ABNcast
A comprehensive exploration of the aviation industry, featuring in-depth interviews with leading executives, innovators, and policymakers. Covering a wide array of topics from aircraft maintenance and cabin interiors to air cargo logistics and digital transformation. This series provides valuable insights into the industry’s latest trends and challenges and delivers on-the-ground coverage from major industry events like the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), MRO Europe, and the Predictive Aircraft Maintenance (PAM) Conference.
Episodes
T2RL 2026 Preview
In this latest edition of ABNcast we look forward to this year’s T2RLEngage conference with Bert Craven, Deputy Chief Executive and President, Technology, and Ian Luck, President, Distribution at T2RL. ABN is once again a media partner for the event that will see around 600 delegates meet to discuss airline transition to modern retail, payments, and distribution.
Passenger Experience Conference 2026
In this special episode of ABNcast recorded at the Passenger Experience Conference in Hamburg, ABN's Lee Hayhurst spoke to three delegates about the key trends they are seeing in the world of airline passenger experience.
Airline & Travel Payments Summit 2026: Episode 2
Airline & Travel Payments Summit 2026: Episode 1
This episode of ABNcast was recorded at the annual Airline & Travel Payments Summit Mega Event in Dublin. We speak to Micheal Smith, from the conference organiser Ai Events, industry retail and technology expert Mark Lenehan, founder of Lenehan Consulting, and Risto Savolainen, founder of Maxa Group, that is pioneering new online payments technology.
Airline Global Conference 2026
Global OTA Trip.com hosted its first Airline Global Conference in Amsterdam this week, the first outside of its home territory in the Far East. ABNcast was invited along to hear the latest thinking on how airlines will partner and co-create technology platforms fir for the era of Artificial Intelligence and Agentic Commerce. In this episode we speak to Trip.com, Amadeus, IATA, and Lufthansa.
Aerospace Wales Expo 2026
Aviation Business News attended the Aerospace Wales Expo 2026 in Llandudno last week which showcased some of the country’s leading aerospace companies and the value they represent to the Welsh economy in terms of jobs and tax revenues. In this specially extended edition of ABNcast we speak to Rachael Blackburn, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Aerospace Wales, Dave Cooper, Managing Director
UATP Airline Distribution 2026 - That's A Wrap
In this episode of ABNcast we caught up with UATP president and chief executive Ralph Kaiser, and Chief Marketing Officer Wendy Ward, immediately after this year's conference concluded to take stock on what was a busy two days focussing on the future of payments and distribution as the world accelerates into a future dominated by AI and agentic technologies.
AIX 2026 Preview with Archana Dharni
With the Aircraft Interiors Expo poised to reach the landmark of 25 editions this year, ABN's Lee Hayhurst spoke to event direct Archana Dharni about the world's leading cabin trade show ahead of delegates convening in Hamburg for this year's event.
UATP Airline Distribution 2026: DAY TWO
Last week's UATP Airline Distribution conference in Barcelona saw 300 airline, payments, and technology delegates gather to discuss the future of distribution, retail, and airline ecommerce. In this Day 2 episode of ABNcast we talk to Affirm, Virgin Atlantic, Kyte and The 30 Percent Group about how airlines and their tech partners are navigating disruption and change in the era of AI and agentic c
UATP Airline Distribution 2026: DAY ONE
This week's UATP Airline Distribution conference in Barcelona saw 300 airline, payments, and technology delegates gather to discuss the future of distribution, retail, and airline ecommerce. In this Day 1 episode of ABNcast we talk to three innovators; split payments company Hands In, AI tech specialist Mobi and payment IT Pioneer Burbank Software.
MRO Middle East 2026: Aviation Network Group
Lee Hayhurst caught up with Ian Thompson, founder of events company Aviation Network Group to discuss the story behind ANG’s creation, why community matters in aviation, and how their exclusive events and discussions help members stay ahead of trends without sales pitches - just honest, high-value conversations.
PAM MENA, Dubai: Day 2 Wrap-up
In this episode, we bring together three forward-thinking leaders shaping the future of aviation and advanced manufacturing. Mahmoud El Sawah, Founder and CEO of AirNxt, Zoe O'Byrne, Sales Executive at Eirtrade Aviation, and Sean Simons, Co-Founder and CEO of Robot Toolworx, share insights on innovation, automation, sustainability, and the evolving aviation ecosystem. From next-generation air mobi
PAM MENA, Dubai: Day 1 Wrap-up
Lee Hayhurst brings all the action from Day One at the Inaugural PAM MENA conference in Dubai, with interviews from:Kamal Patel, Chief Growth Officer at AireXpertShakespear Nyamande, Head of Paperless Digitalisation Project at Jaramco,Buthaina Alghunaim, Airworthiness Duty Manager at Gulf Air
Trip.com with James Spalding Episode 3
In this third of a mini-series of three ABNcast episodes featuring James Spalding, Regional Director for Northern Europe & North America at Trip.com, ABN's Lee Hayhurst talks about what happens when things don't go according to plan. How is Trip.com able to assist its airline partners to cope and recover in situations of irregular operations by being that conduit between them and customers loo
Trip.com with James Spalding Episode 2
Lee Hayhurst, Editorial Director at Aviation Business News, sat down with James Spalding, Regional Director for Northern Europe & North America at Trip.com Group, at their London office for an insightful conversation on the evolving travel landscape. 🌍 From post-pandemic recovery to digital innovation and shifting traveller behaviours, James shares expert perspectives on what’s next for the gl
Trip.com with James Spalding Episode 1
The first of ABNcast's mini series with Trip.com.
