Xiamen, China--(Newsfile Corp. - October 15, 2025) - On October 14th, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Safety & Operations Conference (WSOC) 2025, hosted by Xiamen Airlines, has been inaugurated in Xiamen.
As the highest-profile annual event of IATA in the field of aviation safety and operations, the three-day event (October 14-16) has made its debut in China and attracted over 800 airlines, regulators, manufacturers, and industry experts from nearly 70 countries and regions to Fairmont Xiamen.
Focusing on the theme "Futureproofing Aviation: Strategies for Success", attendees have discussed paths to achieving safety, operational efficiency, and sustainable development in the aviation industry against the backdrop of a changing risk environment.
At the opening ceremony, Wang Yongli, Executive Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Han Jun, Deputy Administrator, Civil Aviation Administration of China, Wu Bin, Mayor of Xiamen, Ma Tao, ICAO Asia-Pacific Regional Director, and Zhao Dong, Chairman of Xiamen Airlines, delivered their opening remarks. Mark Searle, Global Director Safety, IATA, presided over the opening ceremony.
The conference not only focused on core topics and offered a rich program, but also featured in-depth sub-forums centered around four key themes: safety, cabin operations, flight operations, and crisis management.
The safety track delves into predictive risk management and risk-based operational safety audits; the cabin operations track addresses challenges such as human factors and lithium battery transportation safety; the flight operations track explores cutting-edge topics such as modernized training and the application of AI in maintenance; the crisis management track analyzes communication during crisis and assistance for passengers.
Additionally, supporting events such as the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Workshop and the Turbulence Aware Forum have been held simultaneously, fully empowering attendees to deepen exchanges and build consensus.
In his welcome address, Mark Searle, Global Director of Safety, IATA, noted that with intensifying geopolitical conflicts and progressively regulatory fragmentation, the operating environment for airlines is becoming increasingly complex. Issues such as airspace closures and drone incursions have disrupted global connectivity, undermined industry confidence, and even threatened flight safety.
He stated that ensuring aviation safety requires strong leadership, strict adherence to global standards, and smarter use of data. He believed that collaboration between industry and governments in these key areas would build a safer, more resilient, and more efficient system to address current risks and future challenges.
Zhao Dong, Chairman, Xiamen Airlines, presented from the perspective of a Chinese civil aviation enterprise. He pointed out that after four decades of development, Xiamen Airlines has enjoyed sound momentum and has maintained profitability for 38 consecutive years. Significant safety achievements were also made. Xiamen Airlines has shared its independently developed Engine In-Flight Shutdown Prevention (IFSD) measures with the world, providing actionable Chinese solutions for global aviation safety governance.
In response to new challenges and headwinds facing the industry, such as supply chain constraints, Zhao shared Xiamen Airlines' practices as the world's first airline to partner with the United Nations on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and join the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
Zhao advocated for the balance between safety and development, and called on the aviation community to collaborate to strengthen the resilience of the aviation ecosystem and take more practical actions through technological innovation and operational optimization to jointly promote the long-term, sustainable development of aviation industry.
This event has become a pivotal platform for showcasing both the technological innovations and the cultural appeal of China's civil aviation industry.
As the host airline, Xiamen Airlines has leveraged the conference as an opportunity to focus on technical exchanges and the transformation of results, promoted technological innovation in the industry, and strived to empower global civil aviation resources with practical and feasible Chinese solutions.
At the opening ceremony, the short film "Chinese zodiac time of Civil Aviation" artfully connected Chinese cultural spirit with the profession of aviation, highlighting the national identity and honoring the staff's daily dedication to safety.
Following this, twenty flight attendants, in costumes with Chinese features, presented the performance "Celestial Splendors: The Beauty of China" demonstrating the majestic scenery of China. Its masterful blend of grand, oriental beauty and aviation professionalism earned continuous applause from the attendees.
The conference will also host a "Xiamen Night" cultural event to provide a direct and engaging window into Chinese culture for the global audience.
Media contact
Contact: Ziyun Wang
Company Name: Xiamen Airlines Co., Ltd.
Website: https://www.xiamenair.com/zh-cn/
Email: mf@xiamenair.com
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