Dubai to Welcome 80th IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit in June 2024

Saturday, June 1, 2024

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has declared that top leaders from the global airline sector will converge in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit, scheduled for June 2-4, 2024.

This marks the first time the UAE will host the event, with Emirates Airline serving as the host. An anticipated gathering of over 1,500 attendees, including industry leaders, government representatives, and members of the media, is expected.

His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy, will inaugurate the AGM with a keynote speech, welcoming delegates to Dubai.

“Dubai’s world-leading connectivity places it at the crossroads of the planet. And it will soon be the center of the airline industry’s leadership as it hosts the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“We look forward to hosting our industry colleagues in Dubai, Emirates’ home and hub. This is a city that has forged its place in global aviation and prospered, thanks to its visionary leaders and progressive policies that recognize air transport’s role as a key economic enabler. In line with this, last year aviation contributed 27% to Dubai’s GDP and supported $37 billion in gross value added.

There are always exciting new developments in Dubai, and I hope visiting delegates will get to a chance to experience this buzzing city and the UAE’s renowned hospitality for themselves,” said Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline.

World Air Transport Summit Overview

The World Air Transport Summit (WATS) takes place right after the AGM and features an extensive agenda that tackles key challenges within the aviation industry.

This year’s CEO Insights Panel will be moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest and includes:

• Vanessa Hudson, Group CEO and Managing Director, Qantas
• Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline
• Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines
• Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic Airways

Discussion points for WATS will cover:

• An overarching look at the difficulties the airline sector faces with evolving energy markets, a complicated global geopolitical landscape, and changing supply chains and trade patterns.
• The role of artificial intelligence in aviation.
• Progress in sustainability through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and carbon capture initiatives.
• Enhancing collaboration between the aviation and tourism sectors.
• Future trends in air cargo.

A highlight of the program will be the fifth IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards, which celebrate organizations and individuals leading in the 25by2025 initiative to enhance gender balance within the aviation sector.

The program will be anchored by discussions on the benefits of global connectivity.

Aviation is a major global employer, directly providing jobs for 3 million people and playing a crucial role in the travel and tourism sector, which sustains approximately 320 million jobs and generates about 10% of global economic output. Air cargo also plays a significant role, facilitating $8.3 trillion in annual trade, which represents 35% of all global trade. For Dubai, a study by Oxford Economics found that aviation contributed 27% to its GDP and added $37 billion in gross value in 2023, with projections to rise to $53 billion by 2030 as Dubai continues to grow.

Additionally, aviation supports 15 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.