Aviation leaders assemble in Doha for IATA’s Annual General Meeting

DOHA- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend its 70^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Doha, Qatar from 1-3 June 2014. Hosted by Qatar Airways, the event will take place under the patronage of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

“Doha will be the center of the air transport industry next week as its leaders discuss the most important commercial aviation-related issues of our times: safety, security, environment, distribution and financial sustainability among others,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

IATA is the global association of the world’s airlines. The IATA AGM draws together the CEOs and senior management of its 240 member airlines that carry 84% of global traffic. They will be joined by leaders from across the spectrum of industry stakeholders including governments, partners in the value chain and other international organizations.

“You will notice a very unique atmosphere at the AGM. IATA’s members come from all parts of the world and operate on a variety of business models. We have very large global network airlines. And we have much smaller regional airlines. They compete vigorously in what is a very tough business. But when they are at the AGM, they are focused on the industry and making the best decisions possible to secure its future success,” said Tyler.

This will be the fourth time that the AGM is hosted in the Middle East. Aviation in the region supports some 2 million jobs and $116 billion in economic activity. “The AGM will be a major event for aviation in the Middle East, and particularly for the airlines based in the Gulf region. These carriers, including Qatar Airways, have been at the core of a major shift in global aviation. In just over a decade, the share of global traffic accounted for by Middle East airlines increased from 4% to 9%. Much of this growth has been realized here in the Gulf,” said Tyler.

IATA’s 70^th AGM coincides with the global celebration of the first 100 years of scheduled commercial aviation. The commercial airline industry began