The German capital will host the CAPA Airline Leader Summit on April 23 and 24, 2026, one of the most important strategy meetings in the global aviation industry. Under the leadership of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), visitBerlin, and the Chambers of Industry and Commerce of Berlin and Cottbus, executives, network planners, and industry experts will gather in the region.
The conference focuses on the realignment of international flight networks and the economic framework for airlines in Europe. The organizers are using the forum specifically to convince decision-makers of the capabilities of the Berlin-Brandenburg region and to initiate new direct connections.
The regional economy is linking the summit to clear political demands. Representatives from the Berlin and Cottbus Chambers of Commerce and Industry emphasized beforehand that Germany's aviation sector urgently needs relief from high regulatory burdens and rising operating costs to avoid falling further behind in international competition. An expansion of long-haul connections is particularly essential for Berlin's economy to ensure global connectivity. The "Connectivity Board," active since 2025, unites the interests of tourism and business to encourage airlines to launch new routes from BER Airport through data-driven market analyses.
One concrete success of the acquisition efforts to date is the Air Canada service announced for summer 2026, which will connect Berlin and Montreal four times a week nonstop. Industry experts point out that the current geopolitical situation is forcing many airlines to reallocate their capacity, which presents a strategic opportunity for Berlin. While established hubs often reach their capacity limits, the Berlin-Brandenburg airport region offers potential for business development and investment in the immediate vicinity, which the summit aims to bring more prominently into the focus of international investors.
Further research reveals that the conference is taking place at a time when operational efficiency and the digitalization of flight operations are dominant themes. In addition to route expansion, new models of cooperation between airports and airlines are also being discussed in Berlin to accelerate handling processes. Aletta von Massenbach, CEO of BER, sees the meeting as a platform to sustainably enhance the perception of the capital region within the global aviation community. The goal remains the transformation of BER into a high-performing European hub that extends beyond the mere function of a capital city airport.