The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced two significant developments highlighting India’s rising prominence in the global aviation sector. Pieter Elbers will lead the IATA Board and IndiGo is to all set t host the 81st IATA AGM in Delhi next year when the marquee event returns to India after 42 years.
Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, assumed his duties as Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG) following the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dubai. An industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, Elbers is the 82nd Chair of the IATA BoG. He served earlier on the BoG between 2016 and 2022 as KLM’s President and CEO and was reappointed to the Board in 2022 shortly after he became IndiGo’s CEO. He emphasized India’s contribution to aviation’s growth and pledged to work towards a more sustainable and inclusive industry.
“It is indeed an honour to assume this role at a time when India is emerging as one of the world’s largest and fastest growing civil aviation markets and evolving into a formidable force in the airline industry. Adhering to IATA’s legacy of aviation as a force for good, we will continue in our focus of highlighting the benefits of aviation in building connections, augmenting trade, tourism and mobility—benefits also so visible in India. At the same time, it is imperative that we persist in our commitment towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive and also more sustainable aviation industry, creating positive change for generations to come. IATA plays a pivotal role in establishing global standards; I am eager to continue collaborating with global industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders towards our collective goals,” said Elbers. IndiGo to host 81st IATA AGM in Delhi
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, will host the prestigious 81st IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit in Delhi in June 2025. This marks the third time India will host the AGM, showcasing its journey as a major aviation player. IATA Director General Willie Walsh lauded India’s impressive growth and infrastructure development, positioning it to become the world’s third-largest aviation market.
The influential International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents more than 300 airlines and over 80 per cent of global air traffic, holds its annual meeting on June 2-4 in Dubai, the world’s busiest international hub. Aviation leaders have said the pandemic that grounded most of the world’s fleet and ravaged airline balance sheets at the start of the decade is finally in the rear-view mirror.
“We look forward to gathering the aviation industry in Delhi, India’s gateway city, for the 81st IATA AGM in 2025. It’s been over four decades since the industry came together for an IATA AGM in Delhi. With record aircraft orders, impressive growth, and world-class infrastructure developments, India is firmly on the trajectory to become the world’s third largest aviation market within this decade. With such bright prospects, it’s the perfect time for the IATA AGM to return to India and witness these exciting developments first hand,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Pieter Elbers, now serving in a dual role as IndiGo CEO and IATA Chair, expressed his pride in hosting the event. He emphasised the importance of fostering meaningful discussions on critical issues like sustainability, diversity and efficient air travel solutions to meet the growing global demand.
“IndiGo is proud to be host airline for the 81st IATA AGM and looks forward to welcoming the global aviation community to Delhi in 2025. India, becoming the third largest economy within the next few years and leading the fourth industrial revolution with the use of AI, is a nation on the move. India’s rise in the global aviation landscape over the last years has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo.
These announcements create a powerful synergy. Elbers leadership at IATA, coupled with IndiGo hosting the prestigious AGM in India, positions the country at the forefront of shaping the global aviation landscape. India’s rapid aviation expansion, driven by airlines like IndiGo, is a clear indicator of its ambition to become a major player in the industry. Hosting the AGM is expected to bring significant benefits to India, including increased foreign investment, tourism opportunities and a chance to showcase its advancements in aviation technology and infrastructure.
