26 February 2026 (Geneva) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the opening of nominations for the 2026 edition of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Awards. The Awards recognize excellence in the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry in three categories:
‘A diverse and inclusive aviation sector is essential to attract the talent needed to support the growth of the industry and enable it to deliver connectivity that underpins trade, tourism, jobs, and economic development. I look forward to seeing another impressive set of nominations reflecting the many efforts across our industry to ensure that aviation can be a rewarding career choice for all. If you have experienced excellence in this area, tell us about it in a nomination and help inspire others,’ said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Each award includes a USD 25,000 prize, generously sponsored by Qatar Airways, payable either directly to the recipient or to a charity of their choice supporting diversity and inclusion.
‘Diversity is fundamental to aviation and to the way our industry operates every day. Working across cultures and backgrounds is what makes aviation a dynamic and inspiring workplace. As the World’s Best Airline, Qatar Airways is proud to be a long-standing partner of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards and recognize the individuals and teams driving progress for our industry’s long‑term success,’ said Qatar Airways.
An independent judging panel chaired by Karen Walker, Editor-in-Chief, Air Transport World will evaluate the nominations. The panel consists of the 2025 awardees, namely
The winners will be announced at IATA’s 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) & World Air Transport Summit (WATS) on 6-8 June 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil