The International Air Transport Association (IATA, an association representing approximately 350 carriers worldwide, covering over 80% of global air traffic), has announced that its 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2026, hosted by Latam Airlines Group.

"The last IATA AGM held in South America was in 1999, also in Rio. 2026 will be an excellent opportunity to take stock of the changes that have occurred over two decades of development, which have seen the strengthening of air connectivity successfully support major global events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. Meeting in the largest aviation market in South America, the Annual General Meeting will highlight the great potential of aviation to become an even more powerful strategic force, a driver of social and economic prosperity", stated Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.

The Latam Group connects people and cultures throughout South America and beyond, with 153 destinations across 27 countries. In 2024, it transported a record number of 82 million passengers and achieved significant milestones in fleet modernization and environmental sustainability. "Hosting the AGM in Rio de Janeiro reflects Brazil's rich aeronautical history, which dates back to the pioneering efforts of Alberto Santos-Dumont, celebrated as one of the fathers of aviation. His historic 1906 flight marked a significant milestone in the development of powered flight, not only in Latin America but worldwide", reads an official statement.

Previous IATA AGMs in Brazil were held in Petropolis (1947) and Rio de Janeiro in 1999. For the 2025 Assembly concluding today in New Delhi, India, see the articles on AVIONEWS and related links.