Xiamen Airlines Selected to Host 83rd IATA AGM in 2027

The International Air Transport Association has selected Xiamen Airlines to host its 83rd Annual General Meeting and the associated World Air Transport Summit. The events will take place in Xiamen, China, between 30 May and 1 June 2027. ## Host Selection and Timeline The decision was reached during the 82nd IATA AGM held in Rio de Janeiro. This marks the third occasion on which China has hosted the gathering, following earlier meetings in Shanghai in 2002 and Beijing in 2012. It will be the first time the event is staged in Xiamen. ## Leadership Perspectives IATA Director General Willie Walsh noted the significance of returning the AGM to China. He highlighted the country's position as a major aviation market whose carriers rank among the world's leaders in passenger traffic. Walsh also pointed to China's advances in technology and digitalization as reasons the global industry leadership would benefit from seeing these developments directly. Xiamen Airlines Chairman Zhao Dong expressed pride in welcoming industry colleagues to the carrier's home base. He described China as a vast and culturally diverse nation with many dynamic regions beyond its primary gateways. Zhao emphasized Xiamen's historical role as a port city that has long served as an interface for commerce between China and international partners. ## Venue and Airport Developments Xiamen Airlines CEO and President Xie Bing outlined what attendees can expect. He referenced the scheduled opening of Xiang'an International Airport later in the current year as evidence of Xiamen's expanding role as a transportation and business center. Xie added that visitors would encounter the city's distinctive combination of rich culture, warm hospitality, coastal setting, and relaxed pace of life. ## Industry Representation IATA represents more than 370 airlines that together account for approximately 85 percent of global air traffic. The organization uses the AGM and World Air Transport Summit to convene airline leaders for discussion of industry matters. Further details on the upcoming meeting appear in the official [IATA announcement](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/06-07-xiamen-airlines-host-83rd-iata-agm/). Coverage of aviation developments can also be followed through established outlets such as [Simple Flying](https://simpleflying.com/) and [ch-aviation](https://www.ch-aviation.com/). ## Why it matters for AeroLink pilots Pilots who follow global industry gatherings will note that the 2027 AGM provides a direct window into China's aviation growth and infrastructure projects, including the new Xiang'an International Airport. The event's location in Xiamen offers an opportunity to observe how a major carrier integrates with regional development, which can inform understanding of network expansion and operational environments in that part of the world.