Belgium Aligns with Georgia, Germany and More Nations to Participating IATA Wings of Change and Uniting Aviation Leaders and Policymakers

Belgium will host IATA Wings of Change Europe in Brussels on 15 October, bringing leaders from Georgia, Germany, Türkiye, Jordan, the Netherlands and beyond into dialogue with European policymakers. The gathering will examine aviation competitiveness, passenger rights, safety, sustainability and connectivity, with implications for airlines, airports, travellers and tourism economies.

IATA Wings of Change Europe 2026 will bring government ministers, airline executives, airport leaders and regulators to Brussels on 15 October. The conference will examine competitiveness, passenger rights, safety, sustainability and connectivity as Europe faces rising costs, changing regulations and pressure to maintain strong air links for travellers and businesses.

The International Air Transport Association will bring senior aviation leaders, policymakers and regulators to Brussels for Wings of Change Europe 2026, a one-day conference focused on the future competitiveness, sustainability and connectivity of European air transport.

The event will take place on 15 October at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brussels City. It follows IATA’s World Sustainability Symposium, scheduled at the same venue on 13 and 14 October. The back-to-back programme puts Brussels at the centre of a significant aviation policy week, bringing together people responsible for airlines, airports, regulation, safety and international cooperation.

Wings of Change Europe, known as WOCE, is one of IATA’s key regional forums. It is designed as a policy and leadership gathering, rather than a traditional consumer travel exhibition. Its importance lies in its ability to bring airlines, public authorities, airport operators, aircraft manufacturers, service providers and international organisations into the same discussion.

IATA says the conference is expected to attract more than 300 industry leaders and decision-makers. The agenda will examine the economic and political conditions affecting aviation across Europe, where airlines face high operating costs, evolving environmental rules, infrastructure constraints and intense competition.

Brussels becomes a meeting point for European aviation policy

Brussels is a natural location for the conference because it is home to the European Union institutions and a major centre for aviation regulation. Decisions made in the city can influence airline operations, passenger protections, airport policy, emissions measures and market access across the continent.

The programme will consider the geopolitical landscape, the economic value of aviation to Europe, competitiveness, passenger rights, airport legislation and safety. It will also address taxation, operations, sustainability, data, digitalisation and innovation.

These issues affect more than aviation companies. They directly influence the ability of travellers to access affordable flights, the strength of tourism links between destinations and the capacity of businesses to connect with international markets. For tourism economies, dependable air connectivity remains central to visitor growth, trade, investment and employment.

IATA has positioned the event as a place where governments, global institutions and industry representatives can discuss ways to protect Europe’s air links while responding to climate and regulatory challenges.

Belgium, Georgia and Türkiye among countries represented

The confirmed speaker list shows representation from several countries, as well as European and international institutions.

Belgium will be represented by Jean-Luc Crucke, Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition. His attendance is significant because Belgium is the host country and Brussels is the base for many European transport and aviation policy discussions.

Georgia will be represented by Tamar Ioseliani, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development. Georgia’s presence reflects the importance of aviation links between the European Union and neighbouring markets. Improved connectivity supports visitor flows, trade and wider economic cooperation.

Türkiye will have representation through Selahattin Bilgen, Chief Executive of iGA Istanbul Airport. Istanbul Airport is one of the region’s largest global hubs and plays a key role in connecting Europe with Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Germany will be represented by Peter Gerber, Chief Executive of Condor. The airline is an important leisure carrier for German travellers, with a network supporting tourism routes to Mediterranean, Caribbean, North American and long-haul destinations.

Jordan’s aviation perspective will be represented by Samer Majali, Vice Chairman and Board Designee Chief Executive of Royal Jordanian. The airline connects Amman with European cities and other international markets, supporting inbound tourism and regional business travel.

The Netherlands will be represented by Pieter van Oord, President and Chief Executive of Royal Schiphol Group. Schiphol is one of Europe’s major airport operators and its inclusion ensures that airport capacity, infrastructure and operational pressures will be closely represented in the discussion.

European Union and global aviation bodies take part

The European Commission’s transport directorate, DG MOVE, will have several senior representatives in the programme. These include Filip Cornelis, Director for Aviation; Magda Kopczynska, Director-General; Eddy Liégeois, Head of Unit for Aviation Policy; and Dominik Piotrowski, Acting Head of Unit for Social Aspects, Passenger Rights and Equality.

Their participation underlines the policy weight of the event. European aviation rules shape the experience of millions of passengers, from compensation and accessibility rules to airline operating conditions, airport charges and sustainability requirements.

Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, is also part of the line-up. EASA has a central role in aviation safety, certification and technical standards across Europe.

At the global level, Toshiyuki Onuma, President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, will open the conference. ICAO sets global standards for international civil aviation, making its involvement important as Europe discusses the balance between regional rules and worldwide aviation standards.

Airlines, airports and cargo networks in the same room

The confirmed industry organisations include iGA Istanbul Airport, Condor, Royal Jordanian, Royal Schiphol Group and FedEx. Wouter Roels, President Europe at FedEx, will bring a cargo and logistics perspective to the event.

This combination matters because aviation policy affects more than passenger services. Air cargo supports supply chains, pharmaceutical shipments, e-commerce, high-value goods and time-sensitive exports. Airport operations also determine how efficiently both passengers and freight can move through the network.

For travel and tourism, airlines and airports need coordinated policy on issues such as airspace capacity, airport infrastructure, operational resilience and border processes. Delays and high costs can weaken route development, while stable regulatory frameworks can encourage investment in aircraft, services and new destinations.

No published exhibitor list yet

IATA is promoting sponsorship and exhibition opportunities for Wings of Change Europe 2026. However, the official event information does not yet provide a named 2026 exhibitor directory.

This distinction is important for travel trade reporting. The companies and institutions listed by IATA should be described as confirmed speakers or represented organisations, not as exhibitors, unless a formal exhibitor list is released.

The event welcomes a broad aviation audience. IATA identifies airlines and airline associations, airports, ground handlers, governments, aircraft manufacturers, consulting firms, law firms, solution providers, specialist publications and media among the sectors that attend.

This structure makes WOCE particularly relevant to companies working in air transport, tourism development, destination connectivity, airport services, aviation technology, safety and sustainability.

Why the event matters for travel

European aviation is at a turning point. Demand for travel remains strong, but airlines and airports must deal with high costs, capacity bottlenecks, environmental commitments and a complex regulatory landscape.

The Brussels discussions will not immediately change those conditions. However, they offer a clear platform for the people who make and influence aviation decisions. The presence of ministers, European Commission officials, international regulators, airport leaders and airline executives gives the conference a wider policy value than a standard industry networking event.

For travellers, the outcome of these conversations can shape flight choice, airport experience, ticket costs, route availability and the reliability of air services. For destinations, stronger aviation links can bring more visitors and create opportunities across hotels, attractions, restaurants, transport and local businesses.

By convening ministers, regulators, airlines, airports and international aviation bodies, the Brussels conference offers a timely forum for Europe’s air transport sector. Its discussions cannot solve every challenge, but they can shape shared priorities for reliable connections, fair rules, investment, safety and lower-emission travel across Europe and its global markets.

Video: IATA