Latest news with #IATA
Daily Tribune
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
India hosts aviation power meet
TDT | Manama India's emergence as a global aviation force is taking centre stage this weekend as it plays host to one of the airline industry's most significant events— the 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).. Scheduled from June 1st to 3rd in New Delhi, the event marks the return of IATA's flagship summit to Indian soil after a 42-year gap, last held in India in 1983. Record attendance More than 1,700 delegates, including top airline CEOs, government officials, and global media, are attending the AGM, which is being hosted by India's leading carrier, IndiGo. India's Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, is expected to deliver the keynote address, signalling high-level national endorsement of the gathering. 'We are excited to bring the IATA AGM to India after a 42-year gap,' said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. 'India's place in global aviation has changed dramatically. The country has seen record aircraft orders, impressive growth, and world-class infrastructure developments.' IndiGo in the lead IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, who also chairs the IATA Board of Governors, noted that the summit reflects India's growing influence in global aviation. He said aviation is a powerful force for good worldwide and that this is particularly evident in India. IndiGo, he added, is proud to invite the IATA AGM back to India and showcase the country's rapid progress in the sector. India's aviation industry directly employs over 369,000 people and contributes $5.6 billion to the economy. When factoring in indirect, induced, and tourism impacts, the sector supports 7.7 million jobs and adds $53.6 billion to GDP—roughly 1.5 percent of the national total. Summit agenda The AGM will be followed by the World Air Transport Summit (WATS), where major global themes will be discussed, including the financial outlook for airlines, India's strategic use of aviation for development, and the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Discussions will also focus on financing the journey to net zero and innovations in payment systems. CNN's Richard Quest will moderate the summit's CEO Panel featuring Pieter Elbers of IndiGo, Joanna Geraghty of JetBlue, Adrian Neuhauser of Abra Group, and Richard Smith of FedEx. Progress and inclusion A highlight of the event will be the sixth edition of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards, which honour efforts to advance gender balance in the industry as part of the 25by2025 initiative. Willie Walsh said the AGM is always a moment for the industry to reflect and regroup in the face of enormous economic, geopolitical, and technological forces. He expressed confidence that the gathering would deliver value to stakeholders and strengthen global collaboration. As global attention turns to India's aviation trajectory, the AGM in New Delhi signals not just a return, but a recognition of the country's new role as a global aviation hub.
Iraq Business
18 hours ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraqi Airways closer to Removal of EU Ban
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a key meeting with representatives from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to track progress on lifting the European Union's ban on Iraqi Airways. During the session, the IATA delegation and the Head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) presented a detailed update, confirming that 71% of the agreed corrective action plan has been implemented. Discussions also explored the signing of a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iraq and IATA to further formalise collaboration. The review included compliance with IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) standards, with IATA affirming improved operational performance and pledging continued support through technical training to bolster aviation governance in Iraq. Topics also covered included airport security, pilot development programmes, and the importance of aligning Iraqi Airways with global aviation service standards in areas such as cargo, ground services, and fuel operations. (Source: PMO)
Japan Today
21 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Airline chiefs meet in India amid turbulence of Trump
The airline industry meets in India amid worries over tariffs and geopolitical tensions By Tangi QUEMENER Airline bosses meet from Sunday in New Delhi at their annual industry conference, battling to mitigate the impact of Donald Trump's policies that have hit travel to the United States and potentially raised costs for aviation. Trump's bid to impose tariffs on the United States' trading partners have upended commercial flows, with legal challenges against his plan adding to uncertainties. The tense atmosphere in the United States, from Trump's plans to revoke foreign students' visas to reports of travellers detained at U.S. borders, has also put a dampener on tourism. "The airline sector is always sensitive to the economic and political climate," Paul Chiambaretto, professor of strategy and marketing at France's Montpellier Business School, told AFP. "Any form of uncertainty will reduce traffic," he added, noting that "especially" impacted business travelers, the most profitable segment. The influential International Air Transport Association (IATA) is due to update its traffic and profitability projections as the delegates from the group gathering 350 airlines hold their talks. In December it forecast a record 5.2 billion air journeys in 2025 -- up 6.7 percent from an already unprecedented 2024. It predicted carriers would generate $36.6 billion in cumulative net profit, on revenue exceeding $1 trillion. However, the U.S. president's "Liberation Day" tariff blitz and his administration's stance on issues from immigration to education could throw a spanner in the works. As early as March, the North American air transport market, which represents 23 percent of global traffic, began to decline and several U.S.-based airlines warned they would not meet their financial targets. A study released this month by the World Travel and Tourism Council and Oxford Economics found that the United States was on track to lose some $12.5 billion in revenue from foreign tourists this year owing to worries about traveling to the country. The group, made up of leading travel firms, said this "represents a direct blow to the US economy overall, impacting communities, jobs, and businesses from coast to coast". "While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the US government is putting up the 'closed' sign," WTTC president Julia Simpson said. Didier Brechemier, an airline industry expert at Roland Berger, said: "Today, bookings for the North Atlantic are lower than they were at the same time last year." IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted on Thursday "some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence with continued weakness in the U.S. domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel". Air transport has for decades benefited from the removal of import taxes, rising living standards -- particularly in Asia -- and open borders, with the number of air trips tripling since 2000. But the return of protectionism is endangering the industrial model of aircraft manufacturers, whose assembly lines mobilize suppliers worldwide, with costs likely to increase, putting more of a burden on carriers. There's good news for carriers, though, with oil prices falling owing to an anticipated slowdown in economic growth. That could help firms reduce their fuel bills -- representing between a quarter and a third of their operational costs -- by hundreds of millions of dollars. Washington's new Republican administration is also fully supporting the development of fossil fuels, in contrast to that of Democratic former president Joe Biden, who subsidized Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Sustainable development "has largely disappeared from the airline industry's immediate priorities", says Jerome Bouchard, a partner at consultants Oliver Wyman. Also likely on the agenda for IATA will be the impact of geopolitical tensions on the industry. India is experiencing explosive growth, with the number of airports and passengers in the world's most populous nation doubling over the past decade, while major airlines IndiGo and Air India have hundreds of aircraft on order. But the country's recent deadly spat with neighbor Pakistan, which saw the two sides impose airspace bans on each other, highlighted the fragility of civil aviation in the face of such upheavals. The row poses an additional complication for connections to Asia, as Russia has banned U.S. and EU aircraft overflights in retaliation for sanctions linked to its invasion of Ukraine. © 2025 AFP
Travel Daily News
a day ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Global aviation leaders to gather in New Delhi for IATA 's 81st AGM
IATA's 81st Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit will gather global aviation leaders in New Delhi, India, June 1–3, 2025. NEW DELHI – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that leaders of the global aviation industry are gathering for the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) which will take place in New Delhi, India from 1-3 June 2025. India's Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, is expected to deliver a keynote address to delegates. IndiGo is the host airline of the event, which was last held in India in 1983. Some 1,700 participants are registered to attend, including industry leaders, government officials and media. '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. India's aviation industry directly employs 369,700 people and generates $5.6 billion of GDP. When indirect, induced and tourism impacts are included, the totals rise to 7.7 million jobs and $53.6 billion of GDP (1.5%). 'As the host airline of the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting, IndiGo warmly welcomes the global airline community to India. Aviation is a powerful force for good worldwide, and that is particularly evident in India. India's aviation market is rapidly thriving while significantly contributing to the country's socio-economic growth and IndiGo is at the forefront of this upward trajectory. IndiGo is proud to invite the IATA AGM back to India, and we look forward to showcasing the exciting developments in this market and the warm hospitality of India, during this global mega-event. This is India's time!' said Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo and Chair of the IATA Board of Governors. World Air Transport Summit The World Air Transport Summit (WATS), which follows immediately after the AGM, will address key issues facing the aviation industry. 'The AGM is always a moment for the industry to reflect and regroup in the face of enormous economic, geopolitical and technological forces ahead,' said Walsh, 'I'm confident this gathering will deliver value to our stakeholders and strengthen our commitment to progress and collaboration.' The popular CEO Panel moderated by CNN's Richard Quest will feature: Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo CEO, Joanna Geraghty, CEO, JetBlue CEO, Adrian Neuhauser, CEO, Abra Group CEO, Richard Smith, COO International, and CEO Airline, FedEx Key topics to be addressed in the WATS include: The financial outlook for the airline industry How India is strategically using aviation to drive development The relationship between energy security, renewable energy and Sustainable Aviation Fuel production Financing aviation net zero The cost of payment and potential innovations The view of the Chief Operations Officer
Observer
a day ago
- Business
- Observer
International passenger growth sees 8% increase in April
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April 2025, which stated that the total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 8% compared to April 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 6.5% year-on-year. The April load factor was 83.6%. International demand rose 10.8% compared to April 2024. Capacity was up 8.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.1%, the highest ever for April. Domestic demand increased 3.3% compared to April 2024. Capacity was up 3.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.7%. April was a positive month for travel. Growth strengthened, especially for international demand, which saw record load factors for the month. The return of the transatlantic market to growth is particularly encouraging. But there are some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence with continued weakness in the US domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel,' said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. Middle Eastern carriers saw an 11.2 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.1%. Domestic RPK rose 3.3% over April 2024, and load factor increased just 0.1 ppt to 82.7% on the back of 3.1% capacity expansion. Domestic US traffic was the only market to contract for a third straight month of decline, while India and Brazil expanded at a double-digit pace. India's capacity expansion was even faster, leading to a slight fall in load factor.
