IATA to bring airline finance, retailing and passenger experience leaders together in Macao

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will bring together airline executives and aviation industry leaders in Macao on 28–29 October 2026 for the joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS).

Held under the theme “From Vision to Value: The Next Era of Air Travel,” the event will focus on how airlines can turn developments in artificial intelligence, digital identity, modern airline retailing and new payment technologies into tangible improvements for both their businesses and passengers.

“Artificial intelligence, modern airline retailing, digital identity, and new payment solutions have enormous potential to transform how airlines operate and how people experience air travel,” said Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s Interim Director General, Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, and CFO. “Turning that potential into real value drives the WFS/WPS agenda.”

According to IATA, airline leaders from finance, commercial, operations and customer experience functions will discuss technologies and processes that are already delivering results, as well as remaining challenges around implementation, efficiency and resilience.

Program highlights

The symposium will open with remarks from Le Borgne and Stanley Pun, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Macao SAR. The opening program will also include the IATA Industry Economic Outlook and the results of the 2026 IATA Global Passenger Survey.

The program is divided into three specialized tracks:

• Retail and Distribution (Offers & Orders): Examining the implementation of Offers and Orders, lessons from airlines that are already adopting the approach, and how artificial intelligence could enable more relevant offers and customer experiences.
• Financial Services and Processing: Addressing volatility and financial performance, including hedging and financial risk management, payment costs and the transition from traditional tickets towards an order-based model.
• Passenger Experience and Accessibility: Exploring the wider use of digital identity and biometrics, as well as improvements to border and baggage processes aimed at making air travel simpler and more accessible.

China in focus

China will have a prominent role in the program, with senior Chinese airline executives discussing how digital innovation, modern airline retailing, Offers and Orders, and IATA’s One ID initiative can support the continued development of the Chinese aviation market.

The speaker lineup includes Stanley Pun, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Macao SAR; Tim Yu, President of Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd.; Tamur Goudarzi Pour, EVP Strategy and Member of the Executive Committee at Lufthansa Group; Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India; Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial & Customer Officer at Kenya Airways; Stefan Vanovermeir, SVP Distribution at Air France-KLM; and Uku Sarekanno, Deputy Executive Director of Frontex.

The joint WFS/WPS will take place in Macao on 28–29 October 2026.

View the full WFS/WPS 2026 program

More information and registration for WFS/WPS 2026

Aviation24.be is a media partner of WFS/WPS 2026