By Samuel Ssenono
Global aviation leaders are gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 82nd International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, at a time when airlines are navigating airspace closures, conflict-related route disruptions, rising costs and pressure to decarbonise.
The meeting, scheduled for 6 to 8 June 2026, brings together airline executives, government officials, industry players and media from across the world.
IATA says about 1,500 participants are expected to attend the event, hosted by LATAM Airlines Group.
This is the first time in 27 years that the IATA AGM is returning to South America. The last AGM held on the continent took place in 1999, also in Rio de Janeiro.
That 1999 meeting marked the formal introduction of the World Air Transport Summit format, which helped position the IATA AGM as one of the aviation industry’s leading platforms for high-level debate on the major issues shaping air transport.
The Rio meeting comes as airlines continue to adjust their networks around closed or restricted airspace in parts of the world, a challenge that has forced longer flight routings, higher fuel burn and added pressure on operating costs.
The industry is also under growing pressure to secure sustainable aviation fuel, modernise infrastructure, keep fares commercially viable and support stronger international connectivity.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said the return to South America comes at a time when the region has made major investments in aviation infrastructure.
“We are thrilled to meet in South America after 27 years. Over the past decades the entire region has made significant investments in aviation infrastructure, positioning the continent to benefit economically and socially from air connectivity,” Walsh said.
He said Brazil’s aviation sector is already making a strong contribution to the economy, with the industry supporting 2.1% of the country’s GDP.
Walsh said Brazil has rich tourism resources, strong potential for Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and growing exports, placing the country in a strong position to benefit further from improved air connectivity.
“With rich tourism resources, enormous SAF production potential, and growing exports, the potential to further strengthen Brazil’s air connectivity is a winning proposition for people, jobs, trade, and the wider economy,” Walsh said.
He said the meeting will focus on policies and reforms needed to unlock Brazil’s aviation potential, while also addressing some of the most pressing global issues facing the industry.
Brazil has continued to strengthen its position as South America’s leading aviation market. In 2025, the country received nine million international visitors.
According to IATA’s Value of Aviation Report, Brazil’s aviation sector, including airlines, airport operators, onsite airport businesses, air navigation service providers and manufacturers, employs 246,800 people.
The sector generates USD 10.3 billion in economic output, equivalent to 0.5% of Brazil’s GDP.
When the wider aviation value chain is included, covering employee spending and tourism activity, aviation supports 1.9 million jobs in Brazil and contributes USD 46.4 billion to GDP, equivalent to 2.1%.
Demand for air travel in Brazil also remains strong. In 2025, the country recorded an 11.5% year-on-year growth in total passenger demand, with both domestic and international markets moving above pre-pandemic levels.
Domestic traffic crossed 100 million passengers for the first time, while international demand grew by 17% compared to 2024. International traffic also gained 20.4 percentage points on 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
LATAM Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Roberto Alvo said the airline is honoured to host the global aviation community in Brazil.
“As the host airline of the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting, LATAM Airlines Group is honored to welcome members of the global aviation community to Brazil,” Alvo said.
He said delegates will find an aviation market that is playing an important role in Brazil’s economic development.
“In Brazil, they will see an aviation market that is contributing significantly to the country’s economic development. LATAM Airlines Group is proud to be a key player in that progress which is changing people’s lives for the better,” he said.
Alvo said the meeting offers an opportunity to strengthen the conditions needed to make aviation in Brazil and across South America an even stronger driver of growth and development.
“The event is a great opportunity to inspire the conditions to make aviation in Brazil and across South America an even greater catalyst for growth and development,” he added.
