Lublin will host CONNECT 2026 from Tuesday, February 17 to Thursday, February 19, 2026., uniting aviation experts to propel route development and bolster Poland’s tourism infrastructure through targeted collaborations. he event is organized by The Airport Agency France.
The forum will feature workshops and a marketplace for airlines, airports, and authorities to enhance regional links, addressing demand from burgeoning visitor numbers.
The emphasis falls on sustainable models to support eco-friendly growth, aligning with national goals for diversified travel. Trade delegates will hear of strengthened intra-European flows, yielding dividends for local hospitality and coastal economies in the coming year.
- The event opens with welcome remarks from hosts, moderated by Chloe Greenbank from CONNECT Aviation, followed by an industry briefing on the state of the industry delivered by Andrew Doyle, Senior Director Market Development at Cirium.
- A panel discussion examines Lublin and the Lubelskie Region, covering cultural heritage, business opportunities, tourism experiences, growth potential, and connectivity, moderated by Nikodem Szczyglowski from CONNECT Aviation, with panellists Krzysztof Raganowicz, CEO of Lublin Metropolitan Tourism Organisation; Marek Pierscinski, CCO of Lublin Airport; and Katarzyna Ostrowska-Malczewska, General Manager of Lublin Regional Tourist Organization.
- Another panel addresses shaping the future of Polish aviation, including the impact of the new CPK airport, LOT expansion plans, strategies for regional airports such as Kraków, Gdańsk, Lublin, and Łódź, border operational issues, comparisons with neighbouring markets, and effects on infrastructure and tourism, moderated by Nikodem Szczyglowski, with panellists Marek Pierscinski from Lublin Airport; Marek Sławatyniec, CEO of MS Consulting; Andrzej Kobielski, CCO of EnterAir; Tomasz Szymczak, Acting CEO & SVP Commercial at Warsaw-Modlin Airport; and Robert Ludera, Director of Network Bureau at LOT Polish Airlines.
- A panel explores evolving trends and new opportunities in the Mediterranean market, including traveller behaviour shifts, long-haul demand, source markets, repositioning strategies, transatlantic interest, extended seasons, and diversification beyond leisure, moderated by Omar Hashmi, Managing Director of Volavion Aviation Consulting, with panellists Maria Kouroupi, Director Aviation Development Marketing & Communication at Hermes Airports; Atilay Batu, COO of Corendon Airlines; Nina Vojnic Zagar, CEO of Pula Airport; and Mario Garau, Route Development Manager at Olbia Airport – Sardinia.
- Robert Ludera from LOT Polish Airlines participates in a one-to-one conversation moderated by Bernie Baldwin on the airline’s priorities, outlook, and navigation of the aviation landscape.
- A panel discusses challenges and opportunities for small regional airports in growing passenger flows and their economic impacts on tourism, employment, and business, moderated by Andrew Doyle from Cirium, with panellists Marek Pierscinski from Lublin Airport; Philippe Wilmart, Airport Route Development Director at EGIS; Jon Bridge, CEO of Cardiff Airport; and Marja Aalto, Senior Specialist Aviation at Business Tampere.
- Nicolas Phan, Marketing Director at IDEMIA Public Security SAS, delivers a keynote on the value proposition for biometrics in airports and their role in fluid passenger journeys.
- Karim Makhlouf, CCO of Royal Jordanian Airlines, joins a one-to-one discussion on the airline’s commercial direction, positioning, and network strategies.
- Annabelle Lepièce, Lawyer at CMS DeBacker, presents a keynote on state aid to airports and airlines, covering European Commission decisions, exemptions, guideline revisions, block exemption regulations, and tips for legal public support and route partnerships.
- A panel reviews prospects for Ukraine’s aviation revival post-2022 airspace closure, including infrastructure status, resumption possibilities, and operations of Ukrainian airlines abroad, moderated by Nikodem Szczyglowski, with panellists Yanina Matlak, Director at Aerolink LLC; Laila Odina, CEO of Riga International Airport; Tetyana Romanovska, General Director at Lviv Airport; and a speaker to be announced.
- András Szabó, Network Officer at Wizz Air, features in a one-to-one conversation moderated by Bernie Baldwin on growth approaches, market opportunities, and network strategy.
- A panel examines turning net-zero commitments into progress, including SAF supply updates, decarbonisation steps, and complementary solutions, moderated by Chloe Greenbank, with panellists Antoine Toulemont, EU Affairs at AURA AERO; Marta Sabin Miralles de Imperial, Market Strategy Director at ATR; Christel Vandenhouten, Head of Sustainable Development at Brussels Airport; Peter Swallow, Sustainable Design Lead Europe at Corgan Architects; and Tom Cahill, Sustainable Fuels Advisor at World Fuel Services.
- Charles Thornberry, HO Customer Success Management at Airbus SAS, presents a case study on precision navigation at London City Airport for growth, with a speaker to be announced.
- A panel covers tourism and aviation partnerships for growth, including collaborations, campaigns, route initiatives, and measurable strategies, moderated by Chloe Greenbank, with panellists Jordi Candela, CEO Airports of Catalonia at GROwing; Hanna Tiitola, CEO of Destination Savo at Lakeland Finland; Michal J. Wichrowski, CEO of W Aviation Group; and a speaker to be announced.
- Omar Hashmi, Managing Director at Volavion Aviation Consulting, briefs on good practices for following up leads after CONNECT, including strategy, presentations, meetings, and route life cycles.
- Patrick Baudis, Co-Founder & Director at Airline Factory, briefs on marketing new route openings by aligning with airline economics through analytics, cost modelling, and profitability assessments.
- Christophe Ritter, Director at Milanamos SAS, briefs on EVTOL market horizons for short-haul travel and passenger growth.
- Ainesh Advani, Senior Consultant (Network & Fleet Planning) at Lufthansa Consulting, delivers a briefing.
- The programme includes one-to-one meetings, networking lunch, welcome reception, and networking dinner.
