Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – The 56th Annual General Meeting of the Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO) will be held between 30 October and 01 November 2023 at the “Crowne Plaza RDC” hotel in Riyadh, hosted by Saudia under the Patronage of His Excellency Engr. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, with the participation of more than 200 Arab and global aviation experts gathering Chief Executive Officers of AACO member airlines, partner airlines and industry partners from aircraft and engine manufacturers, global distribution systems, information technology partners and others. The Directors General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Transport Association are also attending the AGM.
The AGM’s opening will take place on 30 October at Al Diriyah Governorate – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, the Director General of Saudia Group and the Chairman of AACO’s 56th Annual General Meeting will be addressing the delegates, then AACO Secretary General, Mr. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, will be giving a speech, followed by a speech by His Excellency, Engr. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation.
The AGM working sessions will be held on 31 October at the "Crown Plaza RDC" hotel at the "Sultana Ballroom". The sessions will feature AACO Secretary General’s report on the “State of the Industry”, a speech by the Arab Civil Aviation Organization’s Director General, Eng. Abdennabi Manar, and a speech by IATA’s Director General/CEO, Mr. Willie Walsh.
These will be followed by the Arab Aviation Summit which will address the strategic issues that the air transport industry deals with. A panel by a number of CEOs will set the scene for that discussion, moderated by Mr. Richard Quest / Anchor and Correspondent of CNN. The panelists will be:
• Mr. Abdelhamid Addou / Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer / Royal Air Maroc
• Eng. Samer Majali / Vice Chairman / Board Designee CEO / Royal Jordanian
• Mr. Tony Douglas / Chief Executive Officer / Riyadh Air
• Mr. Adel Al-Redha / Chief Operating Officer / Emirates
After the Summit, a closed session for AACO members will be held to discuss and decide on administrative, financial, and strategic issues related to AACO’s work.
The AGM will conclude on the same day with a press conference to be held at “Ibn Batuta 3” at the “Crowne Plaza RDC” hotel at 5:00 pm.