The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that Toshiyuki Onuma, President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), will deliver the opening address at the Wings of Change Europe (WOCE) event in Brussels, Belgium, on October 15, 2026. The event will bring together aviation industry leaders, government representatives and European policymakers to discuss regulatory and economic issues affecting the continent’s air transport sector. IATA said Onuma’s participation will add a global aviation perspective to discussions focused on building a more efficient and competitive European aviation market. His participation is also expected to underline the importance of coordination between global aviation institutions and regional policymakers.
Global Aviation Standards To Feature In Europe Conference
According to IATA, the participation of the ICAO Council President comes at a time when the aviation sector is facing a fragmented geopolitical environment and growing regulatory pressures. Thomas Reynaert, IATA’s Senior Vice President External Affairs, said global standards remain important to maintaining a competitive and connected air transport system. He also highlighted the wider economic and social contribution of aviation while pointing to concerns over regulatory burdens, rising costs, high oil prices and the pressure these factors place on airlines. The organization said these challenges could affect airlines’ ability to invest in connectivity and other areas of the sector.
Reynaert said the conference will provide an opportunity for industry, governments and international institutions to discuss ways to strengthen European air transport competitiveness. IATA noted that airlines operate with relatively thin margins while facing substantial costs, potentially limiting their ability to invest in expanded connectivity. The organization said maintaining effective competition between airlines remains important for passengers while ensuring that the industry can continue supporting jobs, economic activity and connectivity. The discussions will therefore examine how policy and regulatory approaches can support a sustainable and competitive aviation environment.
WOCE To Address Key European Aviation Issues
The Wings of Change Europe conference will feature panel discussions and presentations covering a range of issues affecting European aviation. Topics will include the changing geopolitical landscape, European aviation competitiveness and developments surrounding the Draghi report two years after its publication. Participants will also examine the economic outlook and the contribution of aviation to Europe’s economy. These discussions are expected to provide perspectives on both the current challenges facing the sector and its broader economic importance.
Other discussions will focus on EU policy priorities, passenger rights, airport legislation and aviation safety. These subjects are expected to bring together perspectives from regulators, policymakers, airlines, airports and other aviation stakeholders. The conference is intended to provide a platform for discussing regulatory priorities and the future direction of Europe’s air transport sector. The range of topics reflects the sector’s close connection with government policy, airport operations, consumer interests and international aviation standards.
European Policymakers And Aviation Leaders To Attend
The confirmed speaker lineup includes senior political and European regulatory officials such as Filip Cornelis, Director for Aviation at the European Commission’s DG MOVE; Jean Luc Crucke, Belgium’s Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition; and Tamar Ioseliani, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. Magda Kopczynska, Director-General of DG MOVE, and other senior European Commission officials will also participate in the event. Their participation will bring government and regulatory perspectives to discussions on the future development of European aviation.
Industry representatives include Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of Istanbul Grand Airport; Peter Gerber, CEO of Condor; Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); and Samer Majali, Vice Chairman and Board Designee CEO of Royal Jordanian. Pieter van Oord, President and CEO of Royal Schiphol Group, and Wouter Roels, President Europe of FedEx, are also among the confirmed industry speakers. The participation of airline, airport, aviation safety and logistics executives will provide industry perspectives alongside those of policymakers and regulators.
Event To Follow IATA World Sustainability Symposium
WOCE will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brussels City Hotel on October 15, 2026, bringing aviation stakeholders together in Brussels, a major center of European policymaking. The conference will follow directly after the IATA World Sustainability Symposium, which is scheduled for October 13-14 at the same venue. The two events will place aviation policy, sustainability and industry competitiveness among the key areas of discussion during the week. Holding the events consecutively at the same venue will provide an opportunity for aviation stakeholders to engage across several major industry issues.
IATA said the Wings of Change Europe program will continue to feature additional speakers and discussions as preparations for the event progress. The association represents more than 370 airlines, accounting for approximately 85 percent of global air traffic, giving its European policy discussions significance for the wider international aviation industry. Further speaker confirmations and registration information are available through IATA’s official event platform. The event is expected to serve as a forum for continued dialogue on the regulatory and policy issues shaping European air transport.
