IATA moves June AGM from Shanghai to Doha, due to new China Covid restrictions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that its 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit will move from Shanghai, China, to take place now, 19-21 June 2022, in Doha, Qatar, hosted by Qatar Airways. IATA said its decision to move the destination and venue reflected continuing Covid-19 related restrictions on travel to China. It also follows news of Shanghai bringing in new lockdown restrictions as Covid cases rise in the city. “It is deeply disappointing that we are not able to meet in Shanghai as planned. In the meantime, we are pleased to be returning to the dynamic aviation hub of Doha,” said Willie Walsh (pictured), IATA’s director general. “This year’s AGM will be an important opportunity for aviation’s leaders to reflect on the shifting political, economic, and technological realities facing air travel as the industry’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic gathers pace.” This will be the second time that the global gathering of aviation’s top leaders will be held in Qatar; the first being in 2014.