Rabat, 4 November 2025 – The 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) was held today in Rabat, Morocco, under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and by kind invitation of Mr. Abdelhamid Addou, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of Royal Air Maroc, who also chaired the AGM.
The event brought together more than 300 high-level participants, including CEOs of Arab airlines, partner airlines, industry partners, and representatives from regional and international organizations.
The AGM working sessions featured a State of the Industry report by Mr. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, AACO Secretary General; addresses by Mr. Abdennebi Manar, Director General of ACAO, and Mr. Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA; and a high-level CEOs’ Panel discussion on strategic industry issues.
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AACO Resolution on Aviation and the Environment
The AGM adopted the AACO Resolution on Aviation and the Environment, reaffirming the collective commitment of Arab airlines to sustainable growth and global environmental goals.
The resolution emphasized that while aviation contributes around 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, it supports over 10% of global GDP and more than 10.6% of jobs worldwide through tourism, trade, and connectivity.
Key points from the resolution include:
• Reaffirmation of CORSIA as the sole global market-based measure for international aviation emissions, urging all governments to fully honor their ICAO commitments.
• The need to accelerate ICAO’s evaluation of sustainability certification for Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF), alongside SAF and other cleaner aviation energies, without excluding any pathway or technology.
• A call on Arab governments to ensure the availability of certified carbon credits under CORSIA and to prioritize regional production of LCAF, SAF, and eSAF as key to sustainable aviation growth.
• A reaffirmation that emissions reductions achieved through cleaner energies or offsets must be globally recognized to avoid duplication of obligations.
• A strong reminder that additional taxes and unilateral measures increase passenger costs, constrain growth, and do not deliver genuine environmental benefits.
Click here to view the full text of the AACO 58th AGM Resolution on Aviation and the Environment.
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State of the Industry Report
In his State of the Industry Report, AACO Secretary General Mr. Abdul Wahab Teffaha confirmed that the air transport industry has fully recovered from the pandemic, exceeding 2019 activity levels by 2024 and achieving record operational and financial results.
Global passenger traffic is expected to grow by 5.8% in 2025, with a load factor of 83.9%, while Arab airlines are forecast to achieve an operating margin of around 12%, among the highest globally.
However, Mr. Teffaha highlighted ongoing supply chain disruptions, including a backlog of over 17,000 aircraft orders worldwide, delayed deliveries, and a 46% rise in leasing costs, which have led to an aging global fleet and increased maintenance and fuel costs.
He also addressed the sustainability challenge, warning that the aviation industry faces significant hurdles in meeting CORSIA targets due to limited access to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and carbon credits. He called for greater global coordination to prevent a patchwork of regional measures that increase costs and complexity.
Despite these challenges, Mr. Teffaha reaffirmed Arab airlines’ strong commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, emphasizing collaboration with governments, manufacturers, and energy providers to create the right incentives and frameworks for sustainable aviation.
Click here for the full speech of AACO Secretary General.
To watch the Secretary General’s State of the Industry, click here.
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Election of AACO Executive Committee
During today’s closed session that gathers AACO member airlines only, the AGM elected the following members of the AACO Executive Committee for a term of 3 years as per AACO’s bylaws:
• Mr. Abdelhamid Addou – Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer, Royal Air Maroc (AT)
• Mr. Antonoaldo Neves – Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways (EY)
• Mr. Mohamad A. El-Hout – Chairman & Director General, Middle East Airlines (ME)
• Capt. Ahmed Adel – Chairman & CEO, EgyptAir Holding Company (MS)
• Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer – Group Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways (QR)
• Mr. Samih Ourabi – General Manager, Syrian Airlines (RB)
• H.E. Eng. Ibrahim A. Al-Omar – Director General, Saudia (SV)
• Mrs. Halima Khouaja – Director General, Tunisair (TU)
• Mr. Bander Almohanna – Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, flynas (XY)
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CEO’s Panel
The annual CEO’s Panel, moderated by Mr. Mark Pilling, Managing Director of AMP Mark Pilling, featured industry leaders:
1. Capt. Ahmed Adel / Chairman & CEO / EgyptAir Holding Company
2. Mr. Adel Abdulla Al Ali / Group CEO / Air Arabia
3. Mr. Ghaith Al Ghaith / CEO / flydubai
4. Mrs. Ourania Georgoutsakou / Managing Director / Airlines for Europe (A4E)
The discussion focused on the state of the industry, sustainability priorities, and collaborative strategies to ensure resilient growth.
Click here to watch the full panel discussion.
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AACO’s Annual Report and Air Transport Statistics
Data on industry performance was distributed to delegates through AACO’s Annual Report and the Annual Arab Air Transport Statistics Bulletin.
Highlights included:
• Total passenger traffic to/from and within the Arab world reached 372 million passengers in 2024, up 10.5% compared to 2023 and 10.8% compared to 2019.
• Passengers using Arab airports in 2024 reached 463.3 million, an increase of 11.4% and 17.7% compared to 2023 and 2019, respectively.
• Cargo handled at Arab airports grew by 13% in 2024 compared to 2023, and 1.5% compared to 2019, despite regional geopolitical tensions.
• By the end of 2024, AACO members’ passenger traffic (RPKs) and seat capacity (ASKs) grew by 10% and 8.7%, respectively.
• AACO members’ fleet totaled 1,665 aircraft, with 87% in service, and 50 new aircraft delivered in 2024 from a backlog of 1,460.
• AACO members achieved USD 9.8 billion in net profit, maintaining profitability for the third consecutive year, with total revenues of USD 91.6 billion and expenses of USD 81.8 billion.
To download the AACO Annual Report, click here.
To request the Annual Arab Air Transport Statistics Bulletin, please email [email protected].
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Closing and Next AGM
At the conclusion of the AGM, AACO members extended their gratitude to Mr. Abdelhamid Addou and Royal Air Maroc for their generous hospitality and leadership.
The forthcoming 59th AACO AGM will be held in Qatar in 2026, at the kind invitation of Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways who said “Qatar Airways is honored to host the next Annual General Meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organization in Doha, a hub of global connectivity and innovation. The AACO plays a vital role in strengthening collaboration among its member airlines. Qatar Airways is committed to bringing its global expertise to support the association in achieving its goals – not only within the region but also for the benefit of global aviation.”