The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold its 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 6 to 8 June 2026, with LATAM Airlines Group serving as the host airline.
Bringing together airline CEOs, regulators, manufacturers, alliance executives and aviation stakeholders from across the global air transport ecosystem, the event is expected to take place against a particularly complex backdrop for the industry. In its preliminary agenda, IATA points to “dynamic operating, business and geopolitical environments” shaping the sector as airlines continue to navigate operational pressures, sustainability targets, regulatory debates and shifting global trade dynamics.
By hosting the AGM in Rio, IATA is also placing renewed attention on Brazil’s strategic role within Latin American aviation. The association describes Brazil as the largest aviation market in South America and highlights aviation’s potential to further support economic and social development across the region.
The preliminary program suggests that several major industry concerns are likely to dominate discussions throughout the summit. Among the scheduled sessions are debates focused on artificial intelligence in airline operations, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, trade and tariffs affecting air cargo, passenger rights regulation and the growing operational challenges linked to geopolitical conflicts and restricted airspace.
One session will examine whether AI is “living up to its promises for airlines,” reflecting the increasing attention airlines are placing on automation, operational efficiency, customer experience and data-driven systems. Another panel will focus on the gap between Brazil’s SAF production potential and the airline industry’s growing fuel transition requirements, a topic gaining momentum as Latin America seeks to position itself within the emerging global SAF supply chain.
Geopolitical and regulatory pressures also feature prominently in the agenda. Discussions on securing airspace amid proliferating conflicts, as well as sessions dedicated to passenger rights, data governance and future regulation, point to the broader operational uncertainty airlines continue to face worldwide.
LATAM Airlines Group is expected to play a central role throughout the event. CEO Roberto Alvo is scheduled to participate in multiple sessions, including a dedicated LATAM media briefing, the AGM press briefing and the summit’s closing press conference.
The agenda also highlights the presence of major industry players across the aviation value chain, including Airbus, Boeing, CFM International and oneworld, underlining the AGM’s role not only as an airline gathering, but as a broader global aviation industry platform.
For Latin America and the Caribbean, the Rio edition of the AGM is expected to reinforce the region’s growing visibility within international aviation discussions at a time when connectivity, sustainability, infrastructure investment and operational resilience are becoming increasingly strategic for airlines and governments alike.
