Theglobaleconomyshowed impressivestrength in the first half of 2025, and this resilience is carrying forward. Consumer spending remains firm, fiscal support continues, and global GDPis projected to rise 3.0% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026—asignalofadaptabilityamiduncertainty.
Trade tensions that once clouded outlooks have eased.TheU.S.hassecuredmajordealswiththe EU, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, covering nearly70%ofitstrade.WhiletalkswithChinaand Mexico continue and tariffs remain for India and Brazil.
OECD economies, led by the U.S., are steady, with the Eurozone and Japan gaining ground. Non-OECD nations remain the true growth engines—India's booming services, China's reoriented exports, and Brazil's resilience stand out.Energydemandmirrorsthismomentum,with oiluseforecasttoriseby1.3mb/din2025and1.4 mb/din2026.
Meanwhile, industry faces transformation. HANNOVER MESSE 2026 willshowcasehow automation, digitalization, and AI fuel competitiveness, with 4,000 exhibitors and a DefenseProductionPark.
Trade stability, AI innovation, and renewable energy together chart a brighter, sustainable future.
Ÿ Vedanta Metal Bazaar is the world's largest non-ferrous e-store offering more than 1200SKUs
Ÿ The e-store's present customer base includes60%MSMEs
Ÿ The company's first-of-its-kind e-store democratises access to premium products for all customers offering industry-leading features like liveshipmenttracking&financialreconciliation
OnNationalMSMEDay,VedantaLimited(NSE: VEDL), India's leading critical minerals, transition metals, energy and technology conglomerate announced that its non-ferrous metals e-store has achieved a staggering INR 40,000 crores or $4.7 billion in total sales value. Operated under the name of Vedanta Metal Bazaar,itistheworld'slargestnon-ferrousmetals e-store offering more than 1200 stock keeping units (SKUs) across metals such as aluminium, zinc, lead and copper. The platform brings easeof-doing business for customers on their fingertipsbyprovidingastreamlined,digital-first solution that enables businesses to procure nonferrous metalssuch as aluminium,zinc,leadand copperefficientlyandcost-effectively.
Traditionally,non-ferrousmetalprocurementcan becomplexandrequirescustomerstokeeptrack of commodity price movements, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Customers need to plan metal buying in advance with no visibilityofpricingopportunities.VedantaMetal Bazaar simplifies this process. It provides a streamlined, digital-first solution with an AIpowered WhatsApp chatbot that enables customers to procure metals efficientlyand costeffectively. The platform also offers other industry-leading features such as real-time shipment tracking, online hedging, long-term contracting, on-the-spot orders, channel partner logistics and financial support. This provides unprecedented ease-of-doing business and democratizes access to premium quality metals forallcustomers.
With no purchase limits or caps, Vedanta Metal Bazaar provides businesses with direct access to metalsalongwithflexibilityinthequantitiesthey need according to their production plan. The platform helps eliminate third-party intermediaries, which is particularly helpful for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), giving them access to one of the world's largest metal
BUSINESSNEWSLINE
portfolios at their fingertips. This streamlined, one-stop solution is enabling smaller businesses to focus on growth rather than procurement complexities. This has led to a 240% increase in active users and a 35% rise in SME registrations within just six months of launch, reflecting a major shift toward digital procurement in India's metals sector. Vedanta Metal Bazaar's present customerbaseincludes60%MSMEs.
One of the most standout features of the e-store which is also a global first is the full stack integration of the e-store with leading hedging service providers, empowering buyersespeciallysmallandmediumenterprises(SMEs) -tomanagecommoditypricerisksdirectlyduring the purchase process. The platform also offers embedded financing through partnerships with top Indian banks and NBFCs, that has enabled over₹1,150croreinsalesthroughthiseasy-credit ecosystem.
Mr. Gaurav Verma, Director, Pranava Electrical Industries Private Ltd, said, “Vedanta Metal Bazaar is a game-changer for MSMEs. With its user-friendly platform and no minimum order policy, metal procurement has neverbeeneasier.We'reexcitedtocontinueusing the app and eager to explore upcoming innovations.”
Sharing his experience, Mr. Nilesh Patil, VPOperations of Kothari Metsol, said, “This is a revolutionaryplatformofferingeaseofaccessand user-friendlyinterfaceforbuyingofzinc.Itoffers everything in one place and acts as a one-stop solution, from order booking to financial statementstotrackingtoqueryhandling.”
AnotherMSMEcustomerfromthesmalltownof Alwar,Mr.AbhishekAggarwal,ownerofSant Aluminium, added, “As a business owner
seeking a hassle-free way to buy aluminium, VedantaMetalBazaarexceededmyexpectations. Theplatformiseasytouseandthereisnolimiton purchase quantity. The feedback system contributestobetterplanning,andthemobileapp is a handy tool for on-the-go order tracking. I highly recommend Vedanta Metal Bazaar for a simple and reliable metal procurement experience.”
