Aviation preparedness insights to shape Intersec 2026 summit agenda

Aviation crisis leadership in focus at Intersec 2026

Intersec has confirmed that aviation crisis leadership will be a core part of the International Security Leaders’ Summit taking place from 12–14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Organisers said the programme will focus on how leaders across government, aviation and national infrastructure are adapting their decision-making, communication and coordination practices amid operational disruption.

The update follows April 2024’s record rainfall in the UAE, which the National Centre of Meteorology described as the heaviest since climate data records began in 1949.

According to Intersec, the rainfall event demonstrated the scale of planning and cross-agency cooperation required to maintain continuity in complex environments.

The summit will examine how recent events continue to influence leadership approaches across critical infrastructure.

Aviation lessons from April 2024 flooding

Intersec highlighted insights from David Warham, Head of Response and Recovery Planning at Dubai Airports, whose team managed the impacts of the rainfall event.

Warham said: “Effective crisis leadership is defined by calm decision-making, clarity of communication, and credible coordination under pressure.

“In aviation, where seconds matter and stakeholders span multiple agencies, leaders must translate uncertainty into direction.”

He noted that preparation underpins leadership decisions in high-pressure situations.

Warham added: “But effective leadership in a crisis begins long before the event itself.

“It’s built on preparedness, planning, and the discipline of regular scenario testing.

“True crisis leadership means projecting calm, inspiring trust, and making informed decisions even when information is incomplete.”

Intersec said Dubai Airports operates in a region shaped by rapid development, climate variability and multi-stakeholder operational demands.

Warham continued: “Organisations in the Middle East operate in fast-growing, multicultural environments where critical infrastructure, government agencies and private operators must work in harmony.

“Building resilience here requires more than plans.

“It demands alignment, consistent joint training, and strong communication channels that transcend organisational boundaries.”

He stated that this model is reflected in the airport’s oneDXB community.

Warham said: “It ensures that when disruption occurs, we respond as one team with clarity, trust and collective strength.”

Aviation risk, regulation and collaboration in the 2026 programme

Intersec said Warham will join a panel titled Crisis Leadership Through Lived Experience at the International Security Leaders’ Summit.

The panel will also include Amira G AlMutairi from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Peter O’Connell from AtkinsRéalis and Navaid Ahsan from Etihad Airways.

The session will be moderated by Glenn C Schoen, described by Intersec as an international security specialist and author.

Organisers said the panel is expected to address the General Civil Aviation Authority’s Civil Aviation Regulation on Airport Crisis Management.

According to Intersec, the regulation outlines expectations for how airports prepare for, respond to and recover from operational disruption, and is aligned with international practices.

Intersec added that the regulation builds on the Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2024 concerning the Dubai Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.

PwC will also host a closed-door roundtable on multi-sector crisis management, with a white paper to follow.

Intersec said the summit will sit alongside other conference platforms including the Fire and Rescue Conference, the Health and Safety Conference, the Access Control Theatre, the Control Room Innovation Theatre, the InCyber Briefing and the SIRA Forum.

Organisers confirmed the event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with support from the General Command of Dubai Civil Defense and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency.

Dishan Isaac, Show Director of Intersec at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “The Security Leaders’ Summit brings together diverse voices from across government, aviation and critical infrastructure to share lived experience and actionable insights.

“It reinforces Intersec’s commitment to advancing resilience, collaboration and security leadership across the region.”

Practical implications for high-risk infrastructure management

Aviation leaders, airport crisis managers and emergency planners may find this development relevant because the summit will examine operational experiences from April 2024’s rainfall event in the UAE.

Teams responsible for decision-making during complex disruptions could draw practical insight from the leadership approaches described by Dubai Airports, particularly around planning, multi-agency coordination and communication practices.

Organisations operating in transport hubs may also have interest in the General Civil Aviation Authority’s Civil Aviation Regulation on Airport Crisis Management, which will be discussed by panel participants and shapes expectations for crisis preparation and recovery.

Professionals working in control rooms, access management, fire and rescue operations and safety planning may benefit from the wider Intersec 2026 programme, which includes conference tracks focused on operational readiness in interconnected safety environments.