From June 1 to 3, New Delhi is hosting the 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) along with the World Air Transport Summit (WATS). For the first time in 42 years, this high-profile global aviation event returns to India — a country that has experienced a remarkable aviation boom over the past decade.
India’s Aviation Ascent Takes Center Stage
The event is organized by IATA, with IndiGo — India’s largest airline — serving as the host airline. Around 1,700 participants are attending, including airline executives, government officials, regulators, and media representatives. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver the keynote address.
“We are excited to bring the AGM back to India after a 42-year gap. India has witnessed tremendous growth, record aircraft orders, and world-class infrastructure investments. This is a unique opportunity for the global aviation community to see how aviation is driving India’s social and economic development,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
India’s aviation sector directly supports 369,700 jobs and contributes $5.6 billion to GDP. When including tourism and related impacts, the figures rise to 7.7 million jobs and $53.6 billion in GDP, equivalent to 1.5% of the country’s economy.
Kazakhstan’s Role in the Global Aviation Dialogue
Among the notable international participants is Peter Foster, President of Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier and one of the most respected regional airlines in Eurasia.
@Air Astana
Kazakhstan has been rapidly modernizing its aviation infrastructure, with more than 20 airports in operation and growing international connectivity. In 2023, Kazakh airports handled over 10 million passengers. The country’s participation in the IATA AGM reflects its strategic ambitions to integrate more deeply into the global aviation network and attract investment into the sector.
WATS: The Future of Air Transport
Following the AGM, the World Air Transport Summit will tackle critical topics facing the industry:
- Financial outlook for airlines
- How India is leveraging aviation for national development
- Energy security and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production
- Financing the industry’s net-zero goals
- Innovations in payments and operations
One of the highlights will be the CEO Panel, moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest, featuring Pieter Elbers (IndiGo), Joanna Geraghty (JetBlue), Adrian Neuhauser (Abra Group), and Richard Smith (FedEx).
The summit will also feature the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards, recognizing leadership and progress under the 25by2025 initiative to promote gender balance in aviation.
India: The World’s Third-Busiest Aviation Market
According to IATA’s AirportIS data, India is now the third-largest aviation market globally. More than 200 million passengers travel through its 150+ airports annually. In the year ending March 2025, India saw 176.4 million air journeys, a 9% increase from the previous year. 137.7 million of these were domestic flights, with top routes including Mumbai–Delhi, Bengaluru–Delhi, and Bengaluru–Mumbai.
International traffic also saw growth, reaching 38.6 million passengers in Q1 2025 (up 11%). The UAE led as the top international destination with 7.7 million travelers, followed by the US (3.6 million) and Saudi Arabia (3.4 million).
India’s Moment and a Global Opportunity
“The AGM is not just a place for reflection — it’s a platform for facing future challenges, from economic pressures to geopolitical shifts and technological change. India’s connectivity growth is nothing short of phenomenal, and this gathering comes at exactly the right moment,” said Willie Walsh.
The IATA AGM 2025 in New Delhi highlights not only India’s transformation into an aviation powerhouse, but also the global collaboration needed to shape the future of air transport — with countries like Kazakhstan playing an increasingly active role.