The platform offers aluminium ingots, billets, wire rods, rolled products, copper cathodes, copperrods,specialhigh-gradezinc,specialhigh gradejumbozinc,zincdie-castingalloysandlead ingots.Theplatformalsoofferscustomersaccess toVedanta'slowcarbon'green'productrangethat includes Restora (Aluminium) and EcoZen (Zinc). Additionally, the company's Customer TechnicalServicesteamcollaboratecloselywith customerstomeettheirspecificneeds.
Thee-storeisaccessibleviaacustomizedmobile app under the name of Vedanta Metal Bazaar on GooglePlayStoreandAppleAppStore.Itisalso availableasawebportal (https://vedantametalbazaar.com/),ensuringease of access for businesses of all sizes. The e-store has achieved unmatched customer satisfaction, withplaystoreratingsreachingmorethan4.3ona scaleof1-5.
Vedanta Limited is a global leader in critical minerals, energy and technology operating a diverse portfolio of world-class assets. It is the world's largest integrated producer of zinc, the fourth-largest global producer of silver, amongst theworld'stopaluminiumproducers,India'sonly privateoilandgasproducer,andoneofitslargest private power producers. With an eye on the future,thecompanyisstrategicallyexpandingits business portfolio by venturing into rare earths, othercriticalminerals,andrenewableenergy.
AIANDROBOTICS
Europe'slargestAIandroboticscentercontinuestogrow
CyberValley,Europe'slargestcenterforartificial intelligence and modern robotics, has gained a new corporate network partner in the Esslingenbased family-owned company Festo. In the year ofitscentenary,oneoftheleadingmanufacturers of automation technology is thus setting the courseforthefutureofindustryinthedirectionof deep reinforcement learning. According to its initiators, Cyber Valley offers a platform for scientists and companies to deepen their basic researchinmachinelearning,intelligentsystems, and robotics. The Cyber Valley community is a network of AI researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and startups, as well as partners from science,industry,andsociety.
Researchandcollaborationwithstartups
Festo will contribute to this partnership with its research facility, the Festo IoC lab. This laboratory is located at the University of Tübingen, a founding member of Cyber Valley. Thepartnershipfocusesnotonlyonresearchand developmentinartificialintelligence,butalsoon developing networks for startups in the field of artificialintelligence.
“AttheFestoIoClab,wewillexpandourresearch and collaboration with startups in the field of generative AI and generative design,” explains Dr. Shahram Eivazi, head of the Festo IoC Lab and member of the Advanced Development ArtificialIntelligenceteamatFesto.
AIinFesto'ssights
Festo has been deepening its collaboration with
the University ofTübingen since 2021 as part of an Industry-on-Campus project led by Dr. Shahram Eivazi. The initial focus was on deep reinforcement learning for robotics, which combines neural networks with reinforcement learning: The robot tries to achieve a given goal through trial and error. Based on the feedback it receives,therobotgraduallyoptimizesitsactions until it successfully completes the task. Meta learning, edge AI, auto machine learning approaches, distributed learning, and generative models are further AI fields that are being investigated in an application-oriented manner. The potential for AI-based applications to increase overall plant efficiency in production is enormous.Theresultsarethereforecontinuously incorporated into existing and new AI applicationsfromFesto.
CyberValleyCommunity
Bybuildingadynamicecosystemandpromoting close collaboration and rapid knowledge exchange between science, industry, and society, CyberValleyiscreatingafutureinwhichthefull potential of intelligent systems can be harnessed for the benefit of society. One of its goals is to promote a culture of entrepreneurship in science sothatfindingsfrombasicresearchcanbequickly put into practice. This creates an ideal environment for start-ups and technology transfer. The Cyber Valley Corporate Network drives innovation in the fields of artificial intelligenceandroboticsbypromotingexchange between research, start-ups, and industry and enabling AI-supported insights to be used in a targetedmanner.
Photo:Festocybervalley
ROBOTICS
Onesmallstepforarobot,onegiantleapforrobotics
A robot from the German Aerospace Center plays “I see what you don't see” with its Japanese counterpart on board the International Space Station.
ThetworobotsCIMONfromDLRandInt-Ball2 from the Japanese space agency JAXAon board the International Space Station ISS have communicatedwitheachotherforthefirsttimein theICHIBANexperiment.ICHIBANisJapanese andstandsforthefirst,i.e.thefirstexperimentof itskindinspace.Thespecialthingaboutitisthat thetwosystemsarenotdesignedtobeabletodo this.Newstandardsthereforehadtobedeveloped to close this gap. Another hurdle was that the robotsareconnectedtodifferentISSnetworks.In addition,theexperimentwasdevelopedjointlyby twospaceagenciesacrossseverallanguages.
During the experiment, Japanese astronaut TakuyaŌnishispoketoCIMONintheEuropean Columbusmodule.Heusedhisvoicecommands to control the Int-Ball2 flying camera in the Japanese Kibo module. Once the astronaut had familiarized himself with the Int-Ball2 controls, he located a number of objects inside the Kibo module and photographed them. The items were previouslyhiddenhere.TheseincludedaRubik's cubeandstandardtoolsonboardtheISSsuchas hammers and screwdrivers as well as Int-Ball1, the predecessor of the current Int-Ball2. For this purpose,thecameraimageofInt-Ball2,whichis
normally only visible on Earth in the Japanese control center, was streamed to the CIMON display.
