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The Annual General Assembly 82 from THERE IT IS begins in Rio de Janeiro with an agenda marked by challenges regarding fuel prices and sustainability.
The global airline industry has gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the occasion of the 82nd Annual General Assembly (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (THERE IT IS) and the World Air Transport Summit (WATS), event that takes place between 6 and the 8 June 2026.
IATA AGM begins in Rio
This meeting marks a historic milestone, since it is the first time that the AGM returns to South America since 1999, year in which it was also held in the same Brazilian city and where the current format of the World Air Transport Summit was established. on this occasion, LATAM Airlines Group acts as host airline, receiving about 1.500 industry leaders, government authorities and specialized media from around the world.
The potential of aviation in Brazil
During the opening of the event, Willie Walsh, CEO of THERE IT IS, highlighted the importance of resuming dialogue in this region after 27 years. «Brazil has made significant investments in aeronautical infrastructure. With enormous tourist resources, a great potential for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (PURE) and a growing export sector, Strengthening air connectivity is a winning bet for employment, commerce and the economy, Walsh noted..
The numbers support this view.. According to the Aviation Value Report THERE IT IS, the sector in Brazil employs 246.800 people directly, generating 10.300 million dollars in economic value. When considering the entire value chain and the impact on tourism, the figure increases to 1,9 million jobs and a contribution of 46.400 millions of dollars to national GDP (equivalent to 2,1%).
The Brazilian market is going through a solid moment: on 2025, domestic traffic exceeded for the first time 100 million passengers, while international demand grew by 17% with respect to 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic figures of 2019.
Roberto Alvo, CEO de LATAM Airlines Group, expressed the company's pride in leading this event: «It is a great opportunity to inspire the conditions that allow aviation in Brazil and throughout South America to be an even greater catalyst for development».
A high-level agenda at WATS
After the assembly, the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) will address the most critical challenges facing the sector today. Among the most anticipated points is the CEO panel moderated by Richard Quest (CNN), which will have the participation of the top executives of TAP Air Portugal, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines y Abra.
The main topics of discussion include:
- Sustainability: How to close the gap between SAF production potential in Brazil and actual airline demand.
- Airspace management: Strategies to guarantee growth in an environment of geopolitical conflicts.
- Operating environment: The role of air cargo in the face of current trade and tariff dynamics.
- innovation: Is Artificial Intelligence meeting the promised expectations for the industry?
- Passenger experience: Psychology in stressful situations, Traveler rights and new regulatory perspectives.
What's more, The event will be the setting for the eighth edition of the Awards THERE IT IS to Diversity and Inclusion, recognizing the efforts of organizations and individuals that promote gender balance through the 25by2025 initiative.
From Rio de Janeiro, We will closely follow the results of this summit that sets the course of aviation for the coming years.
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