Unless otherwise specified, all events will take place in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

Breakfast, lunch and breaks are included in the conference registration fee.

Sunday  |  Monday  |  Tuesday  |  Wednesday

Sunday, March 1, 2026

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Location: Indigo Foyer

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

International Operators Committee Welcome

Join members of the NBAA International Operators Committee for the kickoff of the 2026 NBAA International Operators Conference (IOC2026).

8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Day One Keynote – Preparation in Practice: Lessons from an Atlantic Crossing Gone Wrong

On Oct. 10, 2009, a Piaggio P.180 Avanti was lost during an attempted emergency landing on Greenland’s ice cap. This accident illustrates how small errors can accumulate until recovery is impossible. Five-time Master Certified Flight Instructor Neil Singer reviews this case in detail, highlighting their root causes and the mindset shifts that can prevent similar outcomes. Be better prepared for emergencies and learn to recognize warning signs earlier. Get strategies to improve readiness and decision-making under pressure.

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Morning Weather Brief

Take a deep look at aviation weather in the regions that will be covered throughout the day. The session helps aviation professionals transform weather planning from a chore into a valued skill. Whether you’re managing schedules or flying the aircraft, learn to interpret weather data quickly to keep operations timely and safe.

9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Scholarship Awards and Recognition

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Morning Break

Location: Indigo Foyer

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Regional Review – World Cup Surge: Ops Planning Across North America

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring millions of soccer fans and a tidal wave of flights across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Join this session to prepare for the surge. The session will cover slot congestion in Seattle, Vancouver and Guadalajara, as well as border-crossing complexities. Learn to optimize flight plans, anticipate bottlenecks and adapt to regional policies. Experts will share best practices for multiple countries, from customs procedures to ground handling. Get tips from pilots, schedulers and handlers to ride the wave without disruption.

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Regional Review – Heading East: Planning Successful Trips to Asia

Asia’s aviation landscape is transforming rapidly, with new infrastructure, regulatory changes and evolving business environments. This session covers key regions including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia. Experts will share updates on hot topics, from slot restrictions to customs procedures, and provide practical tips for navigating this busy and fast-growing region. You will leave ready for smooth, successful missions across Asia.

11:45 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.

Sponsor Session

11:55 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Lunch

Location: Indigo Ballroom A

Sponsor

World Fuel

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

The Confident Shortcut: When Operational Habits Bypass Good Judgment

Join us on a journey that will lead to developing a culture of continuous improvement, which will mitigate the pitfalls of complacency that can lead to violations, errors, accidents and unsafe operations. Discover how mentoring less experienced pilots while listening and incorporating their feedback is an important part of the process. Experience some of the more common problems that evolve from complacency and the effects that they can cause. Listen to how the crew reacts to these issues and how they can mitigate them. Walk away with ideas of how you can identify and mitigate issues caused by complacency in your operation.

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Regional Review – Oceania Operations: From Coral Coasts to Cloud Layers

This session covers how to operate safely in the most vast and airport-sparse region in the world. Explore the unique challenges of flying in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Southern Pacific Islands. Experts will discuss weather impacts, determining equal time point (ETP) and extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) alternates; disinsection requirements; and logistical concerns, such as parking and repositioning. The session will also cover the latest communication, navigation and surveillance mandates. Leave equipped to plan safer, more efficient missions across the Pacific.

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Afternoon Break

Location: Indigo Foyer

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Navigating Environmental Regulations in Business Aviation

Sustainability is no longer a side issue in aviation – it’s reshaping how business aircraft operators plan, report and fly. With new regulations emerging across jurisdictions, operators can trigger environmental obligations simply by crossing borders. This session will unpack the global sustainability policies most relevant to business aviation, including ReFuelEU, SAF mandates, emissions trading schemes (EU ETS, UK ETS), CORSIA, California’s climate disclosure laws, and new passenger levies. Whether you’re operating under Part 91, 91K or 135, these rules carry real implications for compliance, cost and reputation. Designed for flight department leaders, this session will provide practical insights into current and emerging mandates, corporate sustainability disclosures, and industry accreditations. Attendees will leave better equipped to avoid penalties, meet reporting requirements and communicate sustainability strategies within their organizations.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Customs Clarity: Preparing for Seamless International Travel

Customs is the pivotal start and finish line for every international journey. Join this must-attend session to gain vital insights from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and leaders who will provide valuable updates on customs preparation, responsibilities and key pre-trip intricacies. Dive into the processes and procedures for both U.S. outbound and inbound travel. Be prepared, be complete, be accurate and set the stage for a seamless departure and arrival.

