Farnborough International confirms headline speakers for SSWS

Image courtesy FIL

The conference-led event organised by Farnborough International Ltd (FIL) returns to bring together the global aviation community and lead the transformation toward a more sustainable industry.

This edition will deliver an informative programme of expert speakers with sessions addressing the most crucial challenges facing aviation today. For 2026, the summit is placing a strong emphasis on practical implementation, immediate regulatory and operational requirements, scaling next-generation technologies and investment pathways for sustainable aviation.

Programme highlights include Busting the Myth: SAF Market Realities in 2026, a fact-led panel examining near-term SAF supply, global market dynamics and what airlines can realistically procure between 2026 and 2027. Recognising that finance is critical to progress, investment also features prominently, with Overcoming Obstacles to Progress: Building Investable Business Cases for Sustainability bringing together investors, CFOs and industry leaders to explore how capital can be unlocked through viable, finance-ready pathways, including risk allocation, blended finance structures and value-stacking models.

Discussing the programme, Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive, Sustainable Aviation, said: “As the industry faces mounting pressure to meet net zero targets, this year’s discussions will assess collective progress since 2021 and issue a clear call to action for the coordinated policy, investment and system-wide transformation required before 2030. The agenda places a firm emphasis on practical delivery, moving beyond ambition to implementation by addressing regulatory readiness for upcoming mandates, the scalable availability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Next Generation Technologies.”

Sustainable Skies World Summit 2026 provides a platform for collaboration, innovation and concrete action toward achieving the industry’s NetZero goals. Industry stakeholders, policymakers and sustainability advocates will convene for two days at the award-winning Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in the UK to engage in important discussions and establish the direction for the next decade of aviation transformation.

Among the confirmed speakers for the 2026 summit are:
Nicholas Cadbury, CFO, IAG
Eddy Liegeois, Head of Unit, Aviation Policy, European Commission
Matt Ridley, Director of Sustainability and Innovation, Oneworld Alliance
Preeti Jain, Head of Net Zero Research and Programs, IATA
Tim Lederer, VP Regulatory Affairs & Fuel, Global Aviation, DHL
Nichola Bates, Founder & CEO, Xelerated Fifty
Mark Bentall, Head of R&T, Airbus
Marylin Bastin, Head of Aviation Sustainability, EUROCONTROL
Jonathon Counsell, Chair, Advisory Board, IAG
Kolin Schunck, Senior Manager, Strategic Innovation and Intelligence, Lufthansa Technik
James McMicking, Chief Strategy Officer, ZeroAvia
Jan Petter Steinland, Director, Strategic Analysis and Transformation, CAA Norway
Laurent Donceel, Director, Transport and Industrial Policy and Sustainability,  Hydrogen Europe
Cesar Pereira, Head of Sustainability, Commercial Aviation, Embraer
Anna Stukas, VP Strategic Partnerships, 1PointFive
Simon Meakins, Director, Advanced Air Mobility EAMEA, Bristow Group
Dr. Mai Bui, Director of Climate Science, Supercritical
Peter Albin, Carbon Offset Research Lead, Wood Mackenzie
Maxime Meijers, CEO, Estuaire
William McClintock, Senior Manager, Markets & Sustainability, IBA
David Herschell, Senior Specialist Fellow, Deactivation and Disposals, Defence Recycling and Disposals Team (DRDT), RAF

The Sustainable Skies World Summit 2026 event is free to attend: https://sustainableskies.co.uk