Whatsoundssimpleatfirstisafirstinspace.Not onlydidtwosystemsthatwereneverdesignedfor this purpose have to interact with each other, but thehighsafetystandardsoftheISSalsohadtobe met.Theydonotnormallyallowcommunication across the boundaries of the various networks in thedifferentmodulesoftheISS.
"The ICHIBAN demonstration on the ISS in cooperation with our colleagues at JAXA represents a significant milestone in space robotics. The first-ever communication between the independently developed CIMON and IntBall2systemspavesthewayfortheintegrationof artificialintelligenceandroboticsinexploration. This achievement will significantly improve supportforastronauts,"saysDr.ChristianRogon, ICHIBAN project manager at the German Space AgencyatDLR.
Bothsystemscouldworktogetherinthefutureto support experiments and document them photographically.Theycouldalsouseacamerato inspect the interior of the ISS for defects. They could also detect free-floating objects that could poseadangertothecrewandtheexperimentson board.
HANNOVERMESSE2026:Howindustrymasterschange
Industry is facing a historic transformation –driven by global competition, rising costs, and artificial intelligence. HANNOVER MESSE 2026 willshowhowcompaniescanturnthesepressures into opportunities. With a new thematic structure, optimized visitor navigation, fresh networking formats, and a strong focus on artificial intelligence,theshowwillofferevengreatervalue andamoretargetedexperienceforexhibitorsand attendeesalike.
Global competition, rising cost pressure, and the dynamics of artificial intelligence (AI) are presenting industry with its biggest transformation challenge yet. In this phase of change, companies in the manufacturing sector need a platform to showcase innovation, share knowledge, and highlight best practices. HANNOVER MESSE 2026 will take on precisely this role, demonstrating how automation, digitalization, energy systems, and research can work together to ensure competitiveness.
A new thematic area will focus on production technologies for the defense sector, with exhibitors showcasing specific solutions to help defensemanufacturersscaleupproductioninthe shortest possible time without compromising on security.
"At HANNOVER MESSE, attendees from industrywilllearnhowcompaniescansucceedin this phase of rapid industrial transformation," says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe. "From mechanical engineering to the automotive and electrical industries, decision-makers will find solutionsherethatdriveefficiency,sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness. In short: HANNOVER MESSE highlights the path to the automated,digital,andAI-drivenfactory.”
Around 4,000 companies from the general engineering, electrical, and digital industries, as well as the energy sector, are set to present solutionsfortheproductionandenergysupplyof todayandtomorrow–withAIplayingakeyrole.
"AIisthedecisivetechnologicalleverofourtime, and opens up new opportunities for industrial companiesofallsizes,"saysKöckler."Theshow offers attendees hands-on AI applications and direct insights into how AI can boost productivity.”
AI is a common thread running through all exhibition areas, and plays a central role at virtually every stand. This offering is complemented by AI tours, masterclasses, forums, and networking events organized by HANNOVERMESSE.
TECHNOLOGY
The exhibiting companies include global tech giants such as AWS, Microsoft, SAP, Schneider Electric and Siemens, as well as technology leaders from the SME segment, for example Beckhoff,Festo,HARTING,ifm,LAPP,Phoenix Contact, Rittal, Schaeffler, and SEW. Prominent researchinstitutessuchastheFraunhoferandKIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) will outline the industrial solutions of tomorrow, while more than 300 startups from various technology fields will be showcasing innovations with disruptive potential.
New thematic structure and optimized visitor guidance
A key innovation is the realigned thematic structure, making for a new hall layout. For attendees,thismeansmoredirectorientation;for exhibitors, greater visibility in the relevant environment.
Automation and digitalization are being brought closer together, both spatially and in terms of content. In doing so, HANNOVER MESSE reflects a clear trend, namely the increasing convergenceofsoftwareandhardware–fromAIcontrolled robots and data-driven manufacturing right through to digitalized supply chains. The updated thematic structure is divided into three main exhibition areas: Automation & Digitalization,Energy&IndustrialInfrastructure, andResearch&TechnologyTransfer.
"Thenewlayoutgivesvisibilitytowhathaslong been reality in factories: processes and technologies are no longer separate, but interconnected,"explainsKöckler.
New networking formats for more business contacts
Besides the new spatial layout, HANNOVER MESSE2026willofferfreshknowledge-sharing and networking formats, delivering even greater depthofcontent.Thisallowsexpertsandusersto exchange ideas on specific challenges and their solutions in a hands-on way. From masterclasses andexpertforumstomatchmakingandtheCenter Stage,thenewofferingscementthefair'sroleasa central hub for business, innovation, and networking.
