The CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific will be hosted in Adelaide in 2026 and 2028, the South Australian Government has confirmed.
The two-day summit will bring hundreds of aviation industry leaders and key decision makers from across the Asia Pacific to the State to explore the key strategic issues facing airlines, airports, and the wider travel industry in the region.
The announcement was made at the 2025 summit in Cairns with representatives from the South Australian Tourism Commission, Adelaide Airport Limited, and Business Events Adelaide.
CAPA – Centre for Aviation (CAPA), part of Aviation Week Network, is the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services covering worldwide developments.
“Locking in the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific for not one, but two years, is a huge coup for South Australia, and a reflection of our global reputation as an industry leader in this important sector,” said SA Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison.
“The Summit put South Australia at the forefront of the minds of key aviation decision makers, benefiting the many industries and jobs that rely on strong airline access, particularly for tourism, international education, trade, defence, and resources.
“I have no doubt the hundreds of aviation leaders will be impressed by our welcoming hospitality and diverse tourism offerings, and be inspired to tell the world that South Australia is worth investing in.”
The summit will bring together strategic insight and expertise from the highest levels of the aviation, tourism and hospitality industries. Attendees of past editions include major airlines and airports, global travel industry suppliers, international technology firms, high level government officials across multiple sectors, leasing firms, finance companies and more.
“We are delighted to announce Adelaide as our host city for the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific in both 2026 and 2028. Following the tremendous success of our 2022 summit in Adelaide, this strategic partnership reflects our confidence in Adelaide’s growing significance as an aviation hub and its exceptional capabilities in hosting world-class business events,” said Events Director CAPA – Centre for Aviation, Claudia Kunz.
“The city’s combination of outstanding infrastructure, accessibility, and vibrant culture makes it the perfect backdrop for the high-level industry discussions that define our summits.
“We look forward to bringing hundreds of global aviation and tourism leaders to South Australia, where they’ll experience firsthand the innovation and hospitality that Adelaide offers. This multi-year commitment underscores CAPA’s dedication to fostering meaningful industry connections in destinations that represent the future of aviation in our region.”
South Australia last held the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in 2022, which attracted hundreds of senior airline executives, airports, state and national tourism organisations, corporate travel executives and suppliers.
“Adelaide is currently experiencing strong passenger growth, particularly for international services. Our excellent Team Adelaide relationships with airlines and city-pair airports are critical to this success. Events such as this are incredibly important in building and maintaining those relationships,” said Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox.
“Having the eyes of the global aviation market on Adelaide provides us with an invaluable opportunity to highlight South Australia as a leading tourism and business events destination.”
