IATA Members Gather in India for AGM & World Air Transport Summit
by Bruce Parkinson
Air travel demand was resilient in May 2026.
Leaders of the global aviation industry have gathered in New Delhi, India for the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit (WATS).
IndiGo is the host airline of the event, which was last held in India in 1983. Some 1,700 participants are in attendance, including industry leaders, government officials and media. India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, is expected to deliver a keynote address to delegates.
“We are excited to bring the IATA AGM to India after a 42-year gap. India’s place in global aviation has changed dramatically, particularly over the last decade,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“The country has seen record aircraft orders, impressive growth, and world class infrastructure developments. The AGM will allow aviation leaders and journalists from around the world to witness first-hand how India’s rapidly modernizing and expanding aviation sector is contributing to the country’s overall economic and social development,” Walsh added.
India’s aviation industry directly employs 369,700 people and generates $5.6 billion of GDP. When indirect, induced and tourism impacts are included, the totals rise to 7.7 million jobs and $53.6 billion of GDP (1.5%).
“As the host airline of the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting, IndiGo warmly welcomes the global airline community to India. Aviation is a powerful force for good worldwide, and that is particularly evident in India. India’s aviation market is rapidly thriving while significantly contributing to the country’s socio-economic growth and IndiGo is at the forefront of this upward trajectory,” said Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo and Chair of the IATA Board of Governors.
World Air Transport Summit
The World Air Transport Summit (WATS), which follows immediately after the AGM, will address key issues facing the aviation industry.
“The AGM is always a moment for the industry to reflect and regroup in the face of enormous economic, geopolitical and technological forces ahead,“ said Walsh, “I’m confident this gathering will deliver value to our stakeholders and strengthen our commitment to progress and collaboration.”
Key topics to be addressed in the WATS include the financial outlook for the airline industry, how India is strategically using aviation to drive development, the relationship between energy security, renewable energy and Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and financing aviation net zero.
Just before the summit, IATA revealed statistics for April, which saw total demand up 8% year-over-year, and international demand up nearly 11%.
“April was a positive month for travel. Growth strengthened, especially for international demand which saw record load factors for the month,” said Walsh. “The return of the transatlantic market to growth is particularly encouraging. But there are some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence with continued weakness in the US domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel.”
