The International Air Transport Association has confirmed that the 2026 edition of its World Data Symposium will be held in Singapore on April 8 and 9.
The announcement comes as IATA’s World Cargo Symposium in Lima, Peru reaches its conclusion, underlining the growing importance of data, digital systems and cybersecurity across the aviation sector.
According to IATA, the symposium will bring together leaders from data, technology and cybersecurity to exchange ideas and present real-world use cases across three major themes. These include the use of data to improve operational efficiency and strategic decision-making, strengthening cybersecurity readiness and resilience across the aviation value chain, and using artificial intelligence and automation to transform operational performance and enhance the passenger experience.
Kim Macaulay, IATA’s senior vice president information & data and chief information & data officer, described data as one of aviation’s most powerful strategic assets. She said the World Data Symposium has become an important platform where aviation and technology professionals can share expertise and accelerate progress toward a smarter, safer and more connected future.
The programme will feature sessions on topics such as digital transformation in aviation at CEO level, open AI in the aviation industry, digital resilience through agentic AI and cloud security, digital twins in airports and aviation, and the application of smart stadium technology to airport environments.
Data and IT have already been major discussion points throughout this week’s World Cargo Symposium in Lima. On March 12, IATA announced the launch of DG Digital, its new electronic Dangerous Goods Declaration solution.
At the same event, Ali Faddis, director global aviation operations at Amazon Global Air, said the company is already using generative AI to help monitor safety systems, support aircraft maintenance and improve recovery planning. She explained that the objective is not to remove humans from the process, but to use incoming data more effectively in order to make better decisions and improve preventative maintenance.
In another development announced during WCS, Awery Aviation Software became the first digital platform to integrate IATA’s CO2 Connect for Cargo emissions calculation tool, which is designed to provide the air cargo industry with standardised and accurate emissions data.
