Qatar Airways hosts 54th annual general meeting of AACO

* The 'landmark' event at the Sheraton Resort & Convention Hotel from Wednesday is the first in-person AACO AGM since Covid-19 pandemic

Qatar Airways has welcomed industry leaders, international and regional aviation organisations, airline manufacturers and air transport executives from around the world to Doha as it hosts the 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Arab Air Carriers’ Organisation (AACO). The 'landmark' event at the Sheraton Resort & Convention Hotel is the first in-person AACO AGM since the Covid-19 pandemic. It is being hosted under the patronage of HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and at the invitation of Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker.This important summit will see senior aviation decision-makers – including the CEOs of member airlines – gather for three days, from November 10 to 12, to discuss the strategic aviation issues in the region, including the challenges and impact of Covid-19, as the industry works together for a safe, secure, and sustainable restart and recovery of the aviation sector. The director general of the Arab Civil Aviation Organisation, the director general for Mobility and Transport/European Commission, and the director general of IATA are also participating in this landmark event.Al-Baker said, “As the aviation industry continues to navigate some of the most uncertain market conditions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, there has never been a more critical moment to come together as a unified voice on the path to recovery. That is why Qatar Airways is proud to host the 54th AACO AGM – a platform for our regional Arab bloc of air carriers to collectively ensure that our industry emerges from this unprecedented crisis stronger than ever.” AACO secretary-general Abdul Wahab Teffaha said, “After a year and a half of unexpected disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic that impacted all aspects of life, it is very fitting that we meet for AACO’s 54th Annual General Meeting in a state that views aviation as a major contributor to economic growth and job creation. My appreciation and gratitude go to HE Minister Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti for bestowing his patronage on this General Assembly and HE Akbar al-Baker for hosting this assembly with the genuine hospitality that we always enjoy in the State of Qatar and with our host Qatar Airways.”The AGM working sessions will be held tomorrow and will feature AACO secretary-general’s report on the ‘State of the Industry’, a speech by the Arab Civil Aviation Organisation’s director general, Abdennabi Manar and a speech by IATA director general, Willie Walsh.These will be followed by a discussion panel gathering chief executive officers and directors general on strategic issues related to the aviation industry. The panel will be moderated this year by Richard Quest, CNN anchor and correspondent.Panellists participating in the session are: Abdelhamid Addou, chairman of the board and CEO, Royal Air Maroc; Tony Douglas, group chief executive officer, Etihad Aviation Group; Henrik Hololei, director-general (Mobility and Transport), European Commission; Abdennabi Manar, director general, Arab Civil Aviation Organisation and Willie Walsh.The chairman of the AGM, al-Baker, was also invited to participate in the discussion.