IATA World Cargo Symposium 2026: Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 2026 World Cargo Symposium (WCS) will focus on “Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World”. Under this theme, the symposium will take stock of changing global trade conditions as it examines regulatory priorities, developments in special cargo, and progress on digitalization in specialized streams. WCS will be held in Lima, Peru from 10 to 12 March hosted by LATAM Cargo. It is the first time the event will be held in South America.

“Tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty have reshaped global trade and supply chains. The 3.4% growth pattern in air cargo demand in 2025 was strongly influenced by these developments and we can expect more of the same for 2026. This year’s WCS will focus on further strengthening air cargo’s ability to respond quickly and effectively as trade lanes shift and the value of speed and reliability across the supply chain grows,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“Air cargo plays a vital role in connecting South America to global markets and supporting the region’s trade and economic development. Hosting the World Cargo Symposium in South America for the first time is a recognition of the region’s growing importance in global air cargo. LATAM Cargo is proud to support a forum that brings the industry together to advance regulatory priorities, digitalization, and the evolving demands of special cargo in a dynamic global environment. We look forward to connecting with our partners and stakeholders in Lima to drive meaningful progress across the industry,” said Andres Bianchi, Chief Executive Officer, LATAM Cargo.

Speakers & Sessions

Walsh and Bianchi will be speaking at the event along with:

• Teresa Mera Gómez, Minister of Trade & Tourism for Peru
• Roberto Alvo, Chief Executive Officer, LATAM Airlines Group
• Ali Faddis, Director Global Aviation Operations, Amazon Global Air Technology & Infrastructure
• Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo
• Julia Seiermann, IATA’s Head of Industry Analysis

In addition to its main conference streams (digitalization, regulation, and special cargo), WCS will feature three spotlight sessions exploring practical pathways for the supply chain to: improve sustainability practices, accelerate the adoption of new technologies and processes, and enhance operational efficiency and resilience.