The International Air Transport Association has chosen Xiamen Airlines to host the 83rd IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Xiamen, China, from 30 May to 1 June 2027.
The meeting will bring global aviation leaders to China as the country continues to play a major role in passenger traffic and aviation technology. IATA said the event will give delegates a chance to see the development of the China market first-hand.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said: “We are excited to bring the 83rd IATA AGM to China, hosted by Xiamen Airlines.”
He added: “China is a major player in the aviation industry. China’s airlines are among the top airlines by passenger traffic in the world. And the country is at the forefront of how technology and digitalization can be deployed to improve efficiency.”
The AGM is one of the most important annual gatherings in global aviation and usually draws senior executives, airline chiefs and industry officials from around the world. The 2027 edition will be the 83rd time the association has held the meeting, underlining its long-running role in setting the agenda for the sector.
Xiamen Airlines, based in southeastern China, will act as host carrier for the event. The airline is part of China’s wider aviation network, which has grown sharply in recent years as domestic and international travel recovered and expanded.
IATA said the decision reflects China’s influence in the air transport industry. The association highlighted the country’s scale in passenger numbers and its use of digital tools and new technology to improve airline operations and efficiency.
The World Air Transport Summit is held alongside the AGM and typically focuses on the main challenges facing airlines, including demand, sustainability, costs, regulation and innovation. Those topics are expected to feature again in Xiamen in 2027.
For China, hosting the meeting offers a chance to showcase its aviation infrastructure and airline sector to an international audience. For IATA members, it provides a platform to debate the direction of global air travel at a time of continued change across the industry.
The announcement also places Xiamen on the map for one of the aviation calendar’s most closely watched events. Travel, trade and business attention often follows the annual meeting, which is used by airlines to shape policy discussions and network relationships.
The 2027 AGM will take place as airlines continue to deal with rising demand, technology upgrades and pressure to improve efficiency across their fleets and operations. IATA’s choice of host city suggests China will remain central to that conversation.
