Airline leaders assemble for IATA AGM in Delhi

India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, is expected to deliver a keynote address to delegates.

IndiGo is the host airline of the event, which was last held in India in 1983. Some 1,700 participants are registered to attend, including industry leaders, government officials and media.

“We are excited to bring the IATA AGM to India after a 42-year gap. India’s place in global aviation has changed dramatically, particularly over the last decade,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

“The country has seen record aircraft orders, impressive growth, and world class infrastructure developments. The AGM will allow aviation leaders and journalists from around the world to witness first-hand how India’s rapidly modernising and expanding aviation sector is contributing to the country’s overall economic and social development.”

India’s aviation industry directly employs 369,700 people and generates $5.6 billion of GDP. When indirect, induced and tourism impacts are included, the totals rise to 7.7 million jobs and $53.6 billion of GDP (1.5%).

“As the host airline of the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting, IndiGo warmly welcomes the global airline community to India,” said Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo and Chair of the IATA Board of Governors.

“Aviation is a powerful force for good worldwide, and that is particularly evident in India. India’s aviation market is rapidly thriving while significantly contributing to the country’s socio-economic growth and IndiGo is at the forefront of this upward trajectory.”

Global issues are also on the meeting agenda, with trade tensions caused by U.S.-imposed tariffs at the very top. Airlines have been observing slower growth or even demand contraction in some markets, including domestic U.S., in sharp contrast to developments in India, said Aviation Week.

IATA will publish its latest forecast for 2025 industry revenues and profits on June 2. Given recent demand weakness, revenues could rise slower than forecast at the end of 2024. However, fuel expenses are also lower than predicted.

At the meeting, IATA is expected to highlight the slow progress of the industry to become more sustainable, an issue that it says is due to insufficient, erratic government support and energy companies still prioritising fossil fuel production.

Aircraft delivery delays are still persisting, much to the frustration of airlines, although aerospace industry executives have pointed to improvements in their supply chain. That positive trend could be reverted by the impact of trade and tariff disputes.