Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, rising costs, and operational pressure, airlines cannot afford to slow down investment in digital transformation.

That was the clear stance from Willie Walsh during the CEO panel on day 1 of IATA World Data Symposium. And it reflects what we’re seeing every day across the industry: the operators who continue to invest in the right technology are the ones best equipped to navigate disruption and build long-term resilience.

Turning operational data into a competitive advantage

Across two days at the symposium, we had dozens of conversations with airlines and airports facing a similar challenge:

They are sitting on vast amounts of operational data trapped in separate systems, struggling to apply the insights in the most critical moments of their operation.

This is where the conversation quickly shifts from data to decision-making.

At our stand and during our session on the Innovation Stage, we explored how operators can recover millions lost to operational inefficiencies by using real-time digital twin technology to:

• Identify issues before they escalate into disruption
• Analyse scenarios in real-time to understand impact instantly
• Coordinate teams around a single, live operational picture

Because when every minute of delay has a cost, the ability to act early, and act with confidence, is what makes the difference.

Digital twins are no longer theoretical

A key theme from the panel featuring our CEO, Richard Vilton, alongside leaders from Emirates, Airbus, and Changi Airport, was that digital twins have moved beyond experimentation.

They are already embedded in operations today, and delivering measurable value.

But “digital twin” doesn’t mean one single thing.

• For OEMs, it may focus on manufacturing and engineering
• For airports, it may support long-term planning and infrastructure
• For airlines, it increasingly means real-time operational decision support

The shift we’re seeing is from static models to live, connected environments, where data is continuously ingested, analysed, and turned into immediate action.

From conversation to action

Beyond the panels, some of the most valuable moments happened in the follow-up conversations.

At our stand, we spoke with operators looking to:

• Improve airside coordination
• Reduce turnaround delays
• Gain better visibility across complex operations

And the common thread was clear: the need for technology that doesn’t just report what’s happening, but actively supports better decisions in real time.

If there’s one takeaway from this year’s IATA World Data Symposium, it’s this:‍

Digital transformation is no longer a future ambition. It’s an operational necessity.

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