AGM 2026 Sessions & Highlights

Artificial intelligence could transform aviation, but airlines must adopt it at the right pace. Moving too slowly may leave an airline behind, while moving too quickly can create significant challenges. To succeed, airlines must balance AI’s potential to improve efficiency and increase revenue with the risks it brings.

• Abha Dogra, Chief Product Officer, IBS Software
• Megan O'Keefe, Vice President Airline Solutions Product & Portfolio, Travel Unit, Amadeus
• Nikhil Ravishankar, CEO, Air New Zealand
• Andrew Sellers, Vice President Technology Strategy, Confluent

Moderator: Clare Sebastian, Correspondent, CNN

Interviews: Abha Dogra - Megan O'Keefe - Nikhil Ravishankar

Air cargo plays a vital role in global trade, transporting goods worth $8 trillion each year. The sector remains resilient, with volumes projected to reach 71.7 million tonnes in 2026. However, tariff policies, supply chain disruptions, and shifts in global trade patterns continue to create uncertainty and unintended consequences.

• Michael Steen, CEO, Atlas Air
• Janet Wallace, Managing Director Cargo Operations & Transformations, Air Canada

Moderator: Richard Quest, Anchor and Correspondent, CNN Business Editor-at-Large

There is significant potential for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in Brazil. Realizing this potential will require the right policies both in Brazil and globally to support exports. Feedstocks must also be diversified and certified to meet sustainability scheme requirements.  

• Marlon Arraes Jardim Leal, Biofuels Director, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Brazil
• Patricia Grossi, Head of Carbon Markets and Biofuel Certification, Acelen Renewables
• Ricardo Pinto, Senior Specialist, Petrobras

Moderator: Clare Sebastian, Correspondent, CNN

Press release: Brazil’s Opportunity to Be a SAF Powerhouse
Fact sheet: Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) (pdf)
Interviews: Marlon Arraes Jardim Leal - Patricia Grossi

Air traffic management (ATM) needs resilience and operational buffers to maintain safety and capacity during geopolitical disruption. Modernizing ATM, strengthening civil-military cooperation, and providing effective training are all essential. In general, ANSPs are well equipped, but additional funding remains necessary.

• Magdalena Jaworska-Maćkowiak, President, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency
• Chris Kempis, Director Flight Operations, Cathay Pacific

Moderator: Richard Quest, Anchor and Correspondent, CNN Business Editor-at-Large

Interviews: Magdalena Jaworska-Maćkowiak - Chris Kempis

EU261 reform remains under discussion. Airlines have proposed extending the delay threshold from three hours to five, but that now appears unlikely, despite clear passenger feedback that reaching their destination matters most. Outdated regulatory assumptions should therefore be reconsidered.

• Kimberly Graber, Of Counsel, Steptoe LLP
• Thomas Reynaert, Senior Vice President External Affairs, IATA
• Alexis Von Hoensbroech, CEO, WestJet

Moderator: Clare Sebastian, Correspondent, CNN

Interviews: Kimberly Graber - Thomas Reynaert

Around 40% of passengers do not realize they must leave their bags behind during an emergency evacuation. Understanding how passengers respond to stress is vital for designing effective safety protocols, improving information retention, and encouraging faster, safer evacuation behavior.  

• Levi Breeding, Senior Auditor, United Airlines
• Rachel Loudermilk, Managing Director Inflight Safety and Base Operations, Southwest Airlines
• Brett Molesworth, Professor of Human Factors and Aviation Safety, University of New South Wales School of Aviation

Moderator: Richard Quest, Anchor and Correspondent, CNN Business Editor-at-Large

> Watch the campaign video

Press release: IATA Launches “Save a Life, Not a Bag” Passenger Safety Campaign
Campaign material: Save a Life, Not a Bag
Interviews: Levi Breeding - Rachel Loudermilk - Brett Molesworth

Aviation’s center of gravity continues its relentless march east. Much of that movement is down to China’s continuing surge in traffic growth. But there are challenges, from high-speed rail to supply chain issues. A forthcoming 15^th five-year plan will be critical to the sustainable scaling up of air services.

