en.Wedoany.com Reported - The 82nd Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will be held from June 6 to 8, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is expected to attract approximately 1,500 aviation industry representatives, government officials, and media professionals from multiple countries.
This marks the return of the most important conference in commercial aviation to South America after 27 years. The last time the event was held in South America was in 1999, also in Rio de Janeiro, when the World Air Transport Summit format was officially introduced, and it has since become one of the key forums in the industry.
As the host, Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines, stated that holding the Annual General Meeting in Brazil is a strategic opportunity to drive improvements in conditions, enabling the aviation industry to contribute more significantly to the region's economic and social development. IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted during the opening ceremony that Brazil's investments in airport infrastructure over the past decades, along with growth in tourism, exports, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity, position it to expand aviation connectivity.
According to IATA data, the aviation industry currently accounts for 2.1% of Brazil's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), encompassing the entire industry value chain and tourism-related activities. The sector supports approximately 1.9 million jobs and contributes $46.4 billion to the national economy. Brazil's aviation market is in an expansion phase. In 2025, total air transport demand grew by 11.5%, with domestic passenger traffic exceeding 100 million for the first time; international demand increased by 17% year-on-year, surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
Following the Annual General Meeting, the World Air Transport Summit will be held to discuss global industry challenges, with topics including expanding SAF production, airspace management in the context of international conflicts, the role of air cargo in global trade, passenger rights, regulatory modernization, and the impact of artificial intelligence on airline operations. The conference will also feature the traditional CEO Forum, hosted by CNN journalist Richard Quest, bringing together executives from major enterprises to discuss industry trends. Additionally, the eighth IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards will be presented during the conference, recognizing individuals and organizations that promote gender equality and increase women's participation in the aviation industry.
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