The 55th Arab Air Carriers’ Organization AGM underway

October 25, 2022

The 55th annual general meeting of the Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO) is continuing at the Conrad Etihad Towers today and tomorrow, under the Patronage of HE Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, chairman of Etihad Aviation Group and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and by kind invitation of Etihad Aviation Group. With the participation of more than 300 Arab and global aviation experts gathering CEOs of AACO member airlines, partner airlines and industry partners from aircraft and engine manufacturers, global distribution systems, information technology partners and others the event is being staged. The director general for mobility and transport/European Commission, the director general of EUROCONTROL and the deputy director general of IATA are also attending the AGM.

The AGM’s opening ceremony took place last night at Louvre Abu Dhabi. The patron of the AGM will be addressing the delegates tonight, followed by an address by AACO Secretary General, Abdul Wahab Teffaha.

The AGM working sessions being held today at Conrad Etihad Towers at level P4 – Ballroom. The sessions feature AACO secretary general’s report on the “State of the Industry.

The report will be followed by two discussion panels gathering CEOs and directors general. The first panel about digital transformation will be moderated by Mr. Muhammad Albakri, IATA SVP – DG-Strategic Leadership Team. The panelists will be:

Irra Ariella Khi – CEO of Zamna.
Juan Pablo Lafosse – CEO at Travelx.

The second panel about strategic issues in the aviation industry will be moderated by Eamonn Brennan, director general of Eurocontrol. The panelists will be:

Henrik Hololei, director-general for mobility and transport in the European Commission
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai
Maen Razouqi, CEO, Kuwait Airways
Güliz Öztürk, CEO, Pegasus Airlines

After the discussion panels, 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 today with a press conference to be held at “level P4 – Meeting Rooms 1&2 at Conrad Etihad Towers at 17:00.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.