Aviation leaders set to gather in Istanbul

By Tuba Ongun

ANKARA (AA) - Leaders of the global aviation industry are set to gather in Istanbul for a three-day international event starting Sunday.

The 79th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit is hosted by Türkiye's low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines and co-hosted by AnadoluJet, a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines.

The event attracts the industry’s most senior leaders from among IATA’s more than 300 member airlines, besides senior government officials, strategic partners and equipment suppliers.

“In a few days, Istanbul will become the aviation capital of the world," Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, said in a statement on Friday.

Airlines will address the industry’s recovery from COVID-19, ways for more sustainable future, the opportunities for technology to drive efficiencies, and the common regulatory challenges they face, Walsh said.

The event is expected to set the direction for even more effective global connectivity, he added.

Mehmet Nane, chairperson of the Board of Directors of Pegasus Airlines and chair of the IATA Board of Governors, said: “Aviation came together to assist the people of Türkiye to rebuild after the tragic earthquake in February."

"Now aviation comes together to debate vital issues concerning our pathway to net-zero CO2 in 2050, the diversity of our industry, our operational recovery from the depths of COVID, and many other topics," Nane said.