CONNECT 2026 Route Forum Development lands in Lublin for its 22nd edition!
Lublin, Poland, announced as Host City
17th – 19th February 2026
The Airport Agency, creator of the CONNECT Route Development Forum, together with the official local hosts — Marshal Office of the Lubelskie Voivodeship, the City of Lublin, and Lublin Conference Center — is proud to announce that Lublin, Poland will host the 22nd edition of CONNECT from 17 to 19 February 2026.
The announcement was made at a press conference held today in Lublin, attended by local authorities and CONNECT representatives.
Taking place over three days, the event is set to attract over 800 aviation industry decision-makers from more than 65 countries. The event will feature prescheduled one-to-one meetings, a high-level conference programme, and an engaging social agenda — offering unmatched opportunities to drive new air service development and strengthen industry partnerships.
– Following the success of our last event in Girona, we are delighted to be hosting CONNECT in another extraordinary location. We look forward to welcoming the aviation community and enabling our dele-gates to discover the wealth of potential that this dynamic region has to offer! – says Karin Butot, CEO of the Airport Agency, CONNECT creator and organizer.
A Strategic Eastern European Destination
CONNECT’s arrival in Lubelskie Voivodeship marks an important expansion into Eastern Europe — a region gaining significance in the global aviation landscape. As Poland continues to grow as a business and tourism hub, Lublin offers a compelling mix of historical depth, cultural vibrancy, and strategic potential.
Located on the right bank of the Vistula River, Lublin is the largest and fastest growing city in eastern Poland. With over 700 years of tradition as a crossroads of trade routes and ideas, the city today combines medieval charm with forward-looking energy. The cultural strategy of Lublin 2030+ emphasises the creative industry, accessibility and innovation, making Lublin not only a cultural centre but also a modern European metropolis.
– CONNECT is one of the most important events for the aviation industry, giving us an opportunity to raise awareness about our city and showcase the potential of our destination. Hosting this prestigious conference in Lublin in the years leading up to the European Capital of Culture 2029 will be a unique occasion to present everything our city has to offer. The event will serve as an excellent platform for promoting the city and encouraging aviation sector representatives to consider operations at Lublin Airport. I am pleased that, together with the Lublin Voivodeship, we will have the honour of hosting this international event. – said Krzysztof Żuk, Mayor of Lublin.
Lubelskie Voivodeship is one of the oldest regions in Poland, full of potential. Its dynamic development means that the region is increasingly making its mark on the map of contemporary Europe. Lubelskie surprises with its multicultural richness of the past, which has been created over the centuries by representatives of various nations, religions and cultures. Its undoubted assets include cultural heritage, numerous and diverse folk traditions, close contact with unspoilt nature and interesting destinations for active tourism.
– The selection of the capital of the Lubelskie Voivodeship as the host of the CONNECT AVIATION 2026 Congress proves that our region is on the right track. This decision is in line with our historical traditions, as we are famous for the Military University of Aviation in Dęblin. In this way, we are becoming a centre of business, tourism and culture. I am convinced that this important and strategic event will build the significance of the Lubelskie Voivodeship on the international arena. – said Jarosław Stawiarski, Marshal of the Lubelskie Voivodeship.
Lublin Airport provides transport access for over 2 million residents of the Lubelskie Voivodeship. In 2025, plans are to serve 500,000 passengers, which will be the best result in the 13 years of operation of the airport in Lublin. This confirms that the Lublin airport plays an important role in the economic and tourist development of the region.
– Despite its relatively short history, Lublin Airport is consistently building its position as a window to the world for this part of Poland and a lever for the region’s development. I am convinced that organizing one of the largest aviation events in the world will contribute significantly to the further promotion of the city of Lublin and the Lubelskie Voivodeship. More and more tourists and entrepreneurs are coming here precisely because the region has an airport. – said Marcin Kowalewski, Vice-President of Lublin Airport.
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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