IATA Chief Urges Passengers Not to Take Carry-On Bags During Evacuations

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), called for strict adherence to aviation safety rules and expressed concern over a growing trend of passengers taking carry-on luggage during aircraft evacuations.

“If you are instructed to leave the aircraft, you must exit as quickly as possible. Nothing in your carry-on is more valuable than your life,” Walsh emphasized. He described the behavior of passengers stopping to retrieve items from overhead compartments as “shocking,” noting that it endangers both themselves and others.

The IATA chief also stressed that governments need to promptly investigate all incidents and accidents in accordance with ICAO Annex 13, providing reports that are critical for maintaining ongoing safety in the aviation sector.

The association plans to conduct additional research in 2026 to better understand the phenomenon of passengers taking carry-on luggage during evacuations, which, according to Walsh, is becoming increasingly common.