IUA Circular 056/26

Cyber and Emerging Risks in the Aviation Sector

Date: 10 June 2026
  
Interest Groups: IUA member contacts, insert other interest groups
  
Subject: Publication of an emerging risks survey conducted by the IUA and the International Union of Aerospace Insurers

IUA Contact:  Tom Hughes, Director of Underwriting ( 44 (0)78 2533 4264)

Download 'Cyber and Emerging Risks 2026' 

The IUA, together with the International Union of Aerospace Insurers (IUAI) and Swiss Re, has published the results of a new survey that reveals a significant shift in the aviation insurance landscape, as systemic risks increasingly shape underwriting priorities and market outlook.
 
More than 100 106 aviation insurance and reinsurance professionals worldwide were interviewed by the IUAI's Cyber and Emerging Risks Study Group. Their responses showed that geopolitical, economic and operational pressures are increasingly interconnected, creating new challenges for aviation insurers, reinsurers and operators alike. 
 
The IUAI Cyber and Emerging Risks Study Group is co-charied by IUA Director of Underwriting Tom Huhges and Florian Zierer, Aviation Underwriter at Swiss Re. It has now conducted a sector survey for the past three years.

Key findings from the 2026 exercise include:

•Geopolitical instability and war is now the aviation sector's most significant threat, receiving 79 first-place votes – the strongest result recorded since the survey was launched in 2024.
•US claims inflation emerged as the greatest challenge facing aviation (re)insurers, ahead of market conditions and rate adequacy.
•Supply chain and manufacturing issues entered the industry's top three threats for the first time, highlighting ongoing concerns around aircraft production, maintenance and repair capacity.
•Operational resilience remains a major concern for airlines and airports, with air traffic control issues, infrastructure constraints and workforce shortages identified as the most urgent risks requiring attention in 2026.
•Artificial Intelligence (AI), new aircraft technologies and growing demand for aviation services remain the sector's greatest opportunities, marking the third consecutive year these themes have topped the rankings.

The findings suggest aviation risks are increasingly being driven by external geopolitical, economic and technological developments rather than traditional aviation-specific exposures.
 
Please access a copy of the full report via the download button at the top of this mailing.