81st IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, India

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) is taking place on 1-3 June 2025 at the Bharat Mandapam - Convention Centre in New Delhi, India, hosted by IndiGo.

The 81st IATA AGM and WATS gathers the top leadership from airlines, the aviation value chain and governments as the aviation industry faces complex and dynamic operating, business and geopolitical environments.

Listed below is news which has been release during the AGM by IATA.

Click on the title of each item to read further.

Aviation Leaders Assemble in New Delhi for IATA’s 81st AGM

“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. 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,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

$1.3 Billion in Airline Funds Blocked by Governments

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that $1.3 billion in airline funds are blocked from repatriation by governments as of end April 2025. This is a significant amount, although it is an improvement of 25% compared with the $1.7 billion reported for October 2024.

Policy Shortcomings Puts SAF Production at Risk

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that it expects Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production to reach 2 million tonnes (Mt) (2.5 billion liters) or 0.7% of airlines’ total fuel consumption in 2025.

“While it is encouraging that SAF production is expected to double to 2 million tonnes in 2025, that is just 0.7% of aviation’s total fuel needs. And even that relatively small amount will add $4.4 billion globally to the fuel bill. The pace of progress in ramping up production and gaining efficiencies to reduce costs must accelerate,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Airline Profitability to Strengthen Slightly in 2025 Despite Headwinds

“The first half of 2025 has brought significant uncertainties to global markets. Nonetheless, by many measures including net profits, it will still be a better year for airlines than 2024, although slightly below our previous projections. The biggest positive driver is the price of jet fuel which has fallen 13% compared with 2024 and 1% below previous estimates. Moreover, we anticipate airlines flying more people and more cargo in 2025 than they did in 2024, even if previous demand projections have been dented by trade tensions and falls in consumer confidence. The result is an improvement of net margins from 3.4% in 2024 to 3.7% in 2025. That’s still about half the average profitability across all industries. But considering the headwinds, it’s a strong result that demonstrates the resilience that airlines have worked hard to fortify,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Luis Gallego Chairs IATA Board

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), has assumed his duties as Chair of the IATA Board. His one-year term began at the conclusion of the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, India, on 2 June 2025. Gallego is the 83rd Chair of the IATA Board on which he has served since 2018. Gallego succeeds IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, who will continue to serve on the Board.

LATAM Airlines Group to Host 82nd IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2026, hosted by LATAM Airlines Group. “We are excited to accept LATAM’s offer to host IATA’s 82nd AGM in Rio de Janeiro. The last time the IATA AGM was in South America was in 1999, also in Rio. It will be a great opportunity to take stock of changes over two decades of development that have seen strengthening air connectivity successfully support major world events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. By meeting in the largest aviation market in South America, the AGM will highlight the great potential for aviation to be an even more powerful strategic force driving social and economic prosperity,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Recipients of 2025 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards Announced

• Inspirational Role Model: Claudia Zapata-Cardone, President of the Latin Professionals in Aerospace (LPA)
• High Flyer: Katherine Moloney, Founder of Elevate (her) Aviation
• Diversity & Inclusion Team: Air Canada

“Diversity and inclusion is strategic for aviation as the industry’s growth is contingent upon attracting a strong talent pool with a wide variety of skills. Congratulations go to this year’s awardees who have all excelled at creating the potential for any individual to have a great career in aviation—an industry that is a powerful force for social and economic prosperity. Their achievements are examples for others to follow,” said Karen Walker, Editor-in-Chief, Air Transport World and Chair of the judging panel.

IATA CO2 Connect Integrated into the Amadeus Travel Platform

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Amadeus are integrating flight-specific emissions data from IATA CO2 Connect in the Amadeus Travel Platform. This will allow airlines, travel agents, corporate travel managers, and online platforms that request IATA CO2 Connect data to provide travelers with a new source of trusted emissions data at the point of booking. IATA CO2 Connect uses real operational data, such as aircraft type-specific fuel consumption, directly contributed by over 70 airlines and calculated using a globally standardized methodology.