Global airlines converge in New Delhi amid trade war turmoil, Net-zero doubts

Airline leaders from around the world will gather in India’s capital this weekend as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) convenes its annual general meeting, with trade war tensions, soaring costs, and climate targets high on the agenda.

The summit, which runs Sunday through Tuesday, comes at a time of record passenger traffic globally following the post-pandemic recovery, yet the industry faces multiple headwinds — including geopolitical instability, supply chain challenges, and increasing doubts over the feasibility of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Among the sharpest concerns is U.S. President Donald Trump’s revived trade war, which has disrupted the aerospace industry’s long-standing tariff-free environment, creating uncertainty for carriers and aircraft manufacturers alike.

“You can't say that a fall-off in consumer confidence and higher inflation are not going to mean less money in the wallet for people to spend,” said Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, in remarks to Reuters. While airlines are still managing to fill planes, Kelly noted that yield pressures — the average fare per seat sold — remain a concern.

The U.S. market, in particular, is experiencing softening travel demand, while European and Asian carriers continue to benefit from strong bookings. Airlines globally are also grappling with delivery delays of newer, fuel-efficient jets, rising operational costs, and logistical bottlenecks.

Asia’s Aviation Boom and Regional Challenges

The gathering in New Delhi, hosted by India’s largest airline IndiGo, underscores India’s growing importance in global aviation. Now the world’s third-largest air travel market, India is poised for sustained growth, even as regional tensions — such as recent hostilities with Pakistan — force airlines to make expensive detours around restricted airspace.

Conflict-related flight disruptions and growing concerns over aviation safety will be another focal point, especially following a string of accidents in Kazakhstan, South Korea, and North America. IATA has stressed the urgent need for global coordination to ensure airline safety in or near active conflict zones.

Sustainability Targets Under Strain

IATA’s 2021 net-zero pledge by 2050 remains a foundational industry goal, but doubts are mounting about its viability. The plan hinges heavily on scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) — a bio-based alternative to traditional jet fuel that remains costly and limited in supply.

“Demand for SAF continues to outstrip supply and costs remain prohibitively high,” said Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. He criticized the lack of cohesive global policies, calling existing regulatory support “underdeveloped, inconsistent, or insufficient.”

Energy producers and aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing are also under pressure, accused by airlines of delayed deliveries and lagging technological innovation.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh is expected to deliver a sharply worded address Monday, likely targeting governments for inadequate regulatory support and energy firms for failing to scale SAF production.

While a formal revision of the industry’s net-zero commitment is not expected during the New Delhi summit, insiders say private discussions are growing more frank about the financial and logistical challenges involved.

What’s at Stake

As global aviation rebounds, the industry stands at a crossroads — balancing economic pressures, environmental responsibilities, and geopolitical realities. The New Delhi summit offers a key platform to address these tensions and shape the trajectory of global air travel for the coming decades.

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