Aviation India Summit & Exhibition is pleased to announce that Willie Walsh, who took over as Chief Executive Officer of IndiGo in early August, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at Aviation India Summit 2026, being held in Delhi on 3–4 November 2026.
Walsh will be interviewed on stage by Aviation India Conference Director Mark Pilling in one of the Summit’s headline 1-to-1 sessions, which have become a key feature of the annual event, now entering its third year.
“By the time of Aviation India in November, Willie will be around 100 days into his time leading India’s largest carrier, so it will be the perfect opportunity to discuss what he’s been doing and what lies ahead,” said Pilling.
Four Decades of Aviation Leadership
Willie Walsh, who hails from Dublin, Ireland, brings over four decades of experience in the global aviation industry. During his career, he has held leadership roles across airline operations, strategy, business transformation, mergers and acquisitions, and international aviation policy.
Prior to joining IndiGo, Walsh served as Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), guiding the association through the COVID-19 pandemic.
He began his aviation career as a cadet pilot with Aer Lingus in 1979, later serving as the airline’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. He subsequently became Chief Executive Officer of British Airways before becoming the founding Chief Executive Officer of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s leading airline groups.
“Over the coming weeks, we will be confirming lots more keynote speakers to bring Aviation India’s theme of Opportunities / Challenges / Solutions: Finding the Right Growth Formula for Indian Aviation to life.
“Just as we saw last year, Aviation India will attract the most famous names from across India’s aviation ecosystem of airlines, airports, government, regulators and industry,” said Pilling.
Focus on India’s Aviation Growth
Mark Brown, CEO of Times Aerospace Events and organiser of Aviation India, said:
“We’re really pleased to have Willie joining us at Aviation India this year. As the event enters its third year, our focus is on continuing to grow the Summit while ensuring the quality and relevance of the content grows with it.
“India is one of the most exciting aviation markets in the world, but that growth also brings some very real challenges. We want Aviation India to bring together the people leading the industry to have meaningful conversations about those challenges, the opportunities ahead and, importantly, the solutions needed to support the market’s continued growth.”
Event Details
Aviation India Summit & Exhibition 2026
Date: 3–4 November 2026
Venue: JW Marriott Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi, India
Aviation India Summit builds on the successful formula of Times Aerospace Aviation Events, which began in Dubai in 2015 and subsequently expanded to Rwanda, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa.
Organiser
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