CAPA – Centre for Aviation (CAPA), part of Aviation Week Network , and the world’s most trusted source of market intelligence for the aviation and travel industry – is pleased to announce that Charleston, South Carolina, will host the prestigious CAPA Airline Leader Summit – Americas 2026 on 27-28 May 2026. This exclusive gathering will bring together hundreds of aviation executives, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from across North, Central, and South America to tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the aviation sector.
The CAPA Airline Leader Summit – Americas 2026 will serve as the definitive forum for examining regional market dynamics and competitive landscapes across the Americas. This strategic two-day event will explore the development of pan-regional partnerships, low-cost sector performance, and market liberalisation trends, whilst analysing how global sustainability, digitalisation, and evolving consumer behaviours are reshaping aviation throughout the region.
“Charleston represents an ideal location for bringing together aviation leaders from across the Americas,” said Claudia Kunz, Events Director at CAPA – Centre for Aviation. “This summit will provide attendees with unique access to industry-leading analysis and forward-looking insights that will inform strategic decision-making and foster collaborative approaches to building a more resilient and innovative aviation future across the Americas region.”
Elliott Summey, President and CEO of the Charleston Regional Aviation Authority expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are honoured and thrilled to welcome the 2026 CAPA Airline Leader Summit to Charleston. Hosting this prestigious event featuring aviation leaders, investors, policymakers, and industry experts from around the world reflects Charleston International Airport’s growing reputation as a leader in innovation, connectivity, and hospitality. We look forward to showcasing the Lowcountry’s world-class charm whilst facilitating discussions that will help shape the future of aviation across the Americas.”
Strategic Focus Areas
The summit will address critical industry challenges through executive-level discussions, data-driven presentations, and targeted networking sessions, with key focus areas including:
• Revenue diversification strategies as airlines pivot from traditional seat-selling to comprehensive revenue generation
• Next-generation partnerships exploring alliances beyond traditional codeshares
• Canadian aviation liberalisation proposals and their regional implications
Addressing Industry Crises
The summit will tackle three major industry challenges:
1. Supply chain disruption causing decade-long aircraft delivery delays and grounding 20% of fleets
2. Payment system inefficiencies costing airlines USD8.3 billion annually in processing fees
3. ATM modernisation urgent infrastructure requirements
As part of CAPA’s renowned global summit series, this exclusive event will deliver actionable intelligence essential to understanding the competitive landscape in the Americas and how the region is transitioning through emerging business strategies, regulatory changes, and infrastructure investment.
