Aviation in 2025: The Year That Reset Airport Strategy — And What’s Coming in 2026

2025 pushed the aviation system harder than expected — record demand, rapid technology adoption, shifting federal funding, and financial turbulence across several carriers.

In this five-minute end-of-year breakdown, host Joe Petrie looks back at the major events that shaped airport strategy this year and offers bold predictions for what’s ahead in 2026. From autonomous airfield operations to the next generation of terminal projects, regulatory changes, and a more volatile airline marketplace, this episode gives airport executives, consultants, and planners a clear view of the trends that will define the next 12 months.