Tampere: Finland's flourishing aviation sector with Chief Executive of Business, Harri Ojala
Finland topped the world rankings for being the happiest place on earth for the eighth year running in 2025, so what’s it like to live and work there in the country’s flourishing aviation sector? ABNcast finds out by talking to Harri Ojala, Chief Executive of Business Tampere, about the region’s focus on the aviation sector, and also its expertise in technology and innovation due to its historic c
PAM Europe 2025 Episode 3: British Airways, GE Aerospace & AIXI
At our PAM Europe, Dublin conference 2025, Lee Hayhurst catches up with: Stephen Rayner, PM Senior technical Engineer, British AirwaysHonor Powrie, Snr Director of Data Analytics, GE AerospaceCameron Byrd, CEO & Founder, AIXI Inc.Together, they explored the latest breakthroughs in predictive maintenance—from smarter data insights to more efficient fleet operations.
PAM Europe 2025 Episode 2: Boeing, Parker Aerospace & Vallair Aero
At our PAM Europe, Dublin conference 2025, Lee Hayhurst catches up with: Darren Macer, Principle Senior Technical Fellow, Maintenance Strategy and Vision, BoeingJeff Smith, Head of Digital Product Programs, Parker AerospacePascal Parant, Group Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Vallair Together, they explored the latest breakthroughs in predictive maintenance—from smarter data insights to mor
PAM Europe 2025 Episode 1: easyJet, Air France/KLM, Eirtrade Aviation
At our PAM Europe, Dublin conference in October 2025, Lee Hayhurst caught up with: Craig Lynch, Predictive Aircraft Maintenance at Easy Aude Fagour, Predictive Aircraft Engineer, Air France/KLM Conor O'Brien, Technical Director, EirTrade Aviation Together, they explored the latest breakthroughs in predictive maintenance—from smarter data insights to more efficient fleet operations. They also refle
DTX Group: A new player in the international aircraft maintenance sector
A new global player in the aircraft engineering and MRO sector has emerged with the divestment of Drayton Aerospace's non-Chinese interests. In this episode of ABNcast ABN's Lee Hayhurst speaks to founder and experienced aviation professional Hussein Lookmanjee about his ambitions for DTX, key trends he sees in the sector, the ongoing challenge for people and skills, and why he still gets excited
AI's impact on the aviation sector: Joey Smith, Cassel Salpeter
Joey Smith, director of aviation services at investment banking firm Cassel Salpeter spoke to ABN editorial director Lee Hayhurst in this latest edition of ABNcast about a report the firm has published looking at the impact that Artificial Intelligence is having on the sector. He also expresses his concerns about the looming threat of US tariffs by the Trump administration on prospects for the ind
Pilot and cabin crew recruitment: Stine Berg, AAP
The latest episode of ABNcast focuses on pilot and cabin crew recruitment with AAP's head of human resources Stine Berg. She tells ABN's Lee Hayhurst how the market for new recruits is changing, as is how people feel about roles in aviation, and what the sector must do to adapt to ensure it has the talent to thrive in the future. The edition airs as registrations close for this year's ABN Best Pla
AirChair: A conversation with Business Development Director, Sarah McOnie
Airchair was developed in 2007 to help airlines match a key regulatory and social requirement to a passenger’s needs.Lee Hayhurst sits down with Sarah McOnie to discuss the origins of the family business, the changing regulatory environment in this area, and their AirChair product which focuses on efficiency and passenger comfort.
The Wayfinding Centre: Talking mobility challenges with Frank O’Hagan, Chris White & Ken Fitzgibbon
On a visit to the Wayfinding Centre Dublin, Lee Hayhurst sat down with Frank O’Hagan, head of marketing at Altavair, Chris White, chief executive at Vision Ireland and Ken Fitzgibbon, chief executive at EirTrade Aviation to discuss how Wayfinding provides innovative and sustainable solutions for transport and mobility challenges experienced by people with a disability.
Deutsche Aircraft D328eco with Anastasija Visnakova
At Farnborough International Airshow 2024, Deutsche Aircraft announced the unveiling of the first fuselage cut for the inaugural test aircraft for the D328eco™ programme. The Farnborough International Airshow began on a momentous note for Deutsche Aircraft, as the OEM announced the initiation of the first fuselage cut for the D328eco test aircraft. This significant milestone sets the stage for the
Recommended
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe
Podcast Against Antisemitism
The FM Show - A Football Manager Podcast
RCOG
reading rocks
Why It Matters
The Actuary podcast
ShoutOut LGBT+ Radio
Creator Playbooks
Oceans: Life Under Water
