British Aviation Group – championing UK aviation at home and overseas
Tim Walder
2026 has been a year of growing momentum for the British Aviation Group (BAG), with its members showcasing the depth of UK aviation expertise at home and on the international stage. As BAG continues to connect its network with rapidly growing markets, clients and opportunities, the year will culminate in a major gathering of the aviation community at AIR in London on 29/30 September, writes BAG chair Tim Walder .
BAG achievements so far in 2026
The British Aviation Group's mission is to connect the world’s airport and aviation clients with the breadth, depth and expertise of the UK supply chain.
As the leading representative trade body for British companies involved in aviation, airport development and operations, BAG brings together organisations from across the aviation ecosystem, creating a powerful platform to showcase UK capability, build international relationships, share market intelligence and unlock new opportunities for our members.
And 2026 is already proving to be a year of real momentum.
From major international exhibitions and high-level stakeholder engagement to member seminars, market briefings and strategic discussions, BAG has continued to champion UK aviation excellence – both at home and around the world.
image: Shutterstock
Connecting aviation and rail at Interchange
In March, BAG supported AIR’s sister event Interchange in Manchester, with a dedicated BAG Stand and a joint partner panel session with the Railway Industry Association (RIA). The session explored how transport hubs can deliver more seamless connectivity between airports and rail, focusing on the practical realities of planning, designing and delivering better access to airports. It was a valuable opportunity for BAG members, Board colleagues and partners to share experience and demonstrate why integrated, sustainable transport infrastructure is increasingly important to the future success of our airports.
Taking UK aviation to the world at PTE World 2026
One of the standout moments of the year was PTE World 2026, where 36 BAG member companies exhibited. The BAG Stand became a vibrant hub for international engagement – showcasing the innovation, expertise and export capability of the UK aviation supply chain and demonstrating the strength of BAG as a connected community. BAG also helped coordinate a programme of high-profile activity throughout the event, bringing together government, airport leaders, international delegations and industry experts. A particular highlight was the UK Welcome Zone, developed in collaboration with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), formerly DBT. Bringing together the GREAT campaign, BAG and UK airports, the Zone provided a highly visible platform for promoting the UK’s aviation and airport capabilities and attracted strong interest throughout the exhibition. PTE also provided an opportunity for BAG to engage with airport and aviation leaders from Morocco, Poland, Ethiopia, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, India and many other markets. These conversations reinforced the view that the UK aviation supply chain has the capability, experience, and collaborative approach to be a trusted partner in delivering major airport programmes worldwide. BAG’s participation in a cross-European trade association meeting also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in strengthening aviation capability, resilience and the global supply chain.
Bringing the industry together at the BAG Summer Seminar
In June, the BAG Summer Seminar, hosted by Pinsent Masons, brought members and guests together in London for an afternoon of insight, debate and networking. Speakers from Port Polska and London Gatwick provided valuable perspectives on priority markets, airport investment and the wider issues shaping the international aviation sector. A panel discussion then explored the impact of the crisis in the Middle East on global aviation and what this could mean for the UK, drawing perspectives from across airports, airlines, consultancy and aviation analysis. These conversations are at the heart of what BAG does: bringing together different perspectives, challenging thinking and helping our members understand where the opportunities – and risks – may lie.
Showcasing UK expertise at Farnborough
July saw BAG continue the momentum at Farnborough International Airshow 2026. Throughout the week, the BAG team and Board members used the Airshow to strengthen international relationships, showcase UK airport infrastructure expertise and identify opportunities for collaboration between BAG members. With international delegations, airport leaders, government representatives and industry stakeholders all coming together, Farnborough provided an important platform to demonstrate the breadth of UK capability. It also reinforced the importance of working collectively. No single organisation can deliver the increasingly complex airport programmes of the future alone. The combination of UK expertise across planning, design, engineering, technology, construction, operations, consultancy and professional services is a major competitive advantage.
Creating the airports of the future – together
Taken together, these activities demonstrate what BAG is all about. Creating the airports of the future through the power of our network. Whether we are supporting members at major international events, convening informed discussions on the challenges facing our sector, connecting UK companies with overseas decision-makers or helping members identify new markets, our objective remains the same:
To champion the UK aviation supply chain and create practical opportunities for our members to grow, collaborate and succeed at home and internationally
The strength of BAG lies in its members – with almost 250 organisations bringing together an extraordinary depth of knowledge, experience and capability. And as the global aviation sector enters a period of significant investment, transformation and change, there has perhaps never been a more important time for the UK aviation community to work together, think internationally and demonstrate what we can achieve as one connected industry.
That is the power of BAG. And there is much more to come…
AIR provides a fitting opportunity to bring this momentum together. Produced by Meetings of Minds in partnership with the British Aviation Group (BAG), the event will bring together the people and organisations shaping the future of aviation infrastructure, with the programme culminating in the BAG Annual Dinner in central London. For the BAG membership, the dinner will provide an opportunity to celebrate a momentous year – and to look ahead to the opportunities for UK aviation in the years to come.
AIR is free to attend and takes place in London on 29/30 September
The BAG Annual Dinner takes place at the Brewery in Central London on the evening of 30 September.
Already a BAG member? Don’t forget to book to attend the BAG Annual Dinner!
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