5:00 p.m. – 5:05 p.m.

Daily Debrief

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Chairman’s Reception and Networking Event on the USS Midway

Location: USS Midway Museum

Monday, March 2, 2026

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Location: Indigo Foyer

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Day Two Keynote – The New Rules of Resilience in Aviation: A Wellness System for the People Who Power High-Stakes Aviation

As aviation grows more complex and more scrutinized, the gap between technical systems and human support continues to widen. This session presents a modern resilience model built for international aviation professionals, offering a grounded approach to mental wellness that protects performance, professionalism and safety. Participants will walk away with insight into why traditional wellness approaches fall short in aviation, a resilience protocol aligned with real-world aviation demands, and increased confidence in sustaining performance without burning out.

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Monday Morning Weather Brief

Take a deep look at aviation weather in the regions that will be covered throughout the day. The session helps aviation professionals transform weather planning from a chore into a valued skill. Whether you’re managing schedules or flying the aircraft, learn to interpret weather data quickly to keep operations timely and safe.

8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Regional Review – Oceanic Updates: Navigating NAT, PAC and IOR

Oceanic clearances demand precision. This session reviews the latest updates for key oceanic airspace: the North Atlantic (NAT), the Pacific (PAC) and Indian Ocean (IOR) regions. Review common flight crew errors, best practices to avoid them and strategies to strengthen compliance. The session will also cover Oceanic Clearance Procedures for the NAT and gross navigational errors (GNEs). Whether you are crossing the Atlantic or Pacific, get the latest updates to improve operational performance.

9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Morning Break

Location: Indigo Foyer

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Regional Review: South America and the Caribbean

Central and South America is a complex operating environment, as is the Caribbean. Hear directly from experts who live and fly in these regions. Learn about challenges at key airports, planning technical stops, Brazil’s flight plan filing procedures, upcoming regional events and seasonal slot or parking restrictions across the Caribbean. Discover meteorological and terrain factors that can complicate operations. You will leave with a deeper understanding of the Western Hemisphere and the confidence to plan successful missions across its diverse environments.

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Regional Review – Flying Smart in Africa: Best Practices for Business Jet Operations

Africa presents unique challenges for business aviation, from varying airport infrastructure to regulatory differences between countries. The session offers practical strategies to plan effectively, manage logistics and stay compliant. Learn how to build strong local relationships, keep costs under control and prioritize safety every step of the way. Whether you’re preparing for your first visit to Africa or refining established practices, you will get actionable insights for a smoother, safer trip.

12:15 p.m. – 12:25 p.m.

Sponsor Session

12:25 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Lunch

Location: Indigo Ballroom A

Sponsor

Bombardier

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Global Compliance: Staying Ahead of Regulatory Change

Regulatory requirements are constantly evolving, and compliance can feel like a moving target. This session provides a global overview of compliance resources and practical approaches to meeting expectations. A panel of experts will discuss success factors for LOA applications: what regulators expect, common pitfalls, and how flight departments and third-party providers can collaborate for faster, cleaner approvals. Understand how to stay aligned with international standards and avoid costly delays in approvals or operations.

2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Mental Health: Building Resilience in Your Operation

International operations is a demanding job. How can you build psychological resilience throughout your aviation team, before mental health problems arise? Organizational leadership plays a key role in strengthening your team. Just as it is best practice in the military, leaders have a duty to the health of their people. Learn how to foster resilience, encourage open dialogue and help keep every member of your team at their best.

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon Break

Location: Indigo Foyer

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Travel Security Roundtable: Protecting Crews and Passengers

Security risks are evolving, both physical and digital. In this live, interactive roundtable, seasoned specialists with decades of experience will share insights and answer audience questions. Topics include personal safety, electronic security and organizational risk management. You will hear how to mitigate threats at the individual, team and department levels. This open discussion is a rare opportunity to learn from experts and peers how to safeguard your missions abroad.

5:00 p.m. – 5:05 p.m.

