IATA WLS 2026 in Warsaw to Discuss “Liability in a Changing World”

This article reveals the main themes and practical implications of the IATA World Legal Symposium (WLS) 2026, set to explore airline liability in evolving global conditions. It outlines the program, key topics, and why these debates matter beyond the tarmac.

WLS 2026 at a glance

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host the 2026 World Legal Symposium from 17–19 February in Warsaw, Poland, with LOT Polish Airlines serving as host. The symposium’s title, “Liability in a Changing World”, reflects a focus on how traditional airline liabilities intersect with contemporary regulatory, technological, and societal pressures.

Core themes and challenges

Delegates will examine how established liability frameworks for airlines are strained by a range of new compliance areas. Topics on the agenda include:

• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance and greenwashing risks;
• Taxation and trade tariff impacts on operations and customer redress;
• Privacy concerns and data protection across borders;
• Powstanie sztuczna inteligencja (AI) in decision-making, claims handling, and operational safety;
• Fragmented national measures that challenge uniform application of international liability treaties.

Statements from industry leaders

Leslie MacIntosh, IATA’s Corporate Secretary and Acting General Counsel, emphasizes that internationally agreed airline liability principles face growing pressure from divergent national measures, threatening the uniformity that supports global connectivity. Michal Fijol, President & CEO of LOT Polish Airlines, highlighted the need for collaborative solutions among regulators, legal experts, and industry representatives.

Speakers and sessions

The WLS program combines plenaries and focused panels addressing both legal doctrine and operational implications. Sessions will feature experts in aviation law, regulators, insurers, and airline counsel.

Sample session outline

Why this matters beyond airlines

While WLS centers on airline law, its conclusions will ripple through the wider travel ecosystem. Airport operators, ground handlers, taxi and transfer providers, and app-based ride services depend on consistent liability rules for claims, insurance, and passenger protections. Divergent national measures can complicate intermodal journeys, affecting everything from booking processes to in-vehicle data handling.

Implications for taxi and transfer services

• Insurers and regulators may extend new compliance standards to ground transport, particularly where airport transfers are integral to itineraries.
• Data privacy rulings affecting airlines can influence how transfer companies collect passenger details via booking apps.
• AI-driven dispatch and pricing tools used by transfer companies may face scrutiny similar to airlines’ automated decision systems.
• Sustainability requirements could accelerate demand for electric or hybrid fleets among transfer providers to meet ESG expectations.

Practical takeaways for travelers and providers

For travelers, the symposium’s debates matter because they shape the speed and fairness of compensation, the clarity of cancellation and delay rules, and how personal data is protected across journeys. For transfer companies, anticipating regulatory shifts can reduce disruption, limit liability exposure, and keep fares competitive.

Key recommendations emerging from WLS-style discussions include:

• Regularly review insurance and contract language to reflect cross-border inconsistencies.
• Invest in transparent customer communication about taryfy, usługa terms, and liability limits.
• Adopt best-practice data handling and AI audit trails.
• Consider sustainable fleet upgrades to meet emerging ESG obligations.

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