The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold its joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) on November 5–6, 2025, in Istanbul, hosted by Turkish Airlines.
The two-day event is expected to bring together global aviation leaders, including executives from airlines, payment providers, and technology firms, to address major changes in retailing, finance, and digital identity across the industry.
IATA said the symposium aims to provide a platform for discussion on how disruptive technologies, new payment systems, and digital identity will shape the future of air travel. The event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and specialized tracks exploring how the sector can align its transformation with passenger expectations while ensuring financial resilience and operational efficiency.
The joint symposium will open with keynote remarks from Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, and Sandrine Le Borgne, Senior Vice President, Corporate Services & CFO of IATA. The program will highlight the results of the 2025 Global Passenger Survey, providing exclusive insights into traveler priorities and expectations.
“Aviation is on the cusp of a major transformation. New retailing models, disruptive payment technologies, and digital identity are reshaping how airlines serve customers and run their businesses. CFOs will be at the center of this shift, ensuring the financial strategies, systems, and investments align with the industry’s future. The symbosium is a unique opportunity to take stock of these changes, learn from those at the cutting edge of innovation, and align strategies,” said Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA Senior Vice President, Corporate Services & CFO.
Turkish Airlines emphasized its role as host in advancing industry transformation. “Turkish Airlines is glad to host the joint the event in Istanbul, our home city. As the airline that connects more countries than any other, we are committed to leading the transformation of passenger travel and stay at the forefront of the industry regarding innovation in finance, digital identity, and retailing which are central to offer smarter, simpler and more comfortable journey worldwide,” said Assoc. Prof. Murat Şeker, Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.
The symposium program will examine several critical issues facing global aviation. One session, “Why Payment Should Be on Your Board Agenda,” will address the USD 22 billion cost burden associated with payment systems and explore strategies for modernization. Another session, “Putting the Customer First,” will highlight opportunities to unlock value through finance, retailing, and operations.
Specialized tracks will cover retailing, finance, and digital identity in depth. The “Offers & Orders in the Making” track will include airline case studies and insights from IT vendors on how artificial intelligence and new system designs are transforming retail and the customer experience. The “Payment & Finance to Order” track will examine how airlines and corporate clients are shifting revenue accounting to order-based models and tackling payment inefficiencies through innovation and global standards. The “Digital Identity & Orders” track will focus on the use of biometrics and identity management to streamline border processes, enable personalization, and improve disruption management.
“Aligning change to customer expectations is critical. At WFS/WPS 2025 we will reveal key insights from the latest IATA Global Passenger Survey (GPS). From past surveys we know that passengers care about how they shop and pay for travel and that they are eager for technology to make their travel better. So, we’ll use the GPS to help the industry unlock the value of innovation in digital identity, payments, and retailing,” said Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security.
The agenda will also include panel sessions and discussions led by senior executives from leading airlines and companies across the aviation and technology sectors. Confirmed speakers include Gary Liu, CEO of Antom, Ant International; Tamur Goudarzi Pour, EVP Strategy and Member of the Executive Committee, Lufthansa Group; Christine Rovelli, Chief Revenue Officer, Finnair; Assoc. Prof. Murat Şeker, CFO and Board Member of Turkish Airlines; and Dr. Kerem Kiziltunc, Chief Information Technology Officer at Turkish Airlines.
The symposium will also examine the role of financial leaders in guiding transformation across the airline industry. With CFOs increasingly central to decision-making, discussions will focus on ensuring that investment priorities and operational strategies align with long-term passenger needs and sustainable business growth.
The IATA event in Istanbul is expected to draw significant attention within the global aviation community. By combining two major industry events into one, IATA aims to facilitate collaboration across finance, retail, and passenger service areas at a time when aviation is undergoing fundamental shifts. For Turkish Airlines, the event provides an opportunity to highlight its role in connecting international markets and promoting innovation in customer experience.
With industry leaders, policymakers, and technology providers convening in Istanbul, the symposium will serve as a key forum for setting the direction of passenger services and financial strategies in the coming years. The outcomes of the discussions are anticipated to influence airline practices worldwide as the industry prepares for a decade of significant change.
