CAPA Airline Leader Summit Americas 2026

Day 2 - Thursday 28 May 2026

09:00-09:10

CAPA Welcome

09:10-09:40

Interview with US FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford

Moderator: CBS, Senior Transportation & National Correspondence, Kris Van Cleave

US FAA, Administrator, Bryan Bedford

09:40-10:25

The Urgent Case for Air Traffic Management Modernisation

The aviation industry stands at a critical juncture where outdated air traffic management systems are increasingly unable to meet the demands of modern air travel. As passenger volumes continue to surge and operational complexity grows, US airlines face mounting challenges from inefficient routing, extended delays, and escalating fuel costs-all stemming from antiquated ATM infrastructure.

• Modernising the US air traffic management systems presents an unprecedented opportunity to transform these challenges into competitive advantages through enhanced flight efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and improved passenger experiences.
• By embracing next-generation technologies such as satellite-based navigation, real-time data sharing, and predictive analytics, airlines can unlock significant operational savings while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient aviation ecosystem.
• The time for incremental improvements has passed. What is needed is a collaborative dialogue between industry leaders, regulatory bodies, and technology providers to accelerate the implementation of comprehensive ATM modernisation initiatives that will define the future of American aviation.

Moderator: Clyde & Co, Partner, Ken Quinn

Panel:

ALPA, President, Jason Ambrosi

Association of Value Airlines, Executive Director, Jonathan Freye

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), National Program Office Representative, Dan Hamilton

United Airlines, VP Network Operations, Joseph Heins

10:30-10:45

Framing the Disruption Landscape

Disruption has become the defining challenge of modern aviation. In 2025 alone, nearly one in four passengers experienced delays or cancellations, with some peak markets seeing disruption rates climb above 30%. The pressures are coming from all directions-extreme weather events, air traffic control constraints, geopolitical tensions, and IT system failures-and they're all intensifying. The good news? AI and advanced technology are beginning to make these impacts more manageable.

Moderator: CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Head of Analysis, Rich Maslen

Panel:

IBS Software, Chief Revenue Officer, Jitendra Sindhwani

Air Transat, COO, Marc Lumpé

10:45-11:15

Coffee Break & Networking

11:15-11:45

Airline Leader Interview, Allegiant CEO, Greg Anderson

Allegiant, CEO, Greg Anderson

Moderator: KornFerry, Senior Client Partner, Michael Bell

11:45-12:25

Navigating the future of regional air travel: Challenges, opportunities and innovations in the US aviation landscape

Regional air travel in the US is at a turning point, offering airlines and regional airports a chance to redefine collaboration.

As international travel remains subdued, are US carriers adapting to this emerging trend? Are airlines managing to balance the growing demand for domestic routes with the need for profitability?

Regional airports often require smaller aircraft, yet supply chain disruptions pose challenges for many airlines. Does coach travel affect airline decisions on what routes to start? Could innovations like electric aircraft unlock new possibilities for efficient operations on shorter runways while advancing sustainability?

These pressing questions set the stage for a dynamic conversation on how airlines and regional airports can shape the future of US air travel together.

Moderator: Miller Air Group, President, Michael Miller

Panel:

Embraer Commercial Aviation, CCO, Martyn Holmes

Endeavor Air, President & CEO, Timothy Wang

Regional Airline Association, President & CEO, Faye Malarkey Black

Republic Airways, CEO, David Grizzle

12:25-13:05

Optimising Fleets and Workforces in a Supply-Constrained Aviation Industry

The aircraft supply chain crisis has evolved from what many hoped would be a temporary pandemic disruption into a fundamental industry challenge that demands strategic reimagining across every aspect of airline operations.

While there are small improvements in overarching supply chain disruption, a return to normal is years away, and the capacity squeeze has created a paradoxical situation where airlines must extend ageing aircraft lifespans-with their inherently higher maintenance costs and fuel consumption-precisely when sustainability commitments and operational efficiency targets are most critical. This extended operational timeline for older aircraft has created an urgent need for comprehensive workforce development, as airlines must ensure their teams are equipped to handle both legacy systems and emerging technologies.

• What fleet optimisation strategies are proving most effective in this constrained environment?
• How are airlines balancing short-term operational needs against long-term sustainability commitments?
• What training and certification challenges are airlines facing as they extend aircraft lifecycles while simultaneously preparing for next-generation technologies?
• What innovative approaches to workforce development are proving most effective for flight crews transitioning between aircraft generations, engineers managing hybrid fleets, and air traffic controllers adapting to evolving operational patterns?
• How might this extended supply chain disruption permanently reshape airline business models, competitive dynamics, and workforce requirements in ways that outlast the current crisis?

Moderator: HEICO Aerospace, Business Development Officer, Alex de Gunten

Panel:

Air Transat, COO, Marc Lumpé

United Airlines, VP Network Operations, Joseph Heins

FedEx, EVP Flight Ops & Airline Planning, Justin Brownlee

13:05-14:05

Lunch & Networking

14:05-14:20

Direct Aviation: Unlocking a New Era of Regional Mobility

The commercial aviation system was purpose-built to move large numbers of people efficiently between major markets-and it does exactly that. But the same hub-and-spoke architecture that has driven decades of growth also leaves a significant opportunity unreached: 35 million daily trips suppressed by the absence of viable air service, 84% of qualifying routes currently unserved, and a total addressable market valued at $74 billion. These aren't failures of vision or execution-they're the natural boundaries of an infrastructure designed for a different mission.

Direct Aviation changes the equation. Enabled by hybrid-electric aircraft designed for quiet, short-field, lower-cost operations, it allows carriers to activate thin routes, expand hub catchment areas, and connect communities using underutilized airport assets already in place-without competing with the networks they've built.

For airline and airport leaders seeking profitable growth beyond congested hubs, this session offers a clear look at how a new class of aircraft opens new networks, new partnerships, and a scalable path to revenue in markets aviation has never had the tools to reach. Until now.

Electra.aero, CEO, Marc Allen

14:20-15:00

Payments Modernisation: From the Basement to the Boardroom

Airline payments have evolved from a back-office function to a strategic boardroom priority, influencing customer experience, revenue, liquidity, and competitive edge. With U.S. airlines incurring over USD 8.3 billion annually in card processing costs and customers demanding seamless digital payment experiences, modernization is essential.

This session focuses on transforming fragmented payment systems into flexible, orchestrated platforms that drive growth and resilience.

• Payments as a strategic asset, not just a cost centre.
• Revenue impact of payment friction and failed transactions.
• CFO priorities: refunds, chargebacks, currency exposure, and interline settlement.
• Co-branded cards, wallets, and embedded finance as profit drivers.
• Shifting dynamics between airlines, banks, and card networks.

Moderator: IATA, Regional Director of Financial & Distribution Services, Alicia Lines

Panel:

Endava, SVP & Industry Principal, Matt Williamson

American Airlines, Chief Strategy Officer, Stephen Johnson

15:00-15:40

Canada's Flight Path to a Brighter Aviation Future

Canada's aviation industry is on the verge of transformative change as the Competition Bureau's 2025 report, "Cleared for Take-off: Elevating Airline Competition," proposes bold measures to open the skies. Key recommendations include raising foreign ownership caps, allowing up to 100% foreign ownership for domestic-only airlines, and exploring cabotage to boost competition.

These changes promise lower airfares, better service, and greater connectivity for travelers, while sparking innovation and growth across the industry. However, the report also highlights the challenges faced by Canadian North, an airline critical to serving remote communities. The Bureau notes that Canadian North has been severely impacted by the high operating costs in Canada, which threaten its financial viability and reduce essential services to these regions. This raises questions about how such reforms will balance increased competition with the need to sustain airlines that provide vital connectivity to underserved areas.

Though concerns about sovereignty remain, the potential to create a more dynamic, traveler-focused market is undeniable. Canada's skies are set to become more open, competitive, and accessible than ever before. But what's the ideal composition of Canada's domestic market? With a population of 40 million-significantly smaller than the US-how many healthy airlines can the market realistically absorb? Will these proposals open the door for more low-cost competition, or, as is the case in the US, do Canadians want more than bare-bones offerings? The future of Canada's aviation landscape will depend on finding the right balance between competition, affordability, and the sustainability of essential services.

Moderator: AirTrav, President & MD, Robert Kokonis

Panel:

Canadian Airports Council, President, Monette Pasher

Porter, SVP & CCO, Edmond Eldebs

Transport Canada, Director General of Air Policy, Jennifer Little

15:40-15:45

CAPA wrap up

15:45-16:30

Closing Coffee Break