(Posted 23rd September 2026)
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold the joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) on 28–29 October 2026 in Macao (SAR), China. Under the theme “From Vision to Value: The Next Era of Air Travel,” the event will bring together leaders from across airline retailing, finance, and passenger experience.
“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. Turning that potential into real value drives the WFS/WPS agenda. Airline leaders from across finance, commercial, operations, and customer experience will explore what is delivering results today, where challenges remain, and how the industry can accelerate innovation to improve the passenger journey while strengthening business performance, efficiency, and resilience,” said Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s Interim Director General, Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, and CFO.
Program Highlights
The symposium will open with remarks from Le Borgne and Stanley Pun, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao, followed by the IATA Industry Economic Outlook and the results of the 2026 IATA Global Passenger Survey.
In addition, three specialized tracks will explore:
Putting Offers and Orders into practice, drawing on lessons from airlines, and exploring how AI could support more relevant offers and customer experiences.
- Financial Services and Processing: Managing volatility and protecting financial performance, including through hedging and financial risk management, controlling payment costs, and adapting financial processes for the move from tickets to orders.
- Passenger Experience and Accessibility: Moving digital identity and biometrics into wider use, improving border and baggage processes, and making travel simpler and more accessible.
> View the full WFS/WPS 2026 program
> More information on WFS/WPS 2026
> Register for WFS/WPS 2026
China Focus
China will feature prominently in the WFS/WPS program. Senior Chinese airline leaders will discuss how the China market using digital innovation, modern airline retailing, Offers and Orders, and One ID to underpin the industry’s well-established successful growth trajectory.
Speakers
- Stanley Pun, President, Civil Aviation Authority of the Macao SAR
- Tim Yu, President, Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd.
- Tamur Goudarzi Pour, EVP Strategy & Member of Executive Committee, Lufthansa Group
- Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India
- Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial & Customer Officer, Kenya Airways
- Stefan Vanovermeir, SVP Distribution, Air France/KLM
- Uku Sarekanno, Deputy Executive Director, Frontex
