MACAO – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued a rallying cry for the aviation sector to bridge the gap between rapid technological innovation and tangible industry value. Speaking at the opening of the 2026 World Financial Symposium and World Passenger Symposium in Macao, Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA Interim Director General, emphasized that while the industry is awash in AI, biometrics, and digital payments, the challenge lies in weaving these threads into a cohesive, financially resilient future.
“Today, a traveler can use AI to plan a trip. They can pay with a digital wallet and use biometrics for a more seamless journey at the airport,” Le Borgne told attendees. “The challenge now is realizing the value that these innovations can create to make travel more efficient.”
At the heart of IATA’s strategic vision is the transition to “Modern Airline Retailing.” This shift, characterized by the adoption of “Offers and Orders” systems, is already gaining momentum. According to IATA, seven airlines have already implemented these systems, with over 20 more expected to follow by 2027. To support this, IT providers have committed more than US$1.7 billion toward the digital infrastructure required to overhaul outdated booking and service processes.
Le Borgne stressed that AI serves as the necessary “accelerator” for this transformation. As AI-powered agents increasingly dictate how travelers discover and purchase airfare, airlines are being urged to protect their data sovereignty and commercial relationships while ensuring that the quality of their digital offerings remains consistent.
Beyond the retail front, the industry is grappling with the complexities of financial sustainability. With airlines shelling out more than US$24.5 billion annually in payment processing fees, IATA is pushing for a holistic approach to digitalization that incorporates accounting and reconciliation into new payment technologies from the outset. By simplifying these back-end processes, the industry hopes to avoid the trap of simply “digitizing complexity.”
The symposium, held for the first time in North Asia, highlights China’s pivotal role in this digital evolution. With a record-breaking 770 million passengers served in 2025, China is viewed as a blueprint for scale and innovation. Le Borgne noted that while China’s influence is undeniable, success relies on interoperability. “We must keep our solutions connected by having one set of global standards,” she said.
A final hurdle remains in the physical journey: the fragmentation of biometric travel. While passengers are clearly ready for change—with over 80% expressing interest in using digital passports—adoption is currently stalled by inconsistent, country-specific regulations. IATA is now calling on governments to standardize the issuance and acceptance of digital travel credentials, utilizing existing ICAO frameworks to turn the dream of a seamless, paperless, and secure global travel experience into a reality.
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