AACO meeting gets underway in Algiers

The Arab Air Carriers Organization opens its 45th Annual General Meeting in Algeria today, under the patronage of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria,

Host and chairman of the AGM is Mohamed Salah Boultif, president and CEO of Air Algérie. More than 300 civil aviation leaders from the Arab world and worldwide will be attending

The AGM’s Opening Ceremony takes place tonight at “The Palace of Culture”, and the AGM Working Sessions will be held tomorrow at “El Mawakif Ballroom” at “El Aurassi Hotel”.

AACO Secretary General, Mr. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, will present his report on the state of the industry to the AGM and Mr. Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO of IATA, will present a keynote address to the AGM regarding industry issues.

The annual statistics will show that the Arab air transport market grew by 5.7% compared to 2010, reaching 133 million passengers and is expected to reach 140 million passengers in 2012. This growing sector contributes by not less than $100 billion to the GDP of the Arab world.

Also on Tuesday, AACO members will meet for a closed session to discuss and decide on internal and administrative issues related to AACO’s work and common strategic issues between members.

Alliances will be a key issue at the joint aviation forum which will include Qatar Airways chief, Akbar Al Baker; Emirates president Tim Clark; Dr Temel Kotil, the CEO and president of Turkish Airlines; consulatant John Byerly , the former deputy to America’s Secretaru pf State for Transportation; and Geoffrey Weston the head of group strategy for IAG.

PICTURED RIGHT: Abdul Wahab Taffaha, AACO's secretary general