Doha: Qatar Airways Hosts 59th AACO Annual General Meeting

The Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO) opened its 59th Annual General Meeting in Doha on Monday, November 2, under the patronage of Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Qatar Airways said in a statement on Tuesday.

Qatar Airways is hosting the three-day meeting, which runs until November 4 at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. More than 200 senior figures from the sector are attending, among them the chief executives of AACO member airlines, representatives of partner carriers and officials from major aviation organisations.

Opening addresses

The opening session featured speeches by Hamad Al-Khater, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways and chairman of the AGM, and by AACO Secretary General Abdul Wahab Teffaha.

Al-Khater described the sector as going through a hard stretch, with geopolitical events disrupting air links worldwide.

“Our priority, together with our fellow AACO members, is to build on the partnerships this year has deepened, strengthening the resilience of our region and advancing a shared vision for the future of Arab aviation,” he said.

Teffaha thanked the State of Qatar for its patronage and Qatar Airways for hosting the delegates. He listed the pressures facing carriers, ranging from geopolitical uncertainty and operational strain to the growing demand for environmental sustainability, while arguing that Arab airlines have repeatedly shown they can adapt and innovate.

He called the meeting “an important platform to exchange views, strengthen cooperation, and identify practical solutions to our shared challenges.”

Tuesday’s working sessions

The working sessions were scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 3, with the Secretary General’s “State of the Industry” report, reviewing recent developments, challenges and opportunities for airlines.

Khalid Cherkaoui, Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), was due to speak next, followed by a presentation on the global economic outlook and what it means for aviation.

Arab Aviation Summit and closed session

The programme also includes the Arab Aviation Summit, built around a high-level panel of airline chief executives and sector leaders discussing the most urgent issues facing the industry.

A closed-door session reserved for AACO members will follow the summit, covering internal and administrative matters as well as the main strategic challenges confronting member airlines.

Qatar Airways said in its statement that it links Doha with more than 170 destinations during the winter season through Hamad International Airport, its hub.