• Xingquan (Max) Xie, Regional Vice President, North Asia, IATA

Presentation: North Asia briefing (pdf)
Interview: Xingquan (Max) Xie

European air demand is expected to be strong in summer 2026. But there is a trend toward intra-European vacations rather than travel beyond the region. Moreover, significant problems remain, including the Entry Exit System, taxation, consumer protection, airport charges, and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

• Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President, Europe, IATA

Presentation: Europe briefing (pdf)
Interview: Rafael Schvartzman

Asia-Pacific is expected to welcome more than 4 billion passengers by 2044. That represents around 2.4 billion more passengers than today and about 41% of global growth. But the region is at a critical juncture if this growth is to be achieved sustainability. Asia-Pacific has the feedstocks and technology to become a major producer of sustainable aviation fuel, but effective policies must be implemented quickly.

• Sheldon Hee, Regional Vice President, Asia-Pacific, IATA

Presentation: Asia-Pacific briefing (pdf)
Interview: Sheldon Hee

The AME briefing delved into the state of air transport across the region, the impact of the war including on airspace, demand, and fuel. Regional priorities such as blocked funds, safety high costs, regional harmonization, and capacity building were also addressed

• Kamil Alawadhi, Regional Vice President, Africa & Middle East, IATA

Presentation: Africa & Middle East briefing (pdf)

Peter Cerda focused his Americas briefing on recommendations for government measures to promote stronger air transport in the region. He noted that taxes and charges make up 29% of total ticket prices compared to 15% in North America. The potential of Latin America to grow is significant given the region’s annual trips per capita is still less than one. However, governments need to view the industry as a strategic partner, not a cash cow.

• Peter Cerda, Regional Vice President, The Americas, IATA

Presentation: Americas briefing (pdf)
Interview: Peter Cerda

Aviation aspires to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. A key element will be sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). But to get to the 500 million tonnes of SAF required by 2050 requires policy action today. Airlines also need enough carbon credits available to meet obligations in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. Again, solutions are possible with the correct support.

• Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist, IATA
• Hemant Mistry, Director Energy Transition, IATA
• Preeti Jain, Head Net Zero Research and Programs, IATA

Presentation: Sustainability briefing (pdf)

Press releases:

• SAF Production Volumes Still Disappointing
• IATA Launches Supporting Alliance for CORSIA EEU Supply

Interviews: Marie Owens Thomsen - Preeti Jain

> Sustainability fact sheets  > More on SAF  > More on CORSIA

• Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA
• Luis Gallego, CEO, IAG and Chair, IATA Board of Directors 2025-2026
• Roberto Alvo, CEO, LATAM Airlines Group

Interviews: Willie Walsh - Luis Gallego - Roberto Alvo

• Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist, IATA

Press release: Middle East Disruptions and High Fuel Prices Halve Airline Industry Profitability
Presentation: Industry Outlook: Energy in Crisis (pdf)
Interview: Marie Owens Thomsen

• Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist, IATA
• Hemant Mistry, Director Energy Transition, IATA
• Eleanor Budds, Research Director, Global Fuels and Refining, S&P Global

Presentation: Jet Fuel Update briefing (pdf)
Fact sheet: Fuel (pdf)

• Thomas Reynaert, Senior Vice President, External Affairs, IATA

Presentation: Advocacy Update briefing (pdf)

> IATA's advocacy priorities

• Nick Careen, Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety, and Security, IATA

Presentation: Safety & Operations briefing (pdf)
Press release: IATA Launches “Save a Life, Not a Bag” Passenger Safety Campaign
Campaign: Save a Life, Not a Bag

> Safety, Security, and Operations fact sheets

• Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA
• Roberto Alvo, CEO, LATAM Airlines Group