Geneva — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled its 2026 event calendar, bringing together industry and government leaders to focus on the air transport industry's most pressing challenges.
"Uniquely, IATA, through our global events, assembles the most influential voices across the industry to tackle air transport's biggest challenges and opportunities. Whether taking the next step in digitalizing cargo operations, developing a common approach to adopting more economical payment solutions, or addressing the need to unlock Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, our events ensure that the right decision-makers are in the room to drive action," said Frederic Leger, Senior Vice President, IATA Products & Services.
In 2025, IATA events attracted more than 11,000 industry and government delegates across 16 events. Next year, IATA will further expand its schedule of events to 18, introducing two new events in 2026.
The new events include:
- IATA World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (23-25 June, Madrid, Spain): Supply chain challenges in the aerospace industry are delaying production of new aircraft and parts, a slowdown expected to cost the industry USD 11 billion in 2025. This event will spotlight these issues and potential solutions.
- Wings of Change Middle East & North Africa (8-9 September, Manama, Bahrain): The region remains one of the fastest-growing markets globally. With rapid growth, evolving passenger expectations, and increasing pressure to decarbonize, this event will bring airline and government leaders together from across the region.
Other key events include:
- World Cargo Symposium (10-12 March, Lima, Peru): This is one of IATA's largest conferences, with more than 1,900 attendees. The symposium will focus on digitalization, sustainability, and safety/security as key issues for the global air cargo industry as it adapts to unfolding geopolitical shifts.
- World Data Symposium (8-9 April, Singapore): Now in its second year, this event was launched in response to air transport's growing reliance on data and technology. Emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, process automation, and robotics in aviation as well as topics related to cybersecurity, policy, and global collaboration will also be on the agenda.
- World Safety and Operations Conference (6-8 October, Istanbul, Türkiye): Returning to Europe in 2026, the event will focus on further safety improvements amid emerging risks such as the proliferation of lithium batteries carried by travelers and GNSS interference near conflict zones.
- World Sustainability Symposium (October, Brussels, Belgium): This event will bring together leaders from aviation, energy, finance, and policy to advance the industry's commitment to achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Key topics will include financing the energy transition, SAF production, and addressing policy developments.
- World Passenger Symposium (Q4 2026, TBC): Discussions will center on how digital identity is reshaping airline customer service and business operations.
- World Financial Symposium (Q4 2026, TBC): Aviation is on the cusp of a major financial transformation with new retail models and disruptive payment technologies. This event offers an opportunity to assess these changes and learn from innovators at the cutting edge.