The Center Stage brings together leading minds from industry, politics, and science. Through keynotesandpaneldiscussions,itwilladdressthe majorquestionsofourtime:Howcanweachieve the breakthrough to carbon-neutral production? What role does AI play in industrial value creation? And how can Europe and its partners securetheirtechnologicalsovereignty?
On stage, companies from the automotive, food, furniture,andchemicalindustries,amongothers, will provide insights into their factories –demonstrating how they conceptualize and successfully implement automation, digitalization, and energy efficiency in their productionoperations.
Newthematicarea:DefenseProductionPark
ThenewDefenseProductionParkwillshowcase how modern production technology meets the requirements of security-critical manufacturing while remaining highly scalable. Companies in the defense industry face challenges similar to other industrial sectors, but the new geopolitical erademandstheyrapidlyscaleuptheircapacities intheshortestoftime.Thisnewexhibitiontheme focuses on how companies can achieve this withoutcompromisingtheirsecurityandquality.
Köckler:"WiththeDefenseProductionPark,we areforthefirsttimecreatingadedicatedplatform to demonstrate how automation, digitalization, and scalability interact in this sensitive environment.”
Partner country Brazil: A strategically importantgrowthpartner
Brazil,LatinAmerica'slargesteconomy,willtake center stage at HANNOVER MESSE 2026. The countryoffersvastpotential–fromgreenenergy andrawmaterialsrightthroughtoafast-growing industrial market. More than 1,500 German companiesarealreadyactivethere,accountingfor aroundtenpercentofBrazil'sindustrialoutput.
"Working with Brazil goes beyond trade – it's a strategic partnership," says Köckler. In times of global tension, dependable partners are all the moreessential.HANNOVERMESSEistheideal platformtostrengthentheseties.”
TRAVEL
ITBIndia2025ReturnswithInternationalKeyExhibitors
Thethree-dayB2Btradeshowandconvention will take place from 2–4 September at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. With 400+ exhibitors, 150+ speakers and 600+ Indian and South Asian buyers, ITB India offers exceptional opportunities for business collaborationandservesasagatewaytooneof theworld'smostdynamictravelmarkets.Top exhibitors include Ministry of Tourism of the RepublicofIndonesia,VisitNorthernFinland, andSarawakTourismBoard,reflectingstrong industryengagementandglobalparticipation.
ITBIndiaissettoreturnforitsfourtheditionfrom 2 to 4 September 2025. Taking place alongside MICE Show India and Travel Tech India, the three-day business-to-business trade show and conventiononceagainprovidesacomprehensive platform for industry networking, knowledge exchange and business development across the entire travel and tourism spectrum. With over
8,000 attendees expected, ITB India 2025 will bringtogetherkeyindustryprofessionalsfromthe MICE, Corporate, and Leisure sectors, creating unparalleled pathways to the Indian and South Asiantravelmarkets.Morethan600high-caliber IndianandSouthAsianbuyerswillbepresent, unlockingvaluablenetworkingopportunitiesand catalysingbusinessgrowth.
Darren Seah, Executive Director of Messe BerlinAsiaPacificandorganiserofITBIndia, MICEShowIndia,andTravelTechIndia,says: "The Indian and South Asian travel markets are growing rapidly, and international demand in thesemarketsisgrowingintandem.With80%of our attendees being decision-makers, ITB India 2025 provides the ideal platform to form highlevelstrategicpartnershipswithkeystakeholders andtop-levelexecutives,promoteinnovation,and drivebusinessgrowthinoneofthemostdynamic travelmarkets."
Key Global Exhibitors at ITB India 2025 This year'sline-upfeaturesadiverserangeofover400 exhibitors, including leading international and regional travel companies. Among them are hotels and resorts, including Prince Hotels & Resorts, Prime Plaza Hotels and Resorts, VEGA Hotel and Convention Center, MAGICAL POND AURORA BOREALIS IGLOOS,andPearlMara.
Tour operators include Pearl Mara Expeditions, Majagaru Holidays, Viet Vision
Travel, The Golden Gate Travel, Nordic Unique Travels Oy, Destination 2 Italia, Ren Tours & Treks, Galaxy Expeditions, and Fly24hrs.
TraveltechnologyproviderssuchasCruisehost Solutions, LotusFlare, Netstorming, and Infiniti Software Solutions will showcase cutting-edge solutions inAI, big data, CRM, and loyalty platforms, supporting the industry in unlockingthefullpotentialofpersonalisedtravel experiences.
Steelmaking, a cornerstone of global industry, is also one of the world's heaviest polluters—responsible for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions. In particular, heat treatment poweredbynaturalgascontributesanastonishing 39billiontonsofCO₂annually.Confrontingthis challenge head-on, the Swiss Steel Group has embarked on the HYDREAMS project, an EUfunded initiative launched in April 2023 to explorecleanhydrogenasasubstitutefornatural gasinsteelprocessing.
HYDREAMS is pioneering new territory. Few studies have delved into how hydrogen flames impactsteelproperties,exhaustgases,orfurnace performance. Laurent Sieye, Sustainability Manager at Ugitech (Swiss Steel Group), highlightsthedualnatureofthisinnovation:while hydrogen offers a path to decarbonization, risks such as higher NOx emissions and potential effects on steel quality and furnace durability cannotbeignored.
The project's phased approach reflects both ambitionandcaution—beginningwithlaboratory simulations and progressing to real-world industrial tests. Early experiments with 13 steel grades revealed no structural differences, an encouragingsignthathydrogencanindeedserve as a clean alternative. Now, three demonstration plants are planned: one already operational since March 2025, with two more slated to launch in 2026.
Beyond technical feasibility, HYDREAMS aims to deliver comprehensive safety, cost, and lifecycle assessments. The findings could help positionhydrogenasamoreviablealternativeto electric heating, which often struggles with uneventemperaturesandequipmentwear.
By charting this hydrogen pathway, Swiss Steel Group is not only supporting EU climate goals butalsoofferingtheglobalsteelindustryavision of a cleaner, more resilient future—where innovation fuels both sustainability and competitiveness.
Southeast Asia, home to nearly 700 million people,hasemergedasoneoftheworld'sfastestgrowing economic hubs.With a combined GDP of US$4 trillion in 2024,ASEAN is already the world'sfifth-largesteconomy—andissettoriseto fourthplaceby2030.Thismomentumiscreating unprecedented opportunities for industries that form the backbone of infrastructure and progress—wire,cable,andtubemanufacturing
.
Powering Connectivity: The Wire & CableIndustry
The region's rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and surging demand for air conditioninganddigitalnetworksaredrivinga robust need for wires and cables. By 2025, the Southeast Asian wire and cable market is projected to reach US$5.2 billion, growing at a CAGRof7.6%toUS$9.3billionby2033
Electric mobility is a rising star, with Vietnam recording 15% of new car sales as electric in
2023,andThailandclosebehindat10%.FromEV charging infrastructure to massive power transmission projects, cables are the silent enablers of transformation. By 2035, ASEAN's electricity demand will exceed 2,000 TWh, underscoringtheindustry'scriticalrole
StrengthinStructure:TheTube&Pipe Market
Equallyvitalaretubesandpipes,whichchannel life's essentials—water, energy, and industrial flows. By 2025, Southeast Asia's pipes market will touch US$6 billion, doubling to US$12 billionby2035ataCAGRof6.5%.
· Steel pipes remain indispensable for oil, gas, construction, and wastewater industries due totheirdurabilityandhigh-pressureresilience.
· Plasticpipes,valuedatUS$9.1billionin 2024, are projected to surpass US$20 billion by 2030, driven by their cost-effectiveness, lightweight design, and corrosion resistance—a boon for construction and irrigation
WhyWire&TubeSoutheastAsia2025Matters
Setagainstthisdynamicbackdrop,Wire&Tube Southeast Asia 2025, scheduled in Bangkok from 17–19 September 2025, offers a powerful stageforglobalsuppliersandregionalbuyers.Itis not just a trade fair—it is a gateway to innovation, collaboration, and market expansion.
Ÿ For manufacturers: A platform to showcase state-of-the-art technologies, from advanced extrusion systems to next-gen testing andmonitoringsolutions.
Ÿ Forvisitors:Achancetoexplorecuttingedge solutions, forge partnerships, and gain insightsintofuture-readystrategies.
Outlook:TheRoadAhead
As ASEAN marches towards becoming the world'sfourth-largesteconomy,thedemandfor modern infrastructure, sustainable energy, and smart technologies will only accelerate. Wire, cable,andtubeindustriesstandattheheartofthis transformation.
Wire & Tube Southeast Asia 2025 is where vision meets opportunity—where the technologies of today shape the resilient, connected,andsustainablesocietiesoftomorrow.
At the World Air Transport Summit (WATS), followingthe81stIATAAnnualGeneralMeeting, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) proudly announced the winners of the 2025Diversity&Inclusion(D&I)Awards.These awards honor the leaders and organizations transforming aviation into a more inclusive, representative,andfuture-readyindustry.
The Inspirational Role Model Award went to CaptainClaudiaZapata-Cardone,Presidentof Latin Professionals in Aerospace (LPA). The daughter of Latino immigrants and a seasoned airlinecaptain,Claudiahasdedicatedhercareerto breaking barriers for underrepresented communities. Under her leadership, LPA has expanded scholarships, grown female membership, and launched impactful initiatives like ALAS for youth, ELLAS for Latinas in aerospace,andCompasióntosupportpilotmental health.Herjourneyembodiescourage,resilience, andadeepcommitmenttorepresentation.
The High Flyer Award was presented to Katherine Moloney, Founder of Elevate (her) Aviation. This pioneering online platform and global community works to increase women's participationinaviationcareersworldwide.With partnerships spanning British Airways, Virgin Atlantic,andmanymore,Elevate(her)hasbuilta
free, accessible support system for aspiring aviation professionals. In just one year, it has expanded to thousands of members across 63 countries,reachingmillionsonlineandinspiringa newgenerationofwomenaviators.
The Diversity & Inclusion Team Award recognized Air Canada, whose CARE model—Community Outreach, Accountability, Representation, and Engagement & Belonging—setsanewbenchmarkforinclusivity. Their innovative programs, AC Spark and AC Take Off, open aviation pathways for underrepresented youth, providing mentorship, scholarships,andaccesstocareersthatstrengthen bothcommunitiesandtheindustry.
Supported by Qatar Airways, each awardee received a $25,000 prize, reinforcing how diversity initiatives drive both equity and innovation.WillieWalsh,IATADirectorGeneral, emphasizedthatdiversityisnotjusttherightthing todobutalsoastrategicadvantageforaviation's growthandglobalimpact.
Thesechampionsdemonstratethatwhenaviation embracesdiversity,itdoesmorethanfillseats—it uplifts societies, fuels progress, and ensures that theskiesremainopentoallwhodaretodream.
IATAAppointsThomasReynaerttoLeadGlobalAdvocacy
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the appointment of Thomas Reynaert as Senior Vice President, External Affairs.From1September2025,Reynaertwillbe responsible for coordinating IATA's global advocacy efforts from its office in Brussels, Belgium.
ReynaertjoinsIATAfromIBMwherehewasVice President,GovernmentandRegulatoryAffairsfor Europe, the Middle East and Africa from 2023. Prior to IBM, Reynaert was the founding Managing Director ofAirlines for Europe (A4E) andsuccessfullyranA4Efrom2016to2023.His experienceinaviationandtechnologyextendsto aerospace, having spent the seven years prior to joiningA4EatUnitedTechnologiesasPresident, InternationalOperationsEurope,withafocuson governmentaffairs.
“It is critical that governments understand the value aviation creates and the challenges that airlines face as they connect people and economies. Thomas brings knowledge and experience that will help IATA increase the effectiveness of our work with governments and
regulators. Although Thomas will be based in BrusselswithanimmediatefocusonEUmatters, hewillberesponsibleforleadingIATA'steamof advocates globally, including in Washington and at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).TogethertheIATAadvocacyteam'sgoal is to make it easier for airlines to sustainably generate the economic and social benefits that governments,businessesandpeopledependon,” saidWillieWalsh,IATA'sDirectorGeneral.
“Global airlines face many challenges. Safely transportingfivebillionpeopleand3.2%ofGDP each year is a modern miracle. While doing this critical work, airlines face the burden of onerous taxation, the imperative of achieving net zero carbonemissionsby2050,andthefragmentation of global standards with novel and potentially value-destroying approaches to everything from slots to passenger rights. I'll be working with governments worldwide for a more productive regulatory environment in which airlines can efficiently compete and grow as they deliver the globalconnectivitythatmakesourworldabetter place,”saidReynaert.
Theglobalaviationindustryisentering2025with asenseofresilience,renewal,andresponsibility. Despite slower global GDP growth forecasts, airlines are charting a course toward expansion, profitability, and sustainability—demonstrating theirabilitytoadaptinacomplexenvironment
PassengerTrafficontheRise
Passengertrafficworldwideisforecasttogrowby 5.8% in 2025, with Asia leading the surge. Domestic and international travel in Asian marketscontinuestoexpand,supportedbyrising incomes, urbanization, and strong regional connectivity. This positions Asia-Pacific as the strongestgrowthengineinglobalaviation.
CargoModerationafteraStrongRun
After stellar performance in 2024, air cargo growthhasbeguntomoderate.Whiledemandhas eased,cargoremainsavitalcontributortoglobal trade resilience, underpinning supply chains that stretchacrosscontinents.
ManagingCostsandFuelChallenges
Fuel remains the largest cost component, accountingfor26%ofairlineoperatingcostsin 2025. Interestingly, jet fuel prices do not always moveinlockstepwithcrudeoil,creatingvolatility forairlines.Assustainabilitygoalsintensify,fuel efficiency and alternative energy solutions will
becomeincreasinglycentraltoairlinestrategies
ProfitabilityRestored
Globalairlinesareexpectedtodeliveranetprofit of USD 36 billion in 2025, representing a 3.7% margin. NorthAmerica will lead in profitability, while Asia-Pacific's expanding markets bring scale and opportunity. Yet, challenges persist, with rising capital costs and severe delays in aircraftdeliveriestestingoperationalresilience.
APathForward
Theindustry'slong-termsustainabilityhingeson balancinggrowthwithresponsibility.Airlinesare innovating through fleet modernization, digital efficiency, and low-carbon initiatives to secure bothprofitabilityandenvironmentalstewardship. With an average USD 7.2 profit per passenger, every journey becomes a step toward rebuilding trust,confidence,andglobalmobility
Conclusion
2025isnotjustayearofnumbers—itisadefining moment.Airlinesareprovingthatturbulencecan be transformed into opportunity. By embracing innovation and sustainability, the industry is not merely recovering; it is flying into a future where connectivity fuels prosperity and progressforall.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host the third World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) in Hong Kong SAR, China, on 21–22 October 2025, with Cathay Pacific as the host airline. For the first time, this flagship eventonaviationsustainabilitywilltakeplacein Asia, gathering leaders from aviation, energy, finance,andpolicytoaccelerateprogresstoward theindustry'sambitiousgoalofachievingnetzero CO₂emissionsby2050.
Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam welcomed the event,notingHongKong'spotentialtobecomea majorhubforSustainableAviationFuel(SAF)in Asia. “Collaboration across multiple sectors is essentialtodecarbonization,andtheSymposium provides a vital platform to drive meaningful change,”hesaid.
IATA's Director General Willie Walsh underscored the urgency of action: “Airlines are fully committed to net zero by 2050. But timely support from policymakers, manufacturers, and fuel suppliers is still lacking. WSS is a rallying
call to remove barriers, unlock financing, and accelerateinnovation.”
Strategically positioned between the 42nd ICAO Assembly and COP30, WSS will spotlight pragmatic measures such as scaling SAF production, securing the $4.7 trillion needed for decarbonization, integrating emerging technologies, and strengthening value-chain collaboration.
The agenda features influential voices including JunMa(HongKongGreenFinanceAssociation), Fabiano Piccino (Kuehne+Nagel), Jouk Boeye (HSBC), Christopher Au (WTW), and Ayesha Choudhury (Infinium). Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA's SVP Sustainability, emphasized that aviation'sdecarbonizationmustbeseenaspartof the global energy transition requiring a holistic, cross-sectorapproach.
With over 500 global participants, WSS 2025 aims to turn pledges into action and chart a sustainablecourseforaviation'sfuture.
BreakingBarriers:IATACalls
forReleaseof$1.3Billionin BlockedAirlineFunds
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued a renewed and urgent call for governments to unlock $1.3 billion in airline revenues currently blocked from repatriation worldwideasofApril2025.Althoughthismarksa 25%improvementfromthe$1.7billionrecorded in October 2024, the persistence of such restrictions continues to threaten the viability of airlines and the connectivity they provide to economiesandcommunities.
IATA's Director General Willie Walsh stressed that timely repatriation is essential for airlines operatingonthinmargins,particularlygiventheir dollar-denominated costs. “Delays and denials not only violate bilateral agreements but also weaken the ability of airlines to sustain connectivitythateconomiesandjobsdependon,” hesaid.
TheissueismostacuteintheAfricaandMiddle East (AME) region, which alone accounts for 85%ofthetotalblockedfunds,or$1.1billion
.Theconcentrationofsuchchallengesinmarkets already struggling with economic volatility underscorestheurgencyofreform.
Ÿ XAF Zone (Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Congo,EquatorialGuinea,Gabon)–$191million
Ÿ Algeria–$178million
Ÿ Lebanon–$142million
Ÿ Bangladesh–$92million
Ÿ Angola–$84million
Ÿ Pakistan–$83million
Ÿ Eritrea–$76million
Ÿ Zimbabwe–$68million
Ÿ Ethiopia–$44million
Progressisvisibleinsomemarkets: Bangladesh and Pakistan have reduced their blocked funds significantly from October 2024 levels, while Boliviahascleareditsbacklogentirely.However, Mozambique's worsening position, climbing to the top with $205 million withheld, signals
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persistentrisks
Africa&MiddleEast:TheEpicenterof theCrisis
The AME region is disproportionately affected, with29countriesreportingblockedfunds
. Despite some improvements in Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia, others like Mozambique, Algeria, and Lebanon continue to hold back hundreds of millions.
Blocked funds severely constrain airlines' cash flow, limiting the number of markets they can serve and undermining air connectivity.This has ripple effects on trade, tourism, and job creation—areas especially critical for African economies where aviation already faces 17% higherfuelpricesand12–15%highertaxesand chargescomparedtoglobalaverages
IATAwarnsthatwhenairlinescannotaccesstheir earnings, investor confidence drops, and countries are branded as high-risk destinations This further reduces inward investment and weakensintegrationintoglobalsupplychains.
Europe: Competitiveness Under Pressure
In Europe, the challenge is less about blocked funds and more about cost competitiveness. Airlinesfacerisingburdensfrompassengertaxes, sustainability compliance costs, and escalating infrastructurecharges.
Ÿ EU261 consumer regulation adds €5 billion annually in compensation costs, often encouragingcancellationsratherthansolutions
Ÿ ANSPchargesroseby25%between2019 and 2024, despite fewer flights, while delays remainchronic
Ÿ The ReFuelEU sustainability mandate, though laudable in ambition, has imposed an additional $1.7 billion in compliance costs on
airlines in 2025 alone—funds that could have financed3.5milliontonnesofCO₂reductions
.Europe illustrates how regulatory misalignment and excessive costs can suppress connectivity, eveninmaturemarkets.
The Americas: Reform and Opportunity
Across the Americas, the aviation story is more mixed. On the one hand, connectivity is rebounding strongly, with Latin America and the Caribbean recording 10.9% passenger growthyear-on-yearinApril2025
. On the other, outdated regulation, excessive taxation, and infrastructure bottlenecks remain hurdles.
Positiveexamplesshinethrough:
Ÿ Argentina has liberalized its market, signing 14 bilateral air service agreements and opening ground handling, which boosted internationalroutesby10.5%year-on-year
Ÿ Guatemala's passenger traffic surged—international traffic up 45% and domesticup161%since2019—thankstoreforms andmodernizationplans
.Guyana is leveraging aviation as a pillar of national development, particularly as it develops itsoileconomy
faces the challenge of decarbonization. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is central to IATA's net-zero 2050 strategy, yet production remainsbelow1%ofglobaljetfuelconsumption
.While over 300 SAF projects are in the pipeline globally, technology rollout, financing gaps, and policy inconsistencies risk constraining outputto400milliontonnesby2050—belowthe 500millionneeded
IATA highlights the paradox of policies that subsidize fossil fuels by $1 trillion annually while penalizing renewables. Redirecting even a fraction of these funds could accelerate SAF deploymentwithinfiveyears
WhyBlockedFundsMatter
At its core, the blocked funds issue reflects a deepercontradiction.Aviationisbothastrategic enabler of economic growth and an easy fiscal target for struggling governments. Short-term restrictions on repatriation may provide governments temporary liquidity, but they damagelong-termcompetitivenessby:
2. Hurting Tourism and Trade – Air connectivity is vital for global value chains and serviceindustries.
3. Damaging Reputation – Countries gain reputations as risky or unreliable markets, deterringinvestors.
4. Violating International Agreements –Such actions erode trust in bilateral air service treaties.
ACallforGovernmentAction
IATA is clear: resolving blocked funds requires politicalwill.Governmentsmust:
Ÿ Prioritize aviation in foreign exchange allocation, recognizing its catalytic role in development.
Ÿ Honor international treaties, ensuring compliancewithbilateralairserviceagreements.
Ÿ Consult with industry to design transparentandfairfinancialframeworks.
Ÿ Avoid excessive taxation and regulation, which compound existing financial strain.
As Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group CEO, noted at the AGM: “It is affirmingtowitnessourindustrybloomingonthe tenets of diversity and inclusion. But longevity also depends on ensuring financial access. Aviationcannotthrivewhererevenuesarelocked away.”
Conclusion
Thepersistenceof$1.3billioninblockedairline fundsisnotmerelyafinancialinconvenience—it isasystemicrisktoglobalconnectivity,jobs,and economicopportunity.Thefactthat85%ofthese funds are concentrated in Africa and the MiddleEasthighlightsboththeurgencyandthe opportunity for governments in these regions to act.
At the same time, lessons from Europe and the Americas show that aviation flourishes where policiesprioritizecompetitiveness,sustainability, andopenmarkets.Conversely,itstagnateswhere governments impose excessive costs or restrict financialflows.
The path forward is clear: governments must breakthebarriers—releaseblockedfunds,align regulations with global standards, and support sustainablegrowth.Onlythencanaviationfulfill itsroleasadriverofprosperity,innovation,and globalconnection,ensuringthatnocountryisleft isolated from the lifelines of trade, tourism, and humanprogress.
ABBIndiaMarks30YearsofNSEListing
ABB India Limited, a leading player in electrification and automation, today celebrated 30 years of its listing on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) with a ceremonial bell-ringing eventatNSEMumbai.
TheeventwasgracedbyAshishkumarChauhan, MD & CEO of NSE, and Sanjeev Sharma, Country Head and Managing Director, ABB India, alongside senior leaders from both organizations.
Listed on February 8, 1995, ABB India has evolved from a traditional electrical equipment and engineering firm into a future-ready electrificationandautomationtechnologyleader. Over the past three decades, the company has consistently delivered strong financial performance and shareholder value.Alot of 100 shares purchased at listing for INR 8,883 is now worth over INR 608,050, reflecting a 6,745% increase,excludingdividends.
“This is a landmark year for ABB India,” said Sanjeev Sharma. “Following 75 years of manufacturing and innovation in the country, we are now proud to celebrate three decades as a listedentityontheNSE.Overtheyears,wehave successfully navigated market cycles, embraced
digital transformation, and remained committed to delivering high-performance, sustainable solutions.Wehavenotonlyempoweredindustries tooutrunleanerandcleanerbuthavealsowalked the talk in making our own operations resourceefficientandsustainable.”
Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO of NSE, added,“ABBIndia's30-yearjourneyontheNSE is a testament to its resilience, innovation, and governance. Its growth story mirrors the rise of India's capital markets with NSE becoming the fifthlargestexchangeintheworldbytotalmarket capitalization.”
ABB India has expanded its operations from manufacturing to include R&D, engineering operations,andbusinessservices.Today,itserves 23industrysegments,upfromjustsixintheearly years. Over 90% of its India-made products are consumed locally under its 'Local for Local' strategy.
This milestone is not just a reflection of ABB India's past, but a promise to keep shaping the future of India's modern infrastructure, digitalization,andenergytransition.
