China Aviation Financial Services & Payment Forum

About

The IATA China Aviation Financial Services & Payment Forum, 2nd Edition, under the theme “Connected World, Connected Future”, is a two-day deep dive into the evolving airline payment, cost, and cargo ecosystem. Sessions cover digital RMB adoption, modern airline retailing (MAR), ancillary revenue models, cost levers (fuel, maintenance), and freight innovations—including a dedicated cargo module on market opportunities, and smart payment linkages.

Tailored for payments, finance, treasury, commercial, and cargo experts, the forum provides actionable insights on settlement efficiency, data-driven cost management, and ecosystem partnerships across the industry value chain.

> View the agenda (pdf)

Key themes

Payments & Currency: Focusing on real-time case studies and global trends in digital transformation of payments, this section delves into the payment challenges and best practices faced by domestic and international airlines under the new retail standards for airlines. It also highlights the innovative applications of the RMB in international clearing and industry collaboration pathways. The application of the E-CNY in the aviation industry is also presented.

Revenue: Centered on the concept of "orders as the core," this section explores how native orders drive changes in airline services and business processes. Leading international and domestic experts share insights on how to empower revenue diversification, covering international expansion, non-aviation product innovation, ancillary revenue enhancement, and the value reshaping of frequent flyer programs.

Ecosystem: This section explores how cutting-edge technologies such as smart contracts, Web 3.0, and digital identity (One ID) are reshaping airline payments, settlements, and passenger experiences, building a more autonomous, trustworthy, and efficient digital ecosystem.

Cost: This section analyzes the cost structure of airlines, driving a transformation from cost control to value creation. Topics include data-driven fuel monitoring and emission reduction, digital maintenance cost management (MCX), risk insurance strategies, and the dual benefits of precise turbulence management for safety and fuel economy.

Cargo: Combining research on China's domestic cargo market with policy opportunities in the Hainan Free Trade Port, this section shares innovations in smart cargo payment links and explores how the One Record standard can empower information connectivity and improve settlement efficiency in air logistics.