The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that its 2025 World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) will take place in Xiamen, China, from October 14–16, 2025. Hosted by Xiamen Airlines, the conference will bring together global experts to discuss the future of aviation safety and operational challenges.
This year’s conference will focus on how evolving technologies, including AI, will shape aviation safety in a changing risk landscape. Discussions will cover key topics, including managing the risks associated with lithium batteries, addressing GNSS interference near conflict zones, enhancing accident reporting, mitigating supply chain challenges, and maintaining spectrum integrity.
“This year’s WSOC will have a future focus. Our efforts to date have made aviation operations safer. Evolving technologies, including AI, will enable us to do even better as the landscape of risks changes,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “By addressing these and other issues today, we’ll be better prepared to take on the challenges of the future.”
Zhao Dong, Chairman of Xiamen Airlines, highlighted China’s role in the event. “Hosting WSOC 2025 in Xiamen highlights China’s important role in shaping the future of aviation safety,” he said. “The event offers Chinese carriers a platform to share their experience in building safe and reliable operations and brings together China’s insights and global expertise to forge shared best practices.”
Conference Highlights
The WSOC program features four expert tracks and a series of specialized workshops, offering a comprehensive examination of critical safety and operational issues.
Expert Tracks
Safety: Sessions will cover predictive risk management, data-rich operational safety audits, and strategies for improving industry safety performance.
Cabin Operations: Topics include the safe carriage of lithium batteries, human factors, and crew and door safety.
Flight Operations: Discussions will address advancements in training, radio spectrum resilience, supply chain challenges, and the use of AI for maintenance.
Crisis Management: This track will focus on modern crisis management techniques, including aircraft removal, crisis communication, and leadership roles during emergencies.
Featured Speakers
Prominent speakers at the conference include Willie Walsh of IATA and Zhao Dong of Xiamen Airlines. They will be joined by senior leaders from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, COMAC, Airbus, Boeing, and various civil aviation authorities and industry bodies from around the world.
