost to manage, they influence revenue, customer conversion, and competitive positioning.
6. Attracting Top Talent: The aviation industry stands at a critical juncture where traditional talent pools may no longer suffice for the complex challenges ahead. Airlines increasingly need to attract professionals from industries that have mastered the art of turning customer relationships into sustainable revenue streams.
7. Alliance or Independence: The fundamental strategic question facing every airline today is whether the undeniable benefits of partnerships and alliances outweigh the significant risks of reduced competitive flexibility, regulatory scrutiny, cultural misalignment, and potential loss of brand differentiation.
8. Navigating the Sustainability Imperative: The airline industry stands at a critical inflexion point as it confronts its environmental footprint amid intensifying climate urgency and regulatory pressure.

Attendees will participate in executive interviews, high-level panels, strategic keynotes, and premium networking sessions designed to deliver actionable insights into market dynamics, regulatory developments, and competitive strategies.

The CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Airlines in Transition 2026 functions as both a strategic compass and collaborative platform, enabling industry leaders to forge partnerships and develop frameworks for building a more resilient, sustainable, and customer-centric aviation ecosystem.

This exclusive gathering will provide delegates with unparalleled access to industry intelligence, strategic insights, and networking opportunities with aviation's most influential decision-makers.

Registration and program details are available at ait26.capaevents.com

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About CAPA - Centre for Aviation

CAPA - Centre for Aviation (CAPA), part of Aviation Week Network, is the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services covering worldwide developments. Established in 1990, CAPA's platforms help the aviation sector and supplier businesses stay informed, remain connected to industry leaders and fuel inspiration to drive change. CAPA's global C-level and corporate travel in-person and virtual Summits and Masterclasses attract executive level speakers, attendees and leading stakeholders of the global commercial aviation industry. Understanding aviation markets is our great strength and passion, along with providing CAPA members, clients and partners with an unparalleled level of expertise and insight. For more information and details on membership and events, please visit centreforaviation.com.

About Aviation Week Network:

Aviation Week Network, the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defence industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world, is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC. Aviation Week Network's portfolio of air transport solutions includes the leading brands of Air Transport World (ATW), Airport Strategy & Marketing (ASM), Aviation Daily, CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Routes and Aviation Week's intelligence and fleet data services. The air transport portfolio delivers face-to-face connections, essential news, analysis, business intelligence and data across multiple platforms while producing innovative and impactful marketing programs. For more information visit aviationweek.com.

About Informa Markets:

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Aviation, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit informamarkets.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Karolina Rodriguez

Senior Marketing Manager

CAPA - Centre for Aviation

krodriguez@centreforaviation.com