While IATA’s World Cargo Symposium (WCS) comes to a close in Lima, Peru, the air transport association has simultaneously confirmed that it will hold its 2026 edition of the World Data Symposium (WDS) in Singapore on April 8-9.
The Symposium will bring together data, technology and cybersecurity leaders to share ideas and showcase real-use cases around three themes driving transformation in aviation:
- Using data to drive operational efficiency and stronger strategic decision-making
- Strengthening cybersecurity readiness and resilience across the entire aviation value chain
- Leveraging AI and automation to transform operational performance and enhance passenger experience
“Data is one of aviation’s most powerful strategic assets,” declared Kim Macaulay, IATA’s senior vice president information & data and chief information & data officer.
“The IATA World Data Symposium is where aviation and technology professionals share expertise and accelerate progress toward a smarter, safer and more connected future.
“WDS is an important check-in where those driving digital innovation can take stock of global developments.”
The WDS programme will include sessions on issues such as:
- CEO Panel: Digital Transformation in Aviation
- Open AI in the Aviation Industry
- Securing the Digital Flight Path: Agentic AI, Cloud Security, and Aviation Resilience
- Digital Twins in Aviation and Airports
- Navigating Today’s Turbulence, Securing Tomorrow’s Skies
- From Arenas to Airports: How Smart Stadium Tech Can Inspire Aviation
There has been plenty of focus on data and IT more generally in this week’s WCS.
For example, yesterday (March 12), IATA announced from Lima the launch of DG Digital, its new electronic Dangerous Goods Declaration solution.
Also at WCS, Ali Faddis, director global aviation operations at Amazon Global Air, was asked about the company’s use of Generative AI (GenAi) technology.
She said that Amazon Air is utilising GenAi to help monitor safety systems, to inform aircraft maintenance and for recovery planning.
For example, Faddis noted: “We can monitor safety systems [using GenAi].
“That doesn’t mean we are fully taking the human out, but if we are having data come in, we can monitor that data and use it to make good decisions.
“We are also seeing a lot of positive output from using data for preventative maintenance.”
Plus, Awery Aviation Software has become, in a move announced at WCS this week, the first digital platform to integrate IATA’s CO2 Connect for Cargo emissions calculations tool.
CO2 Connect for Cargo is designed to provide the air cargo industry with standardised, accurate emissions data.
