Lublin Takes Centre Stage as Connect Aviation 2026 Welcomes Global Industry Leaders

All photos courtesy of Poland Convention Bureau

From 17 to 19 February 2026, the 22nd edition of the Connect Route Development Forum, also known as Connect Aviation, was held at the Lublin Conference Centre. Over three days, Lublin served as an international meeting point for discussions on the future of aviation and tourism, bringing together more than 800 participants from nearly 60 countries.

The event gathered representatives from 175 airports and 75 airlines, including Air Arabia, Aeroitalia, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Corendon Airlines, easyJet, Finnair, Lufthansa and Air France, alongside global industry experts. The largest delegations arrived from France, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Spain, Italy and Turkey. The Connect Aviation programme comprised more than 20 industry sessions, B2B meetings and networking opportunities. Key themes included the growth of regional aviation, collaboration between local authorities and carriers, reinforcing Lublin’s position as a regional aviation hub, the influence of Port Polska on the aviation landscape, airline strategies, Mediterranean market developments and the challenges confronting smaller airports.

“This is an excellent opportunity to draw attention to Lublin in Poland,” explained Karin Butot, CEO of The Airport Agency and the event’s principal organiser. “It is one of the hidden gems. The destination is already recognised, with a well-established position on the Polish market and in parts of Central Europe. In terms of route development, the airport has strong ambitions to grow, consolidate connections with broader markets and attract more visitors. As organisers, we are delighted to bring this community to your city, because we bring airline decision-makers. People who will explore it, discover it and say: yes, this could be a great place, we should open new routes.”

The successful organisation of Connect Aviation 2026 was made possible through strong partnerships and people who added meaningful value to the event. One of the key partners for the organiser, The Airport Agency, and the local hosts from the Lubelskie region was the Polish Tourism Organisation, together with the Poland Convention Bureau.
 

“I am pleased that Lublin, the cradle of Polish aviation, has once again found itself at the centre of aviation industry events after more than one hundred years. It was here that the first aircraft factory in independent Poland was established in 1920. Today, this aviation forum created an opportunity to meet a great number of partners within a short period of time and to discuss business opportunities and the potential launch of new routes in the future. The event not only strengthened Lublin’s position on the map of European industry meetings, but also demonstrated that the Lubelskie region is ready to deliver events of the highest standard, with scale, professionalism and genuine hospitality. I congratulate the organisers and am pleased that we could be part of this important event,” said Magdalena Krucz, President of the Polish Tourism Organisation.

On 18 February, Aneta Książek, Head of the Poland Convention Bureau, participated in the panel discussion “Tourism & Aviation – Winning Partnerships for Growth”. Her remarks highlighted the strategic synergy between tourism and aviation as a key engine of development.

The closing highlight of the collaboration with the Polish Tourism Organisation was an engaging keynote titled “Accessibility as a Business Opportunity for the Tourism and Meeting Industry”. Łukasz Wysocki, President of the Gdańsk Tourism Organisation – Gdansk Convention Bureau, together with Filip Wysocki, presented a personal yet strongly business-oriented perspective on accessibility in air transport. Their session demonstrated that accessibility goes beyond corporate social responsibility or brand positioning. It represents a concrete competitive advantage and a driver of growth across the entire sector. The speakers emphasised the ongoing barriers faced by people with disabilities, underlining that the world should be accessible to everyone, and that the tourism and aviation industries have a responsibility to open it thoughtfully, responsibly and without obstacles.

During Connect Aviation, the Polish Tourism Organisation introduced its Low Sensory Show Room relaxation space. From the outset, it was evident that this initiative addressed genuine needs within modern industry events. The concept reinforced the idea that conferences are not only about efficiency and networking, but also about participant well-being and inclusivity, including neurodiversity.
 

As Aneta Książek, Head of the Poland Convention Bureau, concluded: “Partnership is fundamental. I am pleased that our premiere presentation of the Low Sensory Show Room aligned so well with Connect Aviation, and that Mr Wysocki and his son Filip addressed such an important topic, contributing to a different perception of disability. I must admit that I was particularly struck by Filip’s comparison of his legs, meaning his electric wheelchair, being treated by airlines and airport handling services as unwanted baggage that could be removed from the aircraft, despite meeting certification requirements and holding an IATA certificate. Accessibility and equal treatment are so important that the Wysowskis have been invited to speak at the next edition of the event. I believe that, alongside the reputational success for Lublin and the Lubelskie region, welcoming over 800 participants from more than 50 countries as new ambassadors of the Poland brand, and the potential for new connections for Lublin Airport ahead of the European Capital of Culture 2029 celebrations, it is precisely the theme of accessibility and neurodiversity that will remain the true legacy of Connect Aviation 2026.”

Lublin – a city ready for the world

Connect Aviation 2026 confirmed that Lublin and the region provide not only modern infrastructure, but also the expertise and collaborative networks necessary to host events of international scale. The city’s hospitality and the professionalism of local stakeholders form a solid base for future ambitious initiatives. Through projects of this kind, Lublin continues to enhance its global visibility while fostering long-term partnerships and generating concrete development opportunities for both the aviation sector and the wider meetings industry.

The event was organised by The Airport Agency, the Lubelskie Voivodeship and the City of Lublin. Co-organisers and supporting partners included Lublin Airport, the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures, the Lubelskie Regional Tourism Organisation – Lubelskie Convention Bureau, the Local Tourism Organisation Metropolia Lublin, the Lublin Conference Centre and the Polish Tourism Organisation - Poland Convention Bureau.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.