The International Air Transport Association has raised concerns over mounting legal and regulatory risks confronting airlines globally, as it announced plans to hold the 2026 World Legal Symposium in Warsaw, Poland.

The symposium, scheduled for 17 to 19 February and to be hosted by LOT Polish Airlines, will focus on “Liability in a Changing World’’, bringing aviation law experts, regulators, and industry stakeholders together to examine emerging and long-standing liability challenges in the sector.

IATA said airlines are increasingly under pressure from both traditional insured risks and new compliance demands tied to environmental, social, and governance standards, greenwashing, taxation, privacy, and artificial intelligence.

According to the association, discussions at the symposium will take place against the backdrop of shifting consumer protection rules, evolving trade tariffs, and geopolitical developments that are reshaping the global aviation landscape.

“Internationally agreed airline liability principles are facing growing pressure from divergent national measures, which risk undermining the uniform application of the international liability treaties and their benefits to connectivity,” said IATA’s Corporate Secretary and Acting General Counsel, Leslie MacIntosh.

She added, “The challenges this creates for airlines, who must navigate through these inconsistencies to support global operations, will be at the heart of discussions at this year’s WLS.”

The President and Chief Executive Officer of LOT Polish Airlines, Michał Fijoł, said the airline was pleased to host the event in Poland, noting the growing complexity of airline operations.

“New regulations, emerging technologies, and evolving societal expectations create strategic challenges in airline operations today. As Poland’s national carrier, we are pleased to welcome an event bringing together leading aviation law experts, regulators, and industry representatives to jointly identify and address the complexities ahead,” he said.