Xiamen to host IATA Annual General Meeting in 2027

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that its 83rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) will be held in the Chinese city of Xiamen from 30 May to 1 June 2027. The event will be hosted by Xiamen Airlines.

The decision to hold the global aviation industry's largest forum in Xiamen was taken at the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting currently taking place in Rio de Janeiro.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh said China is one of the key participants in the global aviation market. According to Walsh, Chinese airlines rank among the world’s leaders in passenger traffic, while the country is actively implementing advanced technologies and digital solutions to improve industry efficiency. He said holding the AGM in China would give aviation leaders an opportunity to observe the dynamic development of the country's aviation market.

Zhao Dong, Chairman of the Board of Xiamen Airlines, said it was a great honour for the airline to welcome representatives of the global aviation industry to its home city. He noted that Xiamen has historically played an important role as a seaport and as a link between China and other countries.

Xiamen Airlines Chief Executive Officer and President Xie Bing said the opening of the new Xiang'an International Airport later this year would further strengthen Xiamen’s position as an important transportation and business hub. He added that forum participants would have an opportunity to experience the city’s cultural heritage, coastline and local way of life.

China will host the IATA Annual General Meeting for the third time. The forum was previously held in Shanghai in 2002 and in Beijing in 2012. Xiamen will become the first host city outside those two locations to stage the aviation industry's flagship international gathering.