The Arab Air Carriers Organization is holding its 45th Annual General
Meeting from 5-7 November 2012 in the Algerian capital, Algiers. The symposium this year is hosted by the Chief Executive Officer of Air Algérie, Mohamed Salah
Boultif, who is also Chairman of the AGM, with patron, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria. |
| Arab Airlines |
This year’s AGM gathers more than three hundred civil aviation leaders in the Arab world and worldwide.
The AGM’s Opening Ceremony will take place tonight (Monday 5 November) at “The Palace of Culture”, whereby the representative of the Patron of the AGM, the AGM Chairman and the AACO Secretary General will deliver their speeches. The AGM Working Sessions will be held the tomorrow 6 November 2012, at “El Mawakif Ballroom” at “El Aurassi Hotel”. AACO Secretary General, Abdul Wahab Teffaha, will present his report on the state of the industry to the AGM and Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO of IATA, will present a keynote address to the AGM regarding industry issues.
AACO’s Annual Report and the annual statistical publication (Arab Air Transport Statistics – AATS) will as usual be distributed to AGM
attendees, noting that in 2011 the Arab air transport market grew by
5.7% compared to 2010, reaching 133 million passengers and is expected
to reach 140 million passengers in 2012. This growing sector contributes
by not less than USD 100 billion to the GDP of the Arab world.
Also on 6 November, AACO members will meet
for a closed session to discuss and decide on internal and
administrative issues related to AACO’s work and common strategic issues
between members.
The General Meeting will also witness a discussion panel gathering a
group of distinguished speakers to discuss the models of collaboration
available to Arab airlines; noting that 2012 witnessed the joining of
three Arab airlines to global alliances; in addition to two Arab
airlines already members in global alliances since 2007 and 2008. Other
Arab airlines chose different models of collaboration with other
airlines, whereby some started to invest in those airlines while others
enhanced their positive partnerships with selected ones.
This year Max Kingsley-Jones, Editor of Airline Business, will
moderate the Joint Aviation Forum. The following panelists will be
participating in the discussion:
- Akbar Al Baker - Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways
- Tim Clark - President of Emirates Airline
- Temel Kotil - President and Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Airlines
- John Byerly - Consultant/Former Deputy of The Secretary of State/ Transportation in the US
- Geoffrey Weston - Head of Group Strategy & Development at IAG
The General Meeting will conclude its work on the same day with a
press conference to be held at “El Mawakif Ballroom” at El Aurassi Hotel
gathering the AGM Chairman and AACO Secretary General who will be available to answer questions of the press.