Air Law Conference 2026: Rome hosts international debate on the future of air transport
The XIII Air Law Conference gets under way today in Rome, bringing together institutions, aviation authorities, universities and leading industry stakeholders for a two-day event at the Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & SPA. The Conference will focus on the regulatory, technological and geopolitical developments currently shaping the aviation sector.
The event is organised by Pierallini Studio Legale in cooperation with McGill University, Luiss University and ENAC.
Over the years, the Conference has become one of the leading European and international forums for discussion on air transport law, gathering representatives of institutions, aviation authorities, international organisations, universities, airlines, airports, manufacturers, lessors, insurers and legal professionals specialised in aviation.
The 2026 edition will address some of the most strategic issues currently facing the industry, including supply chain disruption and aircraft shortages, the impact of artificial intelligence on aviation, geopolitical instability, passenger protection, accessibility and the evolution of ESG in air transport.
“The Air Law Conference,” said Laura Pierallini, Name Partner of Pierallini Studio Legale and General Moderator of the event, “is an important opportunity for dialogue between institutions, industry and academia on the transformations that are reshaping air transport. Its aim is to provide a legal and broader industry perspective on the main issues affecting the sector, in an increasingly complex and interconnected international environment.”
The programme
The Conference will open tomorrow with institutional remarks by Aristide Police, Dean of the Luiss School of Law and Professor of Administrative Law at Luiss University, and Laura Pierallini.
The first session will focus on supply chain issues and aircraft shortages, with particular attention to defaults and the main disputes currently affecting the sector. This will be followed by a session on the Cape Town Convention and its increasingly central role in the international aviation industry.
Artificial intelligence in aviation will also be a key topic, with discussions addressing regulation, emerging liability issues and insurance implications, with contributions from experts from the aviation industry, academia, the legal profession and the insurance sector.
The second day, 19 June, will open with remarks by Pierluigi Di Palma, President of ENAC, and Laura Pierallini.
The first panel will address the main legal and regulatory challenges facing air transport, bringing together representatives of ICAO, the European Commission, ENAC, EASA and industry associations. It will be followed by a keynote speech by Salvatore Sciacchitano, former President of ICAO.
The following session will examine the impact of geopolitics on aviation, focusing on the legal challenges and commercial opportunities arising from current international tensions, as well as on border digitalisation and the evolution of API programmes.
In the afternoon, a panel on consumer protection will discuss the revision of Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, accessibility in air transport and the review of Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006, also drawing comparisons with non-EU jurisdictions.
The Conference will conclude with a session on the evolution of ESG in the aviation sector, focusing on the outlook for 2026 and on the role of sustainability in the strategies of airlines, airports, operators and specialised advisers.
The XIII Air Law Conference therefore confirms its role as a privileged observatory on the regulatory, technological and geopolitical developments that are redefining the future of air transport.
Accreditation and registration
The event has been accredited by the Rome Bar Association and will award 10 professional training credits.
