The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said its 2026 World Cargo Symposium (WCS) will focus on ‘Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World’.

IATA, in a statement by its Director-General, Willie Walsh, said the symposium would take stock of changing global trade conditions as it examines regulatory priorities, developments in special cargo and progress on digitalisation in specialised streams.
The statement hinted that the WCS would be held in Lima, Peru, from March 10 to 12 and hosted by LATAM Cargo.
It is the first time the event will be held in South America.

Walsh emphasised that tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty had reshaped global trade and supply chains, stressing that the 3.4 per cent growth pattern in air cargo demand in 2025 was strongly influenced by these developments.
He noted that the 2026 WCS would focus on further strengthening air cargo’s ability to respond quickly and effectively as trade lanes shift and the value of speed and reliability across the supply chain grows.
Chief Executive Officer, LATAM Cargo, Andres Bianchi, expressed that air cargo plays a vital role in connecting South America to global markets and supporting the region’s trade and economic development.

“Hosting the World Cargo Symposium in South America for the first time is a recognition of the region’s growing importance in global air cargo. LATAM Cargo is proud to support a forum that brings the industry together to advance regulatory priorities, digitalisation and the evolving demands of special cargo in a dynamic global environment.
“We look forward to connecting with our partners and stakeholders in Lima to drive meaningful progress across the industry.”

Walsh and Bianchi would be speaking at the event along with the Minister of Trade and Tourism, Peru, Teresa Mera Gómez; CEO, LATAM Airlines Group, Roberto Alvo; Director Global Aviation Operations, Amazon Global Air Technology & Infrastructure, Ali Faddis; IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, Brendan Sullivan and IATA’s Head of Industry Analysis, Julia Seiermann.