IATA 81St Annual General Meeting (2025)

Overview

The 81st IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) took place from June 1 to 3, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India. This marked the third time India hosted the AGM, with previous events held in 1958 and 1983. The summit brought together over 1,700 global aviation leaders, including airline CEOs, government officials, and industry experts.

India’s Role and Vision

PM Narendra Modi’s Address

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the event and emphasized:

• India’s emergence as the third-largest domestic aviation market
• Success of the UDAN scheme, enabling 15 million passengers to access affordable air travel
• Doubling of airports from 74 in 2014 to 162 in 2025
• Ambitious Aviation Vision 2047, aiming for:
  • 350 airports by 2047
  • Becoming a global hub for international passenger and cargo traffic
  • Developing an MRO 4 billion (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) industry by 2030

Key Themes and Outcomes

1. Sustainability and Net Zero Goals
   • IATA reaffirmed its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
   • Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is expected to double to 2 million tonnes in 2025
   • Willie Walsh, IATA Director General, highlighted that SAF currently meets only 0.7% of fuel needs, adding $4.4 billion to global fuel costs
2. Safety and Operational Challenges
   • Over 1,100 aircraft grounded globally, 69% due to a single engine type
   • GPS jamming and conflict zones caused daily reroutes, especially in the Eurocontrol region
   • These issues led to higher fuel consumption, emissions, and costs
3. Regulatory Complexity
   • IATA called for the simplification of aviation regulations, especially in markets like India
   • Concerns over taxation, airport charges, and regulatory burdens that could threaten industry resilience
4. Financial Outlook
   • Global airline profits projected to reach $36 billion in 2025, up from $32.4 billion in 2024
   • Total passenger numbers expected to hit 4.99 billion, with cargo volumes at 69 million tonnes

Diversity & Inclusion Awards

IATA celebrated leaders driving change:

• Claudia Zapata-Cardone – Inspirational Role Model
• Katherine Moloney – High Flyer Award
• Air Canada – Diversity & Inclusion Team Award

Industry Announcements

• IndiGo placed an order for 30 additional Airbus A350 aircraft, expanding its wide-body fleet to 60
• Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), has been appointed as the new Chair of the IATA Board
• The 82nd IATA AGM will be hosted by LATAM Airlines Group in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2026

Conclusion

The 81st IATA AGM in New Delhi was a landmark event that spotlighted India’s aviation ambitions and the global industry's challenges. With a strong focus on sustainability, safety, and regulatory reform, the summit underscored a collective commitment to building a resilient, innovative, and inclusive future for aviation.