IATA’s 82nd AGM to Be Hosted in Rio de Janeiro in June 2026 by LATAM Airlines Group
(IN SHORT) The 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2026 by LATAM Airlines Group. This marks the return of the event to South America after 27 years, offering a chance to reflect on the region’s growth in air connectivity. The event will celebrate Brazil’s aviation legacy, including the contributions of Alberto Santos-Dumont.
(PRESS RELEASE) NEW DELHI, 2025-Jun-2 — /Travel PR News/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2026. LATAM Airlines Group will host the event, marking a return to South America for the first time since the 1999 AGM, which was also held in Rio.
“We are thrilled to accept LATAM’s invitation to host IATA’s 82nd AGM in Rio de Janeiro. The last time the AGM was held in South America was in 1999, and this event offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the transformative developments in air connectivity over the past two decades,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “This meeting will emphasize the pivotal role aviation has played in supporting major world events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, and highlight its potential to further drive economic and social prosperity, particularly in the largest aviation market in South America.”
Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, expressed pride in the opportunity to host the AGM. “LATAM is proud to host the IATA AGM in Brazil, the main market for our airline group. We look forward to showcasing the immense contributions of aviation in Brazil and across South America. Rio de Janeiro, with its world-renowned hospitality and beauty, is the perfect city to provide a warm welcome and an unforgettable experience for all attendees,” he said.
LATAM Airlines Group connects people and cultures across South America and beyond, with 153 destinations across 27 countries. In 2024, LATAM achieved a record 82 million passengers and made significant strides in fleet modernization and environmental sustainability.
Brazil’s rich aviation history, notably the pioneering work of Alberto Santos-Dumont, one of the fathers of aviation, will be a key theme of the event. Santos-Dumont’s historic flight in 1906 was a pivotal moment in the development of powered flight, not only in Latin America but also globally.
Previous IATA AGMs held in Brazil took place in Petropolis in 1947 and Rio de Janeiro in 1999.
Media contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org
SOURCE: International Air Transport Association (IATA)
