FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Global Leaders Converge in San Diego to Shape the Future of Flight
SAN DIEGO, CA – June 07, 2026 — The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today commences its highly anticipated AIAA Aviation Forum 2026, bringing together thousands of aerospace professionals to San Diego, California, from June 8 to 12. This five-day event will serve as a pivotal gathering for industry, government, and academia to explore and advance the latest in aviation business, research, development, and technology.
Market Context & Industry Trends
The aerospace industry is undergoing a transformative period, driven by rapid technological advancements and an urgent global focus on sustainability. Key trends shaping the sector include the accelerated integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, which are optimizing flight routes, enabling autonomous operations, and enhancing predictive maintenance. Sustainable aviation initiatives, such as the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, and advanced materials, are critical to achieving net-zero carbon emissions targets by 2050. Furthermore, the emergence of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), featuring electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, promises to revolutionize urban transportation and logistics. These innovations, coupled with a resilient commercial aircraft production outlook and growing demand for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, underscore a dynamic and evolving aerospace landscape.
Event Highlights
- Over 800 technical papers will be presented, covering more than 20 research topics, including fluid dynamics, applied aerodynamics, and multidisciplinary design optimization.
- Dedicated sessions will address the infrastructure challenges of an electrified and hydrogen-enabled future, alongside the ethical and cognitive impacts of automation and AI in aerospace.
- The forum will feature the Electric Propulsion and Advanced Technologies Symposium (EPATS) and the 5th Annual H2-Aero Symposium, focusing on electrified aircraft propulsion and hydrogen technologies.
Speakers & Conference Agenda
The AIAA Aviation Forum 2026, themed "From Velocity to Altitude – Accelerating Toward Tomorrow," will feature a robust agenda with plenary speakers from leading aviation companies, defense and civil government agencies, and top research universities. Notable speakers include Maurílio Albanese Novaes Jr. of Embraer, Renee Pasman of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Vice Admiral Doug “V8” Verissimo, Blake Scholl of Boom Supersonic, and Amy Pritchett of Pennsylvania State University, who will address topics ranging from electrification and sustainability to AI in aerospace and the future of supersonic flight. The program also includes a variety of technical courses and workshops led by expert instructors.
"The AIAA Aviation Forum 2026 is a critical convergence point for the aerospace community, where the brightest minds collaborate to tackle the industry's most pressing challenges and unlock its vast potential," said Clay Mowry, CEO of AIAA. "This year's theme underscores our collective commitment to accelerating technological advancements that will define the next era of flight, ensuring a future that is safer, more efficient, and sustainable."
Registration Information
The AIAA Aviation Forum targets a broad audience including researchers, engineers, policymakers, and industry professionals from commercial, military, and general aviation sectors. The event runs from June 8 to June 12, 2026, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, CA. Interested parties can find more information and register online at https://www.aiaa.org/aviation.
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About AIAA Aviation Forum
The AIAA Aviation Forum is the premier event for the global aviation community, providing a unique platform for interaction between researchers, system developers, product support personnel, managers, and business developers from industry, government, and academia. Organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the forum showcases recent innovations and achievements, highlights new initiatives, and addresses key issues to define clear roadmaps for future progress in aviation. Since its inception, the forum has grown to draw participants from around the globe, fostering collaboration across the integrated spectrum of aviation business, research, development, and technology.
Media Contact
Contact Name: Media Relations
Title: PR Department
Company: AIAA Aviation Forum Press
Office Website: https://www.aiaa.org/aviation