The topic of this year's European Aviation Conference (EAC26) is: "Lift or Drag?: Taxes, Subsidies and Sustainable Aviation." Professor Andreas Wittmer is heading the local organizing team. Our discussion highlights the reasons for hosting the European Aviation Conference at the University of St. Gallen, emphasizing the university's pride in contributing to aviation and space research and hosting the event. The discussion explains that this year’s focus on aviation taxes reflects growing debates around environmental goals, net zero targets, and evolving international regulations on ticket VAT and fuel taxation. A key lesson from the discussion is the value of interdisciplinary collaboration—bringing together economics, management, and law to effectively help solving policy challenges. The conference aims to unite academia, industry, and policymakers, with strong C-level participation ensuring meaningful exchange. St. Gallen’s strong industry ties and applied research model demonstrate how close collaboration enhances practical relevance, innovation, and impactful problem-solving.