More than 140 participants gathered in Vantaa, Finland, for the 119th FAI General Conference, held from 22 to 24 October 2025. The Conference brought together representatives of 45 FAI Members and 12 Commissions, and was hosted by the Finnish Aeronautical Association.

• Pictures

This year’s edition inaugurated the new FAI Forum, themed “Working Better Together”, designed to foster collaboration and the exchange of expertise. Participants benefited from the insights of leading experts, shared their own experiences on key topics such as safety, innovation, and airspace, and joined lively round-table discussions, addressing important subjects such as women in air sports.

FAI President Greg Principato said:

“I would like to thank the Finnish Aeronautical Federation for their hard work in organising such a successful event. With this refreshed format, we completed the Conference Sessions efficiently and had the opportunity to discuss topics of shared interest in a more informal and interactive way. The goal is for participants to come to the Conference to contribute to the FAI’s progress as a Federation, while gaining valuable knowledge and strengthening connections across Members and Commissions.

"I am also pleased to welcome our new Members to the FAI family. Their inclusion reflects the continued expansion and vitality of air sports around the world. FAI grows when air sports grow."

FAI Forum Session "Women in Air Sports: Building a Supportive Community"

The Conference opened on 22 October with the FAI Awards Ceremony, celebrating the exceptional men and women whose passion and commitment have made an outstanding contribution to the air sports.

Highlights

The full minutes of the Conference will be available at the beginning of 2026.

• Creation of the International Day of Air Sports, to be celebrated on 14 October
• Creation of an athletes committee
• 2026 Budget approved

Membership

New FAI members welcomed:

• GER - Parachuting German Federation (Associate Member)
• KGZ - Federation of Skydiving and Aeronautics named after T.B.Sydykov the Kyrgyz Republic Public Foundation (Associate Member)
• MEX - Asociacion de Vuelo Libre de Mexico (Associate Member)
• MEX- Federation of Skydiving Mexico (Associate Member)

Temporary membership for 2026 granted for:

• PAK - Pakistan Air Sports Federation

Next Conferences

• The 120th General Conference 2026 will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland (14-16 October 2026)
• Bids are open for the 121th General Conference 2027

Companions of Honour

• Jia BING (CHN)
• Joy ROA (PHI)
• Sandy PIMENOFF (FIN)

Photo credit: SIL