Spotlight: Mina Cezairli Aviation Week's 20 Twenties Winner 2026

Mina Cezairli is a 2026 20 Twenties winner and holds an M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Class of 2025. Her pioneering work focuses on advancing aviation sustainability through operational innovation.

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's International Center for Air Transportation, Cezairli quantified the tangible benefits of novel low-noise flight procedures at Boston Logan International Airport, demonstrating significant noise reductions coupled with fuel efficiency gains. 

Her master's thesis investigates the factors driving aircraft deviations from fuel-optimal cruise trajectories, uncovering structural limitations within existing airspace design. Her research on self-separation concepts utilizing Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data received Best Paper honors at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Digital Avionics Systems Conference, highlighting the potential for considerable industrywide fuel conservation.

As a licensed pilot, Cezairli intends to pursue doctoral studies concentrating on sustainable and human-centered air traffic systems