IATA WLS 2026 in Warsaw to Tackle Airline Liability

Overview at a glance

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will convene the 2026 World Legal Symposium (WLS) in Warsaw from 17–19 February under the theme “Liability in a Changing World”, hosted by LOT Polish Airlines. The symposium will bring together aviation law experts, regulators, and industry representatives to examine how established liability frameworks cope with emerging risks and divergent national measures.

Why liability matters now

Airlines are dealing with both long-standing insured risks and a new set of compliance pressures: ESG obligations, greenwashing claims, taxation changes, data privacy, and the expanding use of artificial intelligence. These developments occur amid shifting consumer protection standards, evolving trade tariffs, and complex geopolitical dynamics. Such fragmentation in rules can undermine internationally agreed liabilities and affect global connectivity.

Voices and leadership

Leslie MacIntosh, IATA’s Corporate Secretary and Acting General Counsel, will highlight the tension between uniform international treaties and differing national regulations. Michal Fijol, President & CEO of LOT Polish Airlines, emphasizes the importance of collaborative legal thinking to help carriers navigate these complexities while maintaining safe and reliable operations.

Key liability challenges to be discussed

Liability Area	New Pressure Points	Possible Impact on Travel
Passenger rights	National variations to international rules	Increased claims, route adjustments, higher fares
Data privacy	Cross-border data flows and AI profiling	Changes in booking systems, stricter vendor contracts
ESG and greenwashing	Regulatory scrutiny of sustainability claims	Compliance costs, altered marketing for airlines
Taxation & tariffs	New levies and trade measures	Shifts in pricing strategies and service allocations

Featured sessions and topics

Reconciling international liability treaties with national laws
AI and automated decision-making: liability and oversight
ESG transparency, green claims, and consumer protection
Cross-border data transfers and passenger privacy
Insurance trends and risk allocation for carriers

What the WLS discussions mean for ground transport and transfers

Legal shifts at the airline level ripple into the ground transport and transfer sector. Divergent passenger rights and data rules could affect how airport taxis and transfer providers collect passenger data, issue receipts, or accept liability for missed connections. Carriers and airports may adjust pickup and drop-off policies to reduce exposure, which in turn affects local taxi dispatchers, limousine services and private transfers.

Practical implications for riders and operators

Greater documentation: drivers and transfer companies may need to verify flight changes and retain records for claims.
Dynamic pricing: new levies and compliance costs can influence fares across airport transfers and private hires.
Data handling: ground operators might require updated consent flows to align with airline data practices.

How travelers and transfer services can prepare

Travelers should expect clearer communication from providers and may want to confirm exact pickup points, wait times, and cancellation policies in advance. Transfer operators and taxi companies should review contracts, ensure proper licensing, and revisit insurance coverages to align with evolving airline expectations.

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IATA WLS 2026 in Warsaw: LOT Polish Airlines Hosts Debate on Liability in a Changing World