Aviation leaders gather in Istanbul for the 79th IATA AGM
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that global aviation industry leaders will gather in Istanbul, Turkey for the IATA 79th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit, with Pegasus Airlines as host airline.
The event (June 4-6) attracts top industry leaders from IATA's more than 300 member airlines, as well as senior government officials, strategic partners, equipment suppliers and the media.
“In a few days, Istanbul will become the aviation capital of the world. The airlines will come together to review the industry's recovery from COVID-19, to plan the path to a more sustainable future, to discuss opportunities for technology to drive efficiencies from modern retail to enhanced facilitation, and to understand the common regulatory challenges they face. Aviation is important. Connecting the world even as geopolitical divides deepen is a vital mission that requires airlines that are profitable, safe, efficient and sustainable. The results of this AGM should set the direction for even more effective global connectivity,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.
Pegasus Airlines Chairman of the Board of Directors and IATA Chairman of the Board of Governors Mehmet T. Nane said: “We are extremely proud to welcome our industry partners to the great city of Istanbul and look forward to welcoming them back. everyone here for the IATA AGM, particularly as we look forward to our 100th aircraft milestone on the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye later this year. Aviation came together to help the people of Türkiye rebuild after the tragic earthquake in February. Now, aviation comes together to discuss vital issues related to our path to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, the diversity of our industry, our operational recovery from the depths of COVID, and many other topics."
World Air Transport Summit
The World Air Transport Summit immediately follows the AGM.
The ever-popular CEO Insights Panel moderated by CNN's Richard Quest will feature Greg Foran (CEO, Air New Zealand), Yvonne Manzi Makolo (CEO, Rwandair), John W. Dietrich (President and CEO, Atlas Air Worldwide) and Campbell Wilson ( CEO and CEO of Air India).
In addition to the industry's up-to-date economic outlook, key topics to be addressed include:
An overview of the challenges facing the industry with changing energy markets and changing supply chains
Aviation's contribution to the Türkiye earthquake recovery
Advances in sustainability.
Learnings from the operational challenges of 2022
A highlight will be the fourth edition of the Diversity and Inclusion Awards sponsored by Qatar Airways. These awards recognize organizations and individuals who are making a difference by helping drive the industry's 25by2025 initiative to make the aviation industry more gender-balanced.
See the complete program of the General Shareholders' Meeting
This will be the second time that the AGM has been held in Istanbul, having last been held in 2008. Türkiye is recovering strongly from the pandemic lockdown. In 2022, travel to/from Türkiye increased by almost 60% and it is now the seventh largest international passenger market in the world.
“Since we were last in Istanbul, Türkiye has become an incredible global aviation power. Its carriers are leading the way in regional and international connectivity, and the magnificent new airport puts to shame the lack of investment in other nations' airports. There is no doubt that the importance of Türkiye for global aviation will continue to grow significantly,” Walsh said.
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