The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that global aviation industry leaders will gather for the 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in New Delhi, India, from June 1 to 3, 2025.

Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will deliver the opening address to the delegates. The national carrier IndiGo will host the event, the last edition of which held in India dates back to 1983. Registered participants, including industry leaders, government officials, and media, number approximately 1,700.

"India’s role in global aviation has changed dramatically, particularly in the last decade. The country has recorded record aircraft orders, impressive growth, and world-class infrastructure developments. The Annual General Meeting will enable aviation stakeholders and journalists worldwide to witness firsthand how the rapidly modernizing and expanding Indian aviation sector is contributing to the country’s overall economic and social development", stated Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA.

The Indian aviation industry directly employs 369,700 people and generates a GDP of 5.6 billion dollars. Including indirect, induced, and tourism impacts, the total rises to 7.7 million jobs and 53.6 billion dollars of GDP (1.5%). "As the host airline for the 81st Iata Agm, we warmly welcome the global aviation community to India. Aviation is a powerful positive force worldwide, and this is particularly evident in India", declared Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo and Chairman of the Iata Board.

World Air Transport Summit (WATS)

The WATS, taking place immediately after the Annual General Meeting, will address key issues affecting the aviation sector. The popular CEO panel will feature Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo; Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue; Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of Abra Group; Richard Smith, COO International and CEO of FedEx Air Carrier.

Key topics discussed at Wats include:
- Financial outlook for the aviation sector
- How India is strategically utilizing aviation to drive development
- The relationship between energy security, renewable energies, and sustainable aviation fuel production
- Financing net-zero aviation
- The cost of payment and potential innovations
- The Chief Operations Officer’s perspective

A highlight of the program is the sixth edition of the Iata Diversity & Inclusion Awards. These honor individuals and organizations promoting gender balance in the sector through the 25by2025 initiative. 

Below we publish the PDF with the complete AGM program: