The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host the joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) on 5–6 November 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye, with Turkish Airlines serving as host carrier. The event will bring together global leaders across aviation finance, payments, retailing, and digital identity.
“Aviation is on the cusp of a major transformation. New retailing models, disruptive payment technologies, and digital identity are reshaping how airlines serve customers and run their businesses. CFOs will be at the center of this shift,” said Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA Senior Vice President, Corporate Services & CFO.
Turkish Airlines CFO and Board Member Assoc. Prof. Murat Şeker added: “As the airline that connects more countries than any other, we are committed to leading the transformation of passenger travel and to remain at the forefront of innovation in finance, digital identity, and retailing.”
The 2025 event will feature the release of the Global Passenger Survey (GPS), providing fresh insights into traveler expectations, particularly around payments, retailing, and technology.
Program highlights include:
Presentation of the 2025 Global Passenger Survey results.
Why Payment Should Be on Your Board Agenda: addressing the USD 22 billion cost burden.
Putting the Customer First: unlocking value through finance, retailing, and operations.
Three focused tracks will explore innovations in retailing (Offers & Orders), finance and payments modernization, and digital identity applications such as biometrics and disruption management.
Confirmed speakers include:
Gary Liu, CEO, Antom, Ant International
Tamur Goudarzi Pour, EVP Strategy and Executive Committee Member, Lufthansa Group
Christine Rovelli, Chief Revenue Officer, Finnair
Prof. Murat Şeker, CFO and Board Member, Turkish Airlines
Kerem Kızıltunç, Chief Information Technology Officer, Turkish Airlines