Daily Debrief

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Location: Indigo Foyer

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

Tuesday Morning Weather Brief

Take a deep look at aviation weather in the regions that will be covered throughout the day. The session helps aviation professionals transform weather planning from a chore into a valued skill. Whether you’re managing schedules or flying the aircraft, learn to interpret weather data quickly to keep operations timely and safe.

8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

IBAC Update

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

SAR Preparedness: Rescue Readiness for Flight Departments

Take your over-water planning to the next level with this Coast Guard-led session on search and rescue (SAR) operations. U.S. Coast Guard and Navy training personnel share experiences from real rescue missions. Explore blue-water preparedness, international coordination and emergency planning. These hands-on scenarios will help you see the big picture for over-water risks, while the experts offer take-away tools to prepare your entire aviation team. You will take away insights to add layers of safety to every overseas mission.

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Morning Break

Location: Indigo Foyer

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Avionics and AI: Trust but Verify

The latest advances in automation can make flying safer – but the fundamentals still apply. This session explores real-world experiences with avionics and AI, highlighting what works, what does not and where crews must remain vigilant. Panelists will discuss the latest enhancements to the flight management system (FMS) and guided visual approach (GVA) systems, sharing stories of failure and success. You will understand how to leverage technology effectively, while maintaining the critical judgment to operate safely.

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Regional Review: UK, Europe and “the Stans”

Europe, the United Kingdom and Central Asia (“the Stans”) present diverse operational landscapes. Each is shaped by evolving regulations, customs procedures and geopolitical developments. This session provides an overview of airspace management, airport facilities and policy changes impacting business aviation. Experts will share updates on current events, helping you anticipate travel challenges. Get equipped to effectively navigate these dynamic regions and stay ahead of the evolving landscape.

11:45 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.

Sponsor Session

11:55 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Lunch

Location: Indigo Ballroom A

1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Digital Defense: Cybersecurity in Aviation

Cyber threats are escalating, and aviation is not immune. Join a cybersecurity expert on a frightening but electrifying journey through the realm of digital threats. Brace yourself for an immersive experience, with a focus on the ways AI is changing cybersecurity: the good, the bad and the ugly. You will unravel various types of risks and discover powerful mitigations. Elevate your awareness, empower your crew and make passengers cyber-safe in this eye-opening and actionable tour of digital defense.

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Real-World Emergency Response: International Crises

Emergency response planning (ERP) often looks neat on paper, but reality is usually far messier. This session examines case studies where operators faced geopolitical upheaval, sudden airspace closures, natural disasters, medical emergencies and security incidents. Explore the gap between what actually happened vs. what was planned, with special attention to “stuck” scenarios where standard protocols failed. Through scenario planning and peer discussions, you will pressure-test your ERP against unpredictable challenges. Learn how to reveal vulnerabilities before they become operational problems and learn to adapt quickly under pressure.

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Afternoon Break

Location: Indigo Foyer

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Regional Review: India and the Middle East

Business aviation in India and the Middle East is evolving rapidly, with new regulations, shifting airspace dynamics and heightened security concerns. This session provides a comprehensive overview for operating in these regions. Whether you’re planning your first trip or refining existing operations, this session offers guidance for navigating one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Ask the Experts: Mastering International Airspace

Close out the conference with a dynamic session designed to sharpen your expertise in international operations. Our panel of seasoned professionals will tackle the toughest challenges: routing complexities, regulatory hurdles and operational nuances. This is not just a recap, it is your chance to ask questions, clarify uncertainties and gain insider tips before heading back to the skies. With a focus on real-world solutions, this session ensures you leave IOC2026 with fresh insights, renewed confidence and a clearer path to operational mastery.

5:00 p.m. – 5:05 p.m.

Conference Wrap-Up and IOC2027 Announcement

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

NBAA PDP Course: Aviation Security and Awareness Training

Location: Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Indigo 202A

Facilitator: Kristopher Cannon, Aviation Secure, Inc.

This comprehensive PDP course, held in conjunction with IOC2026, will provide you and your flight department with the relevant tools you need to be secure – on the road, at your base and in your personal lives. Learn where security breaches have occurred with other flight departments and how to prepare yourself to avoid similar consequences.

The course will explore active shooter survival, enhanced hotel security, rideshare vulnerabilities, personal protection and awareness, security culture, policies and more.

This course fulfills NBAA PDP Objectives Operations Ops7 and Ops9.

This course is eligible for CAM application and recertification credit.

An additional fee is required to register for PDP courses.

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