AACO - call for unified stance against governmental barriers

Etihad CEO James Hogan welcomed delegates to the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) 44th general meeting last night with a call to his regional competitors for a “unified stance” against those opposing the region's airline industry growth.

Speaking at an opening ceremony at Abu Dhabi’s flagship Emirates Palace Hotel, Hogan said, “When AACO last held its AGM in Abu Dhabi in 1983, there was no Etihad, No Emirates Airline and No Qatar Airways – and nobody in Europe, America or Canada lost any sleep over what the Gulf carriers were doing. They were free to roam the skies as they wished. That isn’t the case any more.”

Hogan said it wasn’t just the Gulf carriers big three airlines that are benefitting from the massive geographic advantage that the region has, and all of the Middle East carriers could develop. “This is the most exciting story in aviation and it is happening in this region,” he said.

“We must act as one body and take a unified stance against those who want the global aviation landscape looking exactly as it did two decades ago.”

He called for airlines to jointly oppose legislation, such as the European emissions trading scheme that was aimed as a revenue generator and not supporting innovation or progress in improving air travel for passengers and the environment.

“There is so much we can achieve, and now is the time to do it,” he said.

Abdul Wahab Taffaha, secretary general, AACO in his opening speech, said “Governments are targeting airlines for revenue. The ideal model is the one in the Arab world where aviation is seen as a positive contributor to economic growth. Here the are facilitators, not barriers.”