The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold the joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) in Macao (SAR), China, on 28–29 October 2026. IATA WFS/WPS 2026 will focus on airline retailing, finance and passenger experience under the theme “From Vision to Value: The Next Era of Air Travel.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold the joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) on 28–29 October 2026 in Macao (SAR), China. Under the theme “From Vision to Value: The Next Era of Air Travel,” the event will bring together leaders from across airline retailing, finance, and passenger experience.
“Artificial intelligence, modern airline retailing, digital identity, and new payment solutions have enormous potential to transform how airlines operate and how people experience air travel. Turning that potential into real value drives the WFS/WPS agenda. Airline leaders from across finance, commercial, operations, and customer experience will explore what is delivering results today, where challenges remain, and how the industry can accelerate innovation to improve the passenger journey while strengthening business performance, efficiency, and resilience,” said Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s Interim Director General, Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, and CFO.
Program Highlights
The symposium will open with remarks from Le Borgne and Stanley Pun, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao, followed by the IATA Industry Economic Outlook and the results of the 2026 IATA Global Passenger Survey.
In addition, three specialized tracks will explore:
Retail and Distribution (Offers & Orders): Putting Offers and Orders into practice, drawing on lessons from airlines, and exploring how AI could support more relevant offers and customer experiences.
Financial Services and Processing: Managing volatility and protecting financial performance, including through hedging and financial risk management, controlling payment costs, and adapting financial processes for the move from tickets to orders.
Passenger Experience and Accessibility: Moving digital identity and biometrics into wider use, improving border and baggage processes, and making travel simpler and more accessible.
China Focus
China will feature prominently in the WFS/WPS program. Senior Chinese airline leaders will discuss how the China market using digital innovation, modern airline retailing, Offers and Orders, and One ID to underpin the industry’s well-established successful growth trajectory.
Speakers
Stanley Pun, President, Civil Aviation Authority of the Macao SAR
Fangxing Fu, CFO, China National Aviation Holding Corporation Limited
Tim Yu, President, Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd.
Tamur Goudarzi Pour, EVP Strategy & Member of Executive Committee, Lufthansa Group
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India
Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial & Customer Officer, Kenya Airways
Uku Sarekanno, Deputy Executive Director, Frontex
> View the full WFS/WPS 2026 program (pdf)
> Find out more and register for WFS/WPS 2026
- Organiser
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- Event
- Joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS)
- Dates
- 28–29 October 2026
- Location
- Macao (SAR), China
- Theme
- From Vision to Value: The Next Era of Air Travel
- Focus
- Airline retailing, finance and passenger experience
Fast facts
When and where will IATA WFS/WPS 2026 take place?
The joint symposium will take place on 28–29 October 2026 in Macao (SAR), China.
What are the three programme tracks?
The tracks are Retail and Distribution (Offers & Orders), Financial Services and Processing, and Passenger Experience and Accessibility.
What will the China-focused discussions cover?
Senior Chinese airline leaders will discuss digital innovation, modern airline retailing, Offers and Orders, and One ID in China’s airline market.
What will the opening programme include?
Opening remarks from Sandrine Le Borgne and Stanley Pun will be followed by the IATA Industry Economic Outlook and results of the 2026 IATA Global Passenger Survey.