The World Aviation Festival is proving how the right location can fuel event success. For 2025, the global gathering is headed to Lisbon, Portugal, taking over the FIL – Lisbon Exhibition and Congress Centre from Oct. 7-9.
This year’s edition marks the largest footprint yet:
- 6,500 attendees
- 600 speakers (CEOs of Ryanair, International Airlines Group, Star Alliance, Hong Kong International Airport and more)
- 16 educational tracks (AI, customer experience, airline retail, marketing, ground operations, and more)
- 161,000 square feet of exhibition and theater space
According to Daniel Boyle, general manager of transport at organizer Terrapinn, the expansion reflects both the expected record attendance and the pull of Lisbon itself, which he described as “a vibrant, tech-centered city with a thriving innovation ecosystem and a growing reputation as one of Europe’s top hubs for digital and sustainable transformation.”
The location choice also aligns with key sponsors rooted in Lisbon: TAP Air Portugal, the official airline partner (offering attendees 10% off flights booked by Oct. 1), and ANA Aeroportos, part of Vinci Airports.
The duo joins a roster of some 400 sponsors and exhibitors, with Boyle noting that “being in Lisbon really helps” attract first-timers. As a transatlantic hub offering extensive connections between Europe, Africa and North America, “the city’s appeal draws a highly international audience and encourages new companies to get involved.”
It’s the World Aviation Festival’s second time in Lisbon, the first being in 2023.
The fest’s Startup Village was designed to give early-stage startup founders access to leaders in the airline, airport and travel technology executives in attendance.
Companies founded after 2021 with no more than 20 staffers receive two all-access conference passes, a roughly 10-square-foot expo booth and a chance to compete in the Startup Pitch Competition, judged by execs from Southwest Airlines, Amadeus and IBERIA.
Per the World Aviation Forum’s website, Startup Village will be completely full at the upcoming event.
Other sessions Boyle told Vendelux he’s particularly excited about:
- The opening keynote on Oct. 8 with Portugal’s Minister for Infrastructure & Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz
- TAP Air Portugal CEO Luis Rodrigues in a session titled, “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Future for Air Travel in a Complex World”
- David Rowan, founding editor of Wired, presenting “Non-Bu****it Innovation Insight” on AI’s impact on the passenger experience
- CEO interviews with IAG’s Luis Gallego and IATA’s Willie Walsh, plus high-level panels on airline retail, data leadership and the future of digital products
Boyle also teased a surprise announcement, saying the festival “always keeps something special in reserve for our esteemed guests.”
To attendees, his advice is simple: “Plan your agenda ahead of time, but leave room for serendipity.”
“It’s impossible to see everything,” he added, encouraging first-timers to attend “at least one of the big CEO keynotes—they’re always a Festival highlight”—and to “use our networking app.”
Speaking of, expect networking zones modeled after VIP airport lounges, and after-hours receptions hosted by event partners. “Our goal is to make it easy for attendees to connect, whether they’re meeting for the first time or deepening existing partnerships,” Boyle said.
