Breaking news: IATA postpones World Cargo Symposium

IATA has postponed this year’s World Cargo Symposium as a result of coronavirus-related cancellations.

The three-day event has become the largest annual event in the air cargo calendar, attracting more than 1,000 attendees and 40 exhibitors.

The show had been due to take place next week in Istanbul, but the airline association said that despite there being no reported cases in Turkey, it had taken the decision to postpone.

IATA said: “Over the past few days, we have been receiving enquiries about the status of the upcoming 14^th World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Istanbul due to the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

“Although there have been no reported cases in Turkey, we have taken the decision to postpone the event.  

“Since the first outbreak of COVID-19 in mainland China, we have been monitoring the situation in Istanbul closely, working daily with local and international authorities.

“We have been following the WHO’s guidelines. However, there has been an increase in the number of participant cancellations over the past few days for reasons including company travel bans and senior delegates needing to stay close to base during the crisis, therefore, we feel that it would be best to postpone the event.

“Further information will follow in the coming days regarding delegate, sponsor and exhibitor situations and consequential actions that need to be taken.

“We are very sorry that this decision had to be taken but we are sure you will all agree it was the correct one and for the right reasons.”

So far, IATA has yet to comment on when the event has been postponed until.

The symposium was set to feature plenary sessions, specialised tracks, workshops and executive summits, tackling aspects related to technology and innovation, security and customs, cargo operations and sustainability.