Lublin, the capital of the aviation industry in February 2026

Promoting the region among aviation industry leaders

CONNECT is one of the most important events for the aviation industry, enabling us to raise awareness of our city and highlight 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 an exceptional opportunity to present everything our city has to offer. The event will provide an excellent platform to promote the city and encourage aviation sector representatives to launch operations at Lublin Airport. I am pleased that, together with the Lublin Voivodeship, we will host this international meeting, says Krzysztof Żuk, Mayor of Lublin.

In 2029, Lublin will proudly hold the title of European Capital of Culture, delivering a program of celebrations created together with its residents. Winning this title means not only a wealth of unique initiatives, projects, and cultural events, but also the growth of sectors linked to tourism and the promotion of the city on an unprecedented scale.

First time in Central Europe

Since 2014, the organizers of CONNECT, a conference originating in France, have selected a different emerging destination each year – one that enables the aviation industry to discover new and exciting places. Previous editions were hosted in Girona, Spain (2025), Turin, Italy (2024), and Tangier, Morocco (2023). The forum has never before been held in Central Europe. The City of Lublin and the Lublin Voivodeship convinced the organizers with their unique tourism and business potential – key for airline passengers – as well as with the award-winning Lublin Conference Center, recognized with the prestigious Meetings Star certificate as one of Europe’s top congress venues.

Each year, key decision-makers gather in the chosen destination at the start of the year, ahead of the summer aviation season, to establish contacts and plan the growth of passenger traffic. In 2026, this meeting will take place in Lublin.

The region’s growing importance

The Lublin Voivodeship, with its strategic location and growing economic potential, is an attractive destination for the future development of aviation services. Hosting such an important industry forum at the Lublin Conference Center is evidence of the region’s growing significance as a business meeting destination, offering top-quality conference infrastructure.

The choice of the Lublin Voivodeship capital as the host of the CONNECT AVIATION 2026 Congress shows that our region is on the right course. This decision also reflects our historical traditions, as we are home to the renowned Air Force Academy in Dęblin. In this way, we are becoming a center of business, tourism, and culture. I hope this important and strategic event will strengthen the Lublin Voivodeship’s standing on the international stage,  says Jarosław Stawiarski, Marshal of the Lublin Voivodeship.

CONNECT is an independent aviation route development forum that provides airports and regions with a platform to expand their commercial cooperation with airlines of all types: national, regional, business, charter, and low-cost carriers.