INDIA. The early bird registration deadline for the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards has been extended to 1 June, with further high-profile speakers added to the conference programme ahead of the event in Bengaluru on 7-8 July.
This decision reflects the ongoing uncertainty and operational challenges stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. The situation has disrupted key aviation routes, driven up fuel costs and created significant complications for international travel planning among industry professionals worldwide.
In this environment, many organisations are adopting a more cautious approach to international travel commitments.
By extending the Early Bird registration, FAB 2026 seeks to provide greater flexibility and support to the industry, enabling continued collaboration and knowledge-sharing at a time when innovation in airport food & beverage and hospitality experiences remains critically important.
Hosted this year by Bangalore International Airport Limited, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event will bring together senior executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as other business partners from around the world.
Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the highly anticipated annual industry gathering will culminate in the FAB Awards Ceremony during the Gala Dinner on 8 July, with the FAB Superstars winners to be unveiled earlier during the conference.
Aena Brasil Chief Commercial Officer Juan José Sánchez is among the latest confirmed speakers for this year’s conference, where he will discuss ‘Creating a World-Class F&B and Premium Experience in a Heritage Airport’.
He oversees commercial strategy across a 17-airport portfolio, including São Paulo Congonhas, and brings over 18 years of experience in airport development, including senior roles at Lima Airport and Fraport’s Brazilian operations.
Sánchez has played a key role in shaping airport commercial ecosystems across South America, spanning F&B, travel retail, advertising and wider non-aeronautical revenue streams.
He is currently preparing for the integration of Rio de Janeiro-Galeão into the Aena network.
The panel on ‘Deliver Unforgettable Airport Gastronomy’ will be strengthened by the participation of BTA Author & Gastronomy Researcher Ömür Akkor, BTA CEO Baha Bülbül and Fraport TAV Antalya Airport General Manager Dr Frank Quante.
Akkor is a Turkish chef, author and cultural researcher recognised for introducing the culinary heritage of Anatolia to a global audience. He has built a multidisciplinary career spanning gastronomy, history and academia, and has explored more than 12,000 years of Anatolian food culture.
Author of over 30 books, including Ottoman Cuisine and The Oldest Dishes of Anatolia, he is a multiple Gourmand World Cookbook Award winner, Founder of the Anatolian Gastronomy Foundation, and a familiar face on BBC and CNN with nearly 500 TV episodes to his name.
He has collaborated with Harvard, Yale, the University of Liverpool and the University of Milan, worked in over 40 countries, and supports local producers through community-focused social impact initiatives.
As Chief Executive Officer of BTA, Bülbül has played an important role in shaping the company’s evolution into a leading global player in travel catering and hospitality over more than two decades.
Since joining BTA in 1999, he has held senior leadership roles across cost control, business development, operations and international expansion, including serving as General Manager of BTA Seaways and later Chief Operating Officer. Since becoming CEO in 2023, Bülbül has focused on driving global growth, digitalisation and sustainability across the business.
Dr Quante is an internationally experienced airport executive with a cross-sector background spanning energy, telecommunications, IT and aviation, and C-level roles across Germany, Bulgaria and Türkiye.
Since 2025, he has been General Manager of Fraport TAV Antalya Airport, overseeing one of Türkiye’s key aviation hubs. He previously joined Fraport in 2020 as CEO of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management, where he was responsible for Burgas and Varna airports in Bulgaria.
The initial line-up of distinguished speakers has been previously announced.
As reported, Alina Alam, Founder & CEO of Mitti Café in India, will deliver a keynote address. At the FAB event in Ontario, California in 2024, Alam and Bangalore International Airport Limited were awarded the FAB Humanitarian Award for their joint initiative in bringing Mitti Café to the airport world. She was also named one of The Moodie Davitt Report’s People of the Year for 2024.
Mitti Café is part of Mitti Social Services Foundation, an extraordinary social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by providing them with opportunities for economic independence and dignity.
Mitti Social Services Foundation creates employment by hiring and training team members in its cafés across airports and other public institutions. The first Mitti Café was opened at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, a breakthrough that has led to other airport openings, including more at the Bengaluru gateway.
For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Head of Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com. 
