Turkish Airlines is hosting the World Safety and Operations Conference, organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center from October 6 to October 8. The conference, themed "Performance Through People," will include over 45 hours of sessions covering four main areas: safety, cabin operations, air operations, and crisis management. It brings together professionals from airlines, regulatory bodies, and aviation-related fields, including pilots, engineers, cabin crews, and air traffic controllers. The previous conference took place in 2025 in Xiamen, China, where more than 850 participants from 62 countries attended. A key topic of discussion is the role of technology, data, artificial intelligence, and automation in improving aviation safety. These tools are seen as ways to enhance understanding and decision-making, but they are not a substitute for human expertise. Nick Carean, Vice President of Operations, Safety, and Security at IATA, emphasized that "people form the foundation of aviation safety." He noted that while technology can help identify challenges and improve decision-making, it is the skills, judgment, and leadership of aviation professionals that ultimately ensure safety improvements are implemented effectively. Another topic of focus in Istanbul is the impact of geopolitical risks on aviation operations. Conflicts, airspace restrictions, and route changes can require airlines to adapt their operations quickly. Ahmet Olmuştur, CEO of Turkish Airlines, highlighted the need for airlines to prioritize safety in such unpredictable situations. The conference also includes discussions on turbulence, with IATA promoting its Turbulence Aware initiative, which allows participating airlines to share data on turbulence events. This exchange aims to improve detection and help crews and operational teams make better decisions. According to data presented at the conference, the rate of fatal accidents has improved significantly over the past decade. Ten years ago, there was approximately one fatal accident for every 3.5 million flights, but in 2025, the rate has decreased to one accident for every 5.6 million flights.