The Arab Air Carriers Organization is holding its 45th Annual General Meeting on 5-7 November 2012 in Algeria under the High Patronage of H.E. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, and by kind invitation of Mr. Mohamed Salah Boultif, Chairman of the 45th AGM and President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Algérie. 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 at “The Palace of Culture”, whereby the representative of the Patron of the AGM, AGM Chairman and AACO Secretary General will deliver their speeches. The AGM Working Sessions will be held the following day, on 6 November 2012, at “El Mawakif Ballroom” at “El Aurassi Hotel”. AACO Secretary General, Mr. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, will present his report on the state of the industry to the AGM and Mr. 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 be as usual distributed to the 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 Mr. Max Kingsley-Jones/ Editor at Airline Business, will moderate the Joint Aviation Forum. The following panelists will be participating in the discussion:
• H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker/ Chief Executive Officer / Qatar Airways
• Mr. Adel Al Redha/ Executive Vice President Engineering & Operations/ Emirates Airline
• Dr. Temel Kotil/ President and Chief Executive Officer / Turkish Airlines
• Mr. John Byerly/ Consultant/Former Deputy of The Secretary of State/ Transportation
• Mr. Geoffrey Weston/ Head of Group Strategy & Development / 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.