DOHA, Qatar, 2013-08-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar, is hosting the 46th Annual General Meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) in the capital city of Doha.
The three-day event will take place between 5 and 7 November at the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel.
Established in 1965 by the Arab League of States and headquartered in Beirut, AACO is a non-profit organisation gathering 30 Arab member airlines and aims to promote cooperation, quality and safety standards among its carriers. AACO as well works on enhancing human resources working in air transport through various training courses provided by AACO’s regional training center based in Amman, with a branch in Cairo. In addition, AACO manages a number of joint projects gathering its member airlines.
The organisation continuously cooperates and communicates at various levels with global air transport associations such as IATA (International Air Transport Association) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation).
This is the second time that Qatar Airways hosts the annual general meeting of AACO. The first AGM was held in Doha in 2001.
As an active member of this regional organization, hosting the next AACO AGM is a part of Qatar Airways’ commitment to the advancement of the global aviation industry and the Arab aviation industry in particular.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, who will chair the proceedings of the 46th AACO AGM said: “We welcome leaders of the global and Arab civil aviation industry to the State of Qatar and are delighted that Qatar Airways is hosting the AACO AGM for the second time. This reflects the pivotal role of the State of Qatar in the global and regional aviation industry and also reinforces Qatar Airways’ commitment in developing and strengthening the Arab aviation sector.”
AACO Secretary General Abdul Wahab Teffaha added: “Qatar Airways is an important Arab organisation that has been able over the years to reinforce its presence on the global aviation map. Although launched in 1997, the airline has managed to significantly increase its growth globally and establish itself as a quality airline with its unique and innovative service offering enabling it to earn numerous awards based on passengers’ feedback. Twelve years ago, the AACO AGM was held here in Qatar, and this year we return again to this city that has become a hub for a global airline providing connections to more than 125 destinations worldwide.”
“I am confident that participants of this event will enjoy Qatar Airways’ renowned hospitality lead by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of AACO 46th AGM, Akbar Al Baker, and his team,” added Teffaha.
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 129 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.
The airline has so far launched seven destinations this year – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman), Basra (Iraq) and Sulaymaniyah (Iraq). Over the next few weeks and months, the network will grow further with Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 27) and Philadelphia, USA (2 April 2014).
For press release images & captions:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/sets/72157635217705453/
Notes to Editors:
Qatar Airways was presented with three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France in June. The airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. The airline has also been named Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport named Best Premium Service Airport for the third consecutive year in 2013. Qatar Airways has also twice been recipient of the prestigious Skytrax Airline of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012.
Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate benchmark for excellence in the airline industry.
Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 family of aircraft. Qatar Airways will become the first of the major Gulf carriers to join a global alliance having been invited into the oneworld group. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com
For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 44302072, Fax: +974 44302069
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Website: www.qatarairways.com
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Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker (left) with AACO Secretary General Abdul Wahab Teffaha