What 2025 Taught Aviation — and the Questions We Can’t Ignore Going into 2026

1- Did we dodge a bullet this summer - or just delay the storm?

Summer 2025 looked calmer for aviation: fewer storms, fewer delays, smoother skies. According to EUROCONTROL, total ATFM (Air Traffic Flow Management) delays dropped by 25% in July compared to 2024, with weather-related en-route delays down by a third. By August, on-time performance improved by more than two percentage points, a rare moment of stability for flight operations. 

Operations are more stable for now. The real question isn’t what happened this year, but how do we respond when conditions shift again?  

Can we detect shifting weather conditions fast enough to act?  

Can we get the right information for pilots and crews using aviation weather forecasting tools - before it’s too late to act? 

In 2026, airlines won’t just need better forecasts. They’ll need better foresight - timely, actionable weather insights that help operations teams to anticipate, adapt, and act - before the weather does. 

2- If pilots and dispatchers aren’t aligned in real time, are we really in control?

This summer saw another surge in air travel, and a single disruption could still ripple across an entire network. A reroute. A missed slot. A sudden weather change. The real challenge isn’t the disruption itself - it’s how fast teams on the ground and in the air can align and act. 

Alignment is still missing. Cockpit, dispatch, ops control, ANSPs - all working in silos, across systems that don’t talk to each other. And when decisions lag, delays grow. 

Passengers, especially in the UK, have made it clear: on-time performance is what matters. In 2026, speed won’t just be about aircraft - it will be about people and systems working together in real time. 

That’s why we must focus on building shared situational awareness - giving pilots, dispatchers, and ops teams a single, live view so they can act faster and with confidence. 

Because speed of insight only matters if it leads to speed of action.  Airline operational efficiency depends on this alignment. 

3- Is our sustainability strategy measurable - or just marketable?

Sustainability remains at the top of the agenda, but the pressure is shifting. It's no longer enough to publish targets or support offsetting schemes. Airlines are being asked - by regulators, passengers, and shareholders - to show measurable progress, backed by real data. 

The reality today: 

• Access to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is still limited. 
• Infrastructure upgrades and fleet renewal take time. 
• Meanwhile, airlines are expected to show impact now, not years from now. 

In 2026, credibility will depend on visibility. The ability to measure what’s happening in the air and translate that into something regulators and the flying public can trust will define who’s leading, and who’s falling behind. 

That’s why we’re helping airlines bring operational, efficiency, and emissions data together - to turn sustainability ambition into action.

Looking ahead 

To me, the questions facing our industry aren’t just technical - they’re strategic, reflecting broader aviation industry trends. From weather volatility to operational decision-making and the pressure to prove sustainability, the stakes are rising.  

 At Airlines 2025, I will join peers at the event in London to explore how aviation can shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to airline disruption management. I look forward to sharing how SITA is helping airlines navigate what’s next - with clarity, speed, and measurable impact.