The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will maintain the 2026 version of its World Data Symposium (WDS) in Singapore on eighth and ninth April.
The upcoming Symposium will convey collectively information, know-how, and cybersecurity leaders to share concepts and showcase actual use instances round three themes driving transformation in aviation:
- Using information to drive operational effectivity and stronger strategic decision-making;.
- Strengthening cybersecurity readiness and resilience throughout the whole aviation worth chain; and.
- Leveraging AI and automation to rework operational efficiency and improve passenger expertise.
According to IATA senior vice-president for data and information Kim Macaulay: “Data is one of aviation’s most powerful strategic assets. The IATA World Data Symposium is where aviation and technology professionals share expertise and accelerate progress toward a smarter, safer, and more connected future. Two timely focus areas for this second edition will look at how AI fits into aviation’s digital future, and deep dive into making aviation more cyber-resilient. As the pace of digital innovation accelerates, WDS is an important check-in where those driving digital innovation can take stock of global developments.”
What to anticipate at WDS 2026
Looking into the important thing points in additional particulars, the WDS program will embrace the next classes:
- CEO Panel: Digital Transformation in Aviation
- Open AI within 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
- Okay-innovation Stories from Korea
At the identical time, official airline companion Singapore Airlines will be part of the discussions with contributions from chief govt Goh Choon Phong, in addition to senior vice-president for data know-how George Wang.
The IATA crew will embrace director-general Willie Walsh, Kim Macaulay, and senior vice-president and chief economist Marie Owens Tomsen.
Other audio system are as follows:
- Capt. Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President & Group CEO, Malaysia Aviation Group
- Chai Eamsiri, Chief Executive Officer, Thai Airways
- Olivier Beaujean, VP & Chief Information Officer, Cargolux
- Masaya Fukushima, Vice President of System Management Department, Japan Airlines
- Pratik Patel, Global VP Customer Operations, DHL Global Forwarding
- Yanling Liu, SVP Airport Ops and Transformation, Changi Airport Group
- Bum-ho Kim, Vice President, Incheon International Airport Corporation
- Pablo Fernandez Kruk, VP Digital Strategy, Airlines AI Studio, Golant
- David Fairman, Chief Information Officer & Chief Security Officer APAC, Netskope
- Andrew Sellers, VP Technology Strategy and Enablement, Confluent
