CONNECT 2026 Kicks Off in Lublin with Over 800 Aviation Leaders Gathering!
17th – 19th February 2026
The Marshal Office of the Lubelskie Voivodeship, the City of Lublin, and Lublin Conference Center officially welcomed the global aviation community today as the 22nd edition of the CONNECT Route Development Forum opened at the Lublin Conference Center. Over 800 executives from airlines, airports, tourism boards, and industry suppliers from nearly 60 countries are attending the three-day event, running until 19 February 2026.
The inaugural session brought together key figures from the aviation industry and local authorities to highlight Lublin’s strategic potential as a growing hub for tourism, business, and air connectivity.
“The energy in Lublin today is truly inspiring. CONNECT 2026 is off to a strong start, and over the next three days the event will provide a high quality environment for business discussions, strategic meet-ings, and route development opportunities. Hosting CONNECT in Lublin highlights the city’s ambition to strengthen its position in European air connectivity and showcases the potential of the Lubel-skie region.” said Karin Butot, CEO of CONNECT Aviation.
The event was officially opened by Jarosław Stawiarski, Marshal of the Lubelskie Voivodeship, who said “I am delighted that we can host CONNECT 2026. It is worth noting that this is the first time the event is being held in Poland and in Lublin. The presence of decision-makers from the aviation industry in the capital of the region is an important step towards increasing the recognition of Lubel-skie and provides a stimulus for the development of companies, universities, cultural institutions and the region’s residents. This is a unique opportunity to showcase our investment and tourism potential and to promote Lublin Airport in terms of developing its network of connections and establishing busi-ness contacts, which in the long term may significantly expand the export opportunities of Lubelskie-based manufacturers.”
Krzysztof Żuk, Mayor of Lublin, added that “CONNECT in Lublin marks a breakthrough moment – for the first time in history, this prestigious forum is being held in Poland, placing our city at the center of the international aviation sector’s attention. The event confirms Lublin’s position as the fastest-grow-ing city in Eastern Poland and a strategic hub on the European Union’s eastern border. Hosting the congress in the period leading up to the European Capital of Culture celebrations provides a unique opportunity to showcase the city’s potential and encourage aviation industry representatives to launch operations at Lublin Airport. I am confident that the discussions held during the congress will contribute to the expansion of the route network, responding to the growing interest of travelers from across Europe and around the world. This will be particularly important in light of the anticipated in-crease in tourist traffic in 2029.”
Following the opening, delegates jumped straight into networking. Over 4,000 meetings were re-quested through the platform ahead of the event, filling the Airline Lounges with lively anticipation. The exhibition area was active with live activities at the stands, allowing delegates to explore products and engage directly with exhibitors. Meanwhile, the conference side offered engaging roundtables and inspiring keynote sessions, covering topics from sustainability in aviation to route development, ensuring that every discussion was relevant and forward-looking.Set in a state-of-the-art venue, the Lublin Conference Centre offered the ultimate delegate experience, combining modern facilities with spaces designed to foster interaction, collaboration, and discovery.
Aleksander Batorski, Director of Lublin Conference Centre, noted that “It is a great honour to host CONNECT 2026 in the Lublin region. For years, our Region has been steadily strengthening its position as a dynamic business and cultural hub of Eastern Europe, and welcoming such a prestigious event is a clear confirmation of this direction. We are delighted that representatives of the global aviation industry will have the opportunity to experience the energy of the Lublin Conference Center — a venue repeatedly recognised in the international Meeting Star ranking as the Best Convention Centre in Europe, a title reaffirmed once again last week in Ljubljana.”
Prior to the event, delegates were treated to guided excursions, showcasing the cultural richness of Lublin and the Lubelskie Voivodeship, historic architecture, and culinary heritage, highlighting the re-gion’s appeal for both airlines and travelers.
Lublin Airport, serving over 2 million residents in the region, is showcasing its growing network, which supports local economic development and strengthens Lublin’s position as a key entry point to Eastern Europe. With a record nearly 500,000 passengers served in 2025, the airport continues to play a piv-otal role in connecting the region to global markets.
About CONNECT ROUTE DEVELOPMENT Forum
CONNECT is an independent forum for the development of air routes, providing airports and their regions with a framework for developing their commercial activities. Now in its 22nd year, CONNECT is a recognised event dedicated to route development, aimed at airlines, airports, tourism organisations and industry suppliers.
Poland has never hosted CONNECT Aviation before.
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