IATA Unveils 2026 Events Calendar

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.

Purpose of the Calendar
- Brings together industry and government leaders to address aviation’s most pressing challenges.
- Focus areas include digitalization, sustainability, safety, financial transformation, and decarbonization.
- Builds on 2025’s success, where 11,000+ delegates attended 16 events worldwide.
- Expanded to 18 events in 2026, with two new additions.

World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium
- 📍 Madrid, Spain | 🗓 23–25 June 2026
- Focus: Supply chain challenges in aerospace, delays in aircraft/parts production (estimated $11B industry impact).

Wings of Change Middle East & North Africa
- 📍 Manama, Bahrain | 🗓 8–9 September 2026
- Focus: Rapid regional growth, evolving passenger expectations, and decarbonization strategies.

World Cargo Symposium
- 📍 Lima, Peru | 🗓 10–12 March 2026
- Focus: Digitalization, sustainability, safety/security in global air cargo amid geopolitical shifts.

World Data Symposium
- 📍 Singapore | 🗓 8–9 April 2026
- Focus: AI, machine learning, robotics, cybersecurity, and aviation’s reliance on data.

World Safety & Operations Conference
- 📍 Istanbul, Türkiye | 🗓 6–8 October 2026
- Focus: Safety improvements, lithium battery risks, GNSS interference near conflict zones.

World Sustainability Symposium
- 📍 Brussels, Belgium | 🗓 October 2026
- Focus: Net zero CO₂ by 2050, financing energy transition, SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) production.

World Passenger Symposium
- 📍 Q4 2026 (Location TBD)
- Focus: Digital identity reshaping customer service and airline operations.

World Financial Symposium
- 📍 Q4 2026 (Location TBD)
- Focus: New retail models, disruptive payment technologies, financial transformation in aviation.

Significance
- Reinforces IATA’s role as a global convenor of aviation leaders.
- Tackles critical industry challenges: sustainability, safety, digital transformation, and financial innovation.
- Expands regional focus with Middle East & North Africa event.
- Supports aviation’s Fly Net Zero commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.