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About the IATA World Legal Symposium
The IATA World Legal Symposium is the world's premier annual aviation law event, with a reputation for insight, relevance, and value among in-house counsel, private practitioners, and government lawyers alike. The event is well known for its engaging subject matter, outstanding speakers, lively debate and, of course, some of the best networking opportunities you'll find anywhere in the industry.
Why should you attend?
- Gain valuable insights into latest developments, challenges, trends, and best practices in aviation law.
- Engage with industry leaders from across the globe who share their unique expertise and engage in lively debates.
- Connect with in-house counsel, private practitioners, and government lawyers, fostering collaborations and expanding your network.
WLS 2026 Warsaw – Highlights
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Who will you meet?
- Airlines and airport representatives
- Academia and government agencies
- In-house counsel, private practitioners, and government lawyers
World Legal Symposium 2026 Testimonials
"It was a great organized event with a very interesting program, very versatile, appealing accompanying program. The participants were consistently open and genuinely interested, and it was easy to strike up open, uncomplicated conversations with everyone. So beyond the professional input, it was also an excellent platform for personal exchange and networking."
Sponsor
"An incredibly worthwhile event. Between the exceptional expertise of the cargo panel members, the fascinating deep-dives into airline legal challenges, and the top-tier networking, this symposium delivered immense value from start to finish. Needless to say Warsaw and Krakow were astonishing places to visit."
Sebastian Villa, CYFA Abogados
"It is the only purely legal event in the market and it is always relevant to current developments."
Law Firm
"It had a good balance of networking opportunities and panels rich in content."
IATA Member Airline
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Program
"From Recovery to Resilience: The Next Era of Airline Regulation?" - View the preliminary program (pdf) to provide you an overview of what awaits you in Istanbul!
| Registration Type | Regular Rate | EARLY-BIRD RATE* |
|---|---|---|
| IATA Member Airline | $760.00 | $760.00 |
| IATA Strategic Partner | $1,658.00 | $1327.00 |
| Academia | $1,658.00 | $1327.00 |
| Regulator/Government/Airport | $1,730.00 | $1385.00 |
| General Public | $1,905.00 | $1525.00 |
| Students | $300.00 | $300.00 |
*Early-bird rates are valid only up until 4 December 2026.
**Prices are exclusive of applicable fees and taxes.
To find out more about the registration categories, please check our FAQs.
Please be advised that it is your responsibility to select the correct admission item for registration. IATA reserves the right to review your registration, verify the compliance of your selection, and make any necessary adjustments, which may revoke previous confirmations of your attendance and necessitate appropriate actions on your part.
Please contact us for any questions you may have at wls@iata.org.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Nestled in the heart of Istanbul, Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus offers breathtaking Bosphorus views, expansive gardens, and a unique blend of timeless elegance and modern comfort. As Türkiye’s first international five-star hotel, it has been welcoming guests since 1955 and enjoys a prime location near the Congress Valley, Beyoğlu, and Nişantaşı. The hotel features 475 renovated guest rooms, including suites and family rooms. Guests can enjoy a variety of restaurants and bars with panoramic Bosphorus views, 17 versatile meeting spaces including the Hilton Ballroom and Congress Center, complimentary Wi‑Fi throughout the property, and parking facilities. Conveniently located between Taksim and Harbiye, the hotel provides easy access to Istanbul’s main business, cultural, shopping, and entertainment districts.
> More information about Istanbul
Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus
Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus is set within expansive landscaped gardens in the heart of Istanbul, offering stunning views of the Bosphorus while being just moments from the city's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment districts. Its unique combination of a central location and tranquil surroundings makes it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers. One of Istanbul's most iconic hotels, the property features elegant rooms and suites, many with private balconies overlooking the Bosphorus or the lush gardens. Guests can enjoy a selection of restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a spa and wellness centre, and extensive fitness facilities.
Visa requirements
We invite to check your country requirements before traveling to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey, avoiding any unexpected issues at the border. If necessary, you can request a visa invitation letter during your registration, which will be provided once your registration is complete and fully paid.
The IATA TravelCentre provides passport, visa, health advice, and much more. Visit the IATA Travel Centre-Passport, Visa & Health Requirements.
Showcase your products and services to industry leaders, governments, international organizations, and subject matter experts.
Contact us to learn more about our Sponsorship & Exhibition opportunities, and secure your place at the IATA World Legal Symposium (WLS)! We are open to customizing an offer based on your business needs.
Please complete the form below and one of our team members get in touch with you shortly:
Interested in becoming an IATA Strategic Partner?
Benefit from discounts on sponsorship and exhibition rates. Get on Board!
Constance O’Keefe Aviation Law Writing Award 2027
IATA is pleased to announce the Constance O’Keefe Aviation Law Writing Award 2027, kindly sponsored by Studio Pierallini.
This award is given in memory of Constance O’Keefe, former General Counsel of IATA. Connie, as she was known to her friends and all who had an opportunity to work with her, had a tremendous passion for aviation law, enjoyed teaching legal writing as an adjunct professor at several law schools in Washington D.C., and was a beloved member of the air law community. We are honoured to hold this award in her name.
The writing award is an exciting opportunity for students to gain industry recognition in aviation law and to network with leading industry professionals. It is part of IATA Legal Services’ continuing commitment to encourage and develop the aviation lawyers of the future.
We will invite the winner to receive his or her award at the IATA Legal Symposium which will take place from 16 – 18 March 2027 in Istanbul, Türkiye and will provide :
- Return travel to Istanbul, Türkiye
- Three nights’ accommodation at the venue hotel
- Conference registration
Prospective candidates should carefully review the terms and conditions before submitting an entry. The winning entry shall be selected in January 2027.
Terms and Conditions of Entry
Candidate eligibility
To enter the competition, you must presently be enrolled in a bachelor’s (or JD) or master’s degree at a university or have graduated from such a degree within the last 12 months. At the time of submission, you must not have obtained, nor be enrolled in, a postgraduate doctoral degree (PhD, DCL, etc.) at any university, and you must not be a current or former employee or intern of the International Air Transport Association.
Topics
Candidates must respond to only ONE topic set out below. Submissions should demonstrate original thought, critical analysis and clear commercial relevance to the air transport industry.
Option A. Critically assess the legal interaction between national or regional emissions trading systems applying to air transport and ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
OR
Option B. Critically assess whether existing civil aviation legal and regulatory frameworks can support highly automated or single-pilot international commercial air transport operations today and identify what further regulatory developments may be appropriate in this area while preserving safety objectives.
Submission requirements
All entries must be submitted by 18:00 Geneva time on 15 December 2026, by email attachment to wls@iata.org. Please mark the subject line as Constance O’Keefe Aviation Law Writing Award 2027.
Your entry may not exceed 5,000 words, excluding footnotes and references. All entries must be written in English and include formal academic citations (you may use the referencing system preferred by your university). The format is single spaced, 11-point Arial font.
Please complete, sign, date and attach a scanned copy of the cover sheet (pdf) to your entry. Do not indicate your name or other identifying information on any part of your entry apart from the cover sheet.
The winning entry shall be selected in January 2027.
World Legal Symposium 2026
WLS 2026 brought together over 400 delegates in Warsaw, Poland, at the Sofitel Warsaw Victoria, from 17 to 19 February.
World Legal Symposium 2025
WLS 2025 brought together over 300 delegates in Shanghai, China, at the W Shanghai - The Bund, from 18 to 20 February.
World Legal Symposium 2024
WLS 2024 brought together almost 400 delegates in Vancouver, Canada, at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, from 21 to 23 February.
World Legal Symposium 2022
WLS 2022 brought together almost 400 delegates in Paris, France, at the Hyatt Regency Paris Star, from 19 to 21 October.
Host Airline
Our Diversity & Inclusion Pledge
IATA believes that diversity of culture, gender, age, orientation, and experience boosts the success of the aviation industry. We actively encourage aviation professionals with diverse profiles to contribute to our events as speakers, panelists, facilitators, or in any other way.