Turkish Airlines is hosting the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 6–8 October 2026 under the theme “Performance Through People.”
The
event brings together aviation leaders and industry professionals to examine
the role of people in maintaining safe, resilient and efficient operations amid
rapid technological change.
Discussions
will focus on how technology, data, artificial intelligence and automation are
reshaping aviation safety and risk management, while highlighting the
importance of human skills and judgment in applying these tools effectively.
Turkish
Airlines CEO Ahmet Olmuştur delivered an opening address and joined a CEO panel
examining the impact of geopolitical risks on people performance, sharing
insights from the airline’s global operations.
The
conference features four tracks covering Safety, Cabin Operations, Operations
and Crisis Management. Key topics include human-centered safety, geopolitical
risks, future aviation talent, emergency response planning, airspace
resilience, data-driven safety analysis and turbulence.
Through
hosting WSOC 2026, Turkish Airlines is supporting international cooperation and
the exchange of operational expertise, while reinforcing the aviation
industry’s focus on people as a central element of safety and operational
resilience.
Olmuştur stated: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Turkish
Airlines. The value of our investments in technology is realized through the
knowledge, experience and sound judgment of our people. We believe a strong
safety culture grows through continuous learning, open communication and a
shared sense of responsibility. We are pleased to welcome the global aviation
community to Istanbul for IATA’s World Safety and Operations Conference. We
believe the exchange of experience and the collaboration fostered here will
contribute to the safe and resilient growth of our industry.”
IATA’s Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security, Nick Careen said: “People are the foundation of aviation safety. Technology can sharpen our insight and strengthen decision-making, but it is the skills, judgment and leadership of aviation professionals—supported by strong global standards—that turn these advances into safer operations. WSOC is about how we continue to invest in people, use technology with purpose and strengthen the standards that enable aviation to learn, adapt and improve. We thank Turkish Airlines for hosting us in Istanbul and for its strong commitment to safety, industry leadership and collaboration.” -TradeArabia News Service