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Snapshots from the opening ceremony of the two-day AGM of AACO in Doha Wednesday
HE Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Chairman of the 54th Annual General Meeting Akbar al-Baker opened the AGM.
The event is also attended by more than 200 senior aviation decision-makers, including CEOs of IATA member airlines, partner airliners, IATA partners in the aviation industry such as aircraft and engine manufacturers, global distribution system and IT organisations and several other companies concerned with Arab and universal aviation industry.
HE al-Sulaiti thanked the AACO for its efforts to enhance co-operation between airlines in Arab countries in the best interest of Arab air transport industry, and to increase its contribution to economic growth, saying: "This event comes in an exceptional timing through which we in Qatar have succeeded to maintain civil aviation operations via the national carrier Qatar Airways, in addition to maintaining business continuity at Hamad International Airport in spite of the repercussions of the pandemic, to actively reinforce the contribution to leading the recovery of Arab and world travel sector and ensure the stability of supply chains around the world."
He hoped success for the AGM with the necessary decisions to support the Arab air transportation industry under such extraordinary circumstances. HE al-Baker said: "The convening of the 54th AACO AGM embodies the intention of the aviation sector in our region to restore air connection and travel services back to normal and we are fully mindful of the important role upon us to revive and revitalise the aviation industry, given its impacts on communities."
He said the AGM Thursday will discuss a roadmap and key topics relating to air transport recovery and developing the aviation industry sustainably, particularly with relation to reducing carbon emissions. "Despite the challenges facing the aviation industry, we must continue our efforts firmly towards achieving lower carbon emissions, which is a shared responsibility upon the aviation industry," HE al-Baker noted.
AACO Secretary-General Abdul Wahab Teffaha thanked and appreciated HE al-Sulaiti for patronising the 54th AACO AGM, praising the pivotal global role that Qatar is playing worldwide, particularly in the Arab world.
Meeting up in Qatar for the third time at the level of AGM within 20 years demonstrates Qatar's position in the Arab aviation landscape, he added. The AGM will discuss several topics on aviation industry recovery from the current tough situation due to the global pandemic.
CNN's Richard Quest will moderate a panel discussion Thursday that features HE al-Baker, the Chairman and Director General of Royal Air Maroc, the Etihad Aviation Group CEO, Director General of Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, the ACAO Director General and IATA Secretary General.