IATA AGM News in Brief

Winners of IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards announced: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the winners of the annual IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards: Inspirational Role Model: Rania Alturki, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Saudia Group; High Flyer: Fiona Omondi, Chief Strategy Officer, Tradewinds Aviation Services and Co-Founder, Women in Aviation International, Kenya; Diversity & Inclusion Team: LATAM Airlines Group. “Diversity and inclusion give opportunities for the broadest of talent pools to build long-term, sustainable careers. Moreover, it brings airlines even closer to the diverse communities they connect to global networks. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s awards. They demonstrate the many ways that the aviation industry is growing stronger by advancing diversity and inclusion best practices,” said Karen Walker, Editor-in-Chief, Air Transport World and Chair of the judging panel. “Aviation competes for talent. In that context, the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards inspire the industry with great examples of the many initiatives underway. They are a strong signal to anyone considering working in our amazing industry that there are opportunities without boundaries for all to build rewarding careers in aviation. It is particularly encouraging to see the growing number of women in roles in the cockpit, on the ground in maintenance and engineering roles and in the CEO’s office. There is still much more progress to make, but it’s important to pause and recognize the changes that are happening and those that are leading the charge. Congratulations to all those nominated for the Awards and, of course, the winners,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Roberto Alvo named chair of IATA board: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, has taken up duties as Chair of the IATA Board of Directors. His one-year term began at the conclusion of the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 8 June 2026. Alvo is the 84th Chair of the IATA Board of Directors on which he has served since 2020. Alvo succeeds Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG). Gallego will continue to serve on the Board. “Aviation is at a defining moment, with an increasingly important role in connecting people, enabling trade, and supporting economic development around the world. Chairing the IATA Board of Directors at this time is a responsibility I take with great commitment. As we navigate a more complex environment, our industry must continue working together to strengthen safety, improve efficiency, advance sustainability, and unlock the benefits of connectivity for more people and communities. I look forward to working with IATA’s members, governments, and industry partners to help ensure aviation remains a force for opportunity, resilience, and growth,” said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group. Alvo has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry. He joined LAN Airlines (now LATAM Airlines Group) in 2001 and held several leadership positions across finance, commercial, and strategic functions before being appointed CEO in 2020. Shortly after becoming CEO, Alvo led LATAM through its Chapter 11 restructuring process and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the group’s successful transformation and emergence in 2022. Under Alvo’s leadership, LATAM has strengthened its position as the leading airline group in Latin America, expanding connectivity across the region and to international markets, advancing its sustainability agenda, and delivering strong operational and financial performance. Today, LATAM serves more than 161 destinations in 27 countries and plays a key role in connecting South America within the region and with the world. IATA also announced Mehmet Tevfik Nane, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Pegasus Airlines, to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors from June 2027, following Alvo’s term. IATA also published the full list of its 32 Board members. Xiamen Airlines to host 83rd IATA AGM: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Xiamen Airlines will host the 83rd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in Xiamen, China, from 30 May to 1 June 2027. “We are excited to bring the 83rd IATA AGM to China, hosted by Xiamen Airlines. China is a major player in the aviation industry. China’s airlines are among the top airlines by passenger traffic in the world. And the country is at the forefront of how technology and digitalization can be deployed to improve efficiency. Hosting the AGM in China will allow the leaders of the global aviation industry to witness first-hand the impressive development of the China market,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Xiamen Airlines is proud to host the IATA AGM and to welcome our industry colleagues to our home base of Xiamen. China is a vast and culturally diverse country, with many dynamic cities and regions beyond its best-known gateways. Located on China’s southeast coast, Xiamen is an historical port and interface for commerce between China and the rest of the world,” said Zhao Dong, Chairman of Xiamen Airlines. “The opening of Xiang’an International Airport later this year demonstrates how Xiamen is growing its importance as a transportation and business hub. AGM guests can look forward to discovering the rich culture, warm hospitality, coastal beauty, and a relaxed lifestyle that create the distinctive spirit and vitality of Xiamen,” said Xie Bing, CEO & President of Xiamen Airlines. The decision to host the 83rd IATA AGM in China was made at the 82nd IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro. This is the third time China will host the global gathering of aviation’s top leaders, and the first time it will be held in Xiamen. The AGM was previously held in Shanghai (2002) and Beijing (2012). IATA launches “Save a Life, Not a Bag” passenger safety campaign: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced the launch of “Save a Life, Not a Bag”, a passenger safety campaign urging travelers not to take cabin baggage during an aircraft evacuation. Supported by aviation safety regulators including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the campaign reinforces what passengers must do when instructed to evacuate for their safety and the safety of all on board: follow crew instructions, leave all baggage behind, and move quickly to the nearest usable exit. “Taking bags during an evacuation is not a minor issue. Every second matters. Even taking one bag can affect the safe evacuation of everyone onboard. Crew instructions are clear and simple: leave everything behind and move quickly. “Save a Life, Not a Bag” is a message that passengers need to understand and act upon,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. The campaign responds to the growing number of cases where travelers have stopped to collect their baggage or take photos during aircraft evacuations. Evidence of this is seen in many videos posted online. “Rapid evacuation in an emergency situation saves lives. Aircraft are certified to stringent evacuation standards and crews are trained extensively for emergency situations, to make sure every single passenger has the best possible chance of survival in an acute situation. For this to work in a real emergency, all passengers must play their part too. And it is very simple: follow crew instructions, leave all baggage behind and move quickly to the nearest usable exit. Not only this will save your life, but you will have done your very best to allow everyone to get out of danger,” said Florian Guillermet, EASA Executive Director. Valuable seconds can be lost when retrieving baggage from overhead bins. Carrying bags can cause people to fall or damage the slides that all passengers need to use. Most concerningly, some passengers have been seen attempting to evacuate while carrying both infants and bags or other personal items, compromising safety at a critical moment. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]