The Arab Air Carriers Organisation’s (AACO) 47th annual meeting held in Dubai recently called for innovative methods that will ease the surging congestion of air space in the region.

AACO executive committee chairman, Akbar al-Baker, also Qatar Airways Group chief executive presented several key findings pertaining to air traffic management and congestion in the air space of the Arab world; safety and security topics; as well as regulatory matters.

Elected to the Executive Committee in 2011, al-Baker played a pivotal role in broadening awareness on pertinent issues impacting the aviation industry as it specifically relates to the Arab region.

The need for co-ordination at national levels with military authorities for flexible use of air space by civil aviation when not required for military use, was recommended as a prudent approach to opening up air corridors and enabling greater traffic flow as a unified Arab sky.

AACO secretary general Abdul Wahab Teffaha, delivered the opening speech of the meeting, and several working sessions took place thereafter. The working sessions of the AGM featured the AACO secretary general’s report on the ‘state of the industry’, as well as several other speeches advising and updating delegates on the industry related to AACO’s work and common strategic issues between members.

Held in Dubai under the Patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, president, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman & chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group, and chairman Dubai Airports, this year’s AACO AGM drew participation from more than 300 Arab and global aviation industry experts.

Overall, increased co-ordination and renovation of air traffic systems and equipment was agreed as the way forward to navigate through the complex issue of heightened aerospace activity in the region.Furthermore, a topic dutifully discussed was safety and security – particularly the subject of the unfortunate tragedies that affected the entire industry; that of Malaysian Airlines flights 370 and MH17.

Al-Baker advocated the relentless pursuit, which collectively the industry must be committed to, in identifying the essential facts of the cases and presenting them formally and publicly.

“The industry has been stunned by the aftermath of how the investigations of MH370 unfolded, and for the sake of the future of the industry’s legacy and integrity, the full case must come to fruition and exact learnings uncovered.

In his closing address, al-Baker noted the contributions made by all members of AACO, particularly the roles of the Secretariat and the Secretary General.

He said, “I would like to thank you for your support and cooperation. I would also like to thank my colleagues, members of the Executive Committee, for their hard work and diligence in supporting our collaborative efforts. I also wish to acknowledge with appreciation the work of the Secretariat led by the Secretary General.”

The Arab Air Carriers Organisation celebrates its golden jubilee next year.

AACO is considered to be one the oldest air transport organisations and one of the foremost active organisations in the Middle East and North Africa.Established in 1965 by the Arab League of States and headquartered in Beirut, AACO gathers Arab member airlines and aims to promote cooperation, quality and safety standards among its carriers.

In addition, AACO coordinates extensively with regional and international organisations such as ICAO and IATA.

 

 

 

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