A liberalised aviation sector can be a “great catalyst” for global economic and human development, said Qatar Airways group chief executive HE Akbar al-Baker.

“At Qatar Airways, we believe in connecting people with no borders, only horizons,” he said in remarks at the CAPA Qatar Aviation, Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit at the Sheraton Grand Doha on Wednesday.

He said, “The timing of this years’ summit is perfect to engage in fruitful discussions and constructive debate. More than ever, our industry continues to show great levels of resilience in the face of adversity and disruption.

“At the same time, we remain a positive and constructive voice in improving regulatory frameworks across regions, especially in the areas of sustainability and air liberalisation. One of my core beliefs is that a liberalised aviation sector can be a great catalyst for global economic and human development. ”

The two-day summit is being held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif al-Sulaiti.

The aviation summit features more than 40 expert speakers from across the airline, legal and government sectors, discussing the latest developments in international aviation regulation, both within the Gulf and globally.

Key international industry speakers at the event besides al-Baker include IAG CEO, Willie Walsh; coordinator for transport and tourism in European Parliament, Jose Ramon Bauza Diaz; European Commission director general (Mobility and Transport) Henrik Hololei; IATA CEO and director general, Alexandre de Juniac; Oman Aviation Group CEO, Mustafa al-Hinai; RwandAir CEO, Yvonne Manzi Makolo; US Department of Transportation director, international Office of Aviation, Brian Hedberg; Malaysian Aviation Commission director of Aviation Development, Germal Singh Khera; African Airlines Association secretary general, Abderahmane Berthe; and AACO secretary general, Abdul Wahab Teffaha.

The first day of the summit held in the presence of the president of Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority, Abdulla bin Nasser Turki al-Subaey, was attended by ambassadors, officials and senior executives from the aviation industry.