Shaping a Resilient and Sustainable Future for Aviation: Reflections on 2025 and the Path to 2026

2025 has been another transformative year for the aviation industry, defined by continued growth, innovation, and a sharpened focus on sustainability. At Kognitive, we have been privileged to collaborate with a diverse group of clients and strategic partners, delivering cutting-edge aviation advisory services that address both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. By harnessing innovative digital platforms, advanced data analytics, and Whole Life Cycle solutions, we have helped our clients unlock new efficiencies, strengthen resilience, and elevate passenger experiences. Our strategic emphasis on optimising capital investment has ensured that projects deliver maximum value while aligning with long-term sustainability goals. 

Closer to home, 2025 has also seen renewed momentum around UK airport development, from Heathrow’s proposed third runway, to Luton Airport’s proposed expansion, Stansted Airport’s growth plans, and Gatwick Airport’s Northern runway project and investment in regional airports underway or planned, such as Manchester, Birmingham and Doncaster airports. These are welcome signals of ambition, yet the persistent lag between government approval and actual delivery continues to leave the UK playing catchup with

international competitors. This is not simply a matter of capacity; it is a question of resilience. Recent cyberattacks on airports have highlighted vulnerabilities that demand urgent investment in both digital protection and physical infrastructure. Without robust, futureproofed facilities, recovery from such disruptions will remain slow and costly, and the reputational damage from prolonged outages can be just as severe as the operational impact. Passengers and airlines alike expect reliability, and every hour of delay erodes confidence in the UK’s aviation sector. 

If the UK is to build a truly resilient airport sector, regional airports will have a role to play, but the Southeast airports must be given the latitude to grow, not only in capacity but in resilience, while balancing sustainable development and operations. The industry cannot afford to remain reactive; resilience and sustainability must be embedded into every aspect of airport planning and delivery. 

These ambitions must also be matched by progress in sustainable aviation fuels. While SAF adoption is gaining momentum, according to IATA, SAF currently accounts for less than 1% of total jet fuel demand, and scaling capacity will require significant investment in new facilities, feedstock innovation, and supportive policy frameworks. Without this, sustainability risks becoming aspiration rather than delivery. Ensuring a reliable, scalable supply of cleaner fuels will be critical to the UK’s and the global aviation future and will sit alongside digital transformation as one of the defining forces shaping the industry’s next chapter. 

Looking ahead to 2026, the industry is poised for further evolution, with digital transformation not only reshaping operations and investment planning, but also the way Kognitive engages with clients and how we do business. At the heart of this is our client centric data philosophy. Clients retain full ownership of their data, while we support them in organising, analysing, and applying it to inform decisions. This transparent, collaborative model ensures that digital transformation strengthens efficiency and clarity without creating dependency. By aligning growth with sustainability and championing transparency in data, we help shape an aviation future that is sustainable, innovative, and client empowered.  

We extend our sincere thanks to all our clients and partners for their ongoing trust and collaboration. Season’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year — we look forward to reaching new heights together in 2026.