Airport and airline cooperation will take centre stage at the World Aviation Festival (WAF) 2026, with a dedicated Airport & Airline Collaboration Track set to examine how closer industry coordination can improve operational resilience, commercial performance and the passenger experience.
The three-day aviation event is scheduled to take place from 13 to 15 October 2026 in Lisbon, bringing together aviation leaders, technology companies, airports, airlines and other industry stakeholders to discuss the future of air travel.
Organised by Terrapinn, the World Aviation Festival is introducing the dedicated collaboration track to address some of the shared challenges facing airports and airlines. Discussions will also involve key players across the aviation ecosystem, including border management authorities, ground handling companies and technology providers.
According to Daniel Boyle, General Manager of Transport at Terrapinn, the aviation industry needs stronger cooperation between airports and airlines as both sectors deal with increasingly complex operational demands.
“Airlines and airports are facing many of the same pressures, but too often they are still trying to solve them in isolation,” Boyle said. He added that the new track is intended to provide a platform where industry leaders can openly discuss existing challenges, outdated systems and established ways of working while identifying practical solutions.
The programme will focus not only on collaboration but also on how partnerships can translate into improved operations, stronger commercial results and a smoother experience for passengers.
Digital Identity and the Future of Passport-Free Travel
One of the key discussions at the event will focus on digital identity infrastructure and the technologies that could transform international travel.
A dedicated panel will examine standards such as IATA One ID and ICAO Digital Travel Credentials, while exploring whether travellers could eventually complete an end-to-end journey without presenting a traditional physical passport.
The session will feature Maurice Jenkins of Miami International Airport, Amin Lalani of Delta Air Lines, Vladimir Stojkovski of CLEAR, and Lisette Looren de Jong of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security.
The discussion is expected to examine how digital credentials, identity verification and industry-wide standards could work together to create a more seamless airport journey while maintaining security and regulatory requirements.
Building Greater Operational Resilience
Another session will examine how airports, airlines and ground handlers can work together more effectively during operational disruptions and other industry challenges.
Rather than developing separate responses, the session will explore ways stakeholders can coordinate their resources, technology and processes to strengthen resilience across the wider aviation network.
Speakers participating in the discussion include Istvan Szabo of Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Ryan Abram of dnata, Adam Schipper of Ericsson, Chamith Seneviratne of Air Canada, and Marc-Philippe Lumpé of Air Transat.
The programme will also feature a fireside chat with Girish Nair, Chief Operating Officer of Bangalore International Airport, who will discuss how airports and airlines can better align their operational priorities with commercial objectives.
Global Aviation Industry Leaders to Gather in Lisbon
The World Aviation Festival is positioned as a major international meeting point for the aviation technology sector. The 2026 edition is expected to bring together more than 4,500 attendees and 600 speakers over three days.
With airport-airline partnerships, digital identity, operational resilience and passenger experience among the key topics, the event will provide a platform for aviation leaders to discuss how technology and closer industry cooperation can shape the future of air travel.
For more information about the World Aviation Festival 2026, visit World Aviation Festival
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