THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that the global airline industry leaders will convene in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit from June 2-4, 2024.

This marks the first time the event is being hosted in the UAE, with Emirates Airline taking the lead as the host. The gathering anticipates over 1,500 participants, including industry leaders, government officials, and media representatives.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy, is set to kick off the AGM with an opening keynote address, welcoming delegates to Dubai.

"Dubai's exceptional connectivity makes it a global hub, positioning it at the forefront of the airline industry. Hosting the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit further solidifies its standing," stated Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.

Adding: "We eagerly anticipate welcoming our industry peers to Dubai, the home and hub of Emirates. This city has established itself as a prominent figure in global aviation, thriving under the guidance of visionary leaders and progressive policies that acknowledge the pivotal role of air transport in economic growth. Notably, aviation contributed 27 percent to Dubai's GDP last year, supporting $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.

The World Air Transport Summit (WATS) immediately follows the AGM for a comprehensive program addressing the critical issues facing aviation.

“The commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will top the agenda of the 80th IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit. We will explore solutions to accelerate progress, particularly with the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the potential for carbon removals. We’ll also take stock of our progress on safety, financial sustainability, and other key industry topics. It’s important that we put these challenges on the table so that all stakeholders, including governments, have a clear understanding of what airlines need to connect people and economies safely, efficiently, and ever more sustainably,” said Walsh.

Key topics to be addressed in the WATS includes the following; A ‘Big Picture’ view of challenges facing the airline industry with changing energy markets, an increasingly complex global geopolitical situation, and shifting supply chains/trade patterns.

Others includes, the potential for AI in aviation, advancing sustainability with SAF and carbon removals, how aviation and tourism can work better together, and the prospects for air cargo.

A program highlight will be the fifth edition of the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards. These awards recognize organizations and individuals who are making a leadership contribution to the 25by2025 initiative to improve the gender balance in aviation.

The benefits of global connectivity is a topic that will underpin the entire program.

Globally aviation directly employs 3 million people and is a key enabling part of the travel and tourism value chain which supports some 320 million jobs and accounts for about 10 percent of all economic activity. Moreover, air cargo delivers $8.3 trillion of trade annually—some 35 percent of total trade.

For Dubai, Oxford Economics estimates that aviation contributed 27 percent to Dubai’s GDP and supported $37 billion in gross value added in 2023. This is projected to increase to $53 billion dollars in 2030, in line with Dubai’s growth.

On the other hand, aviation contributes to achieving 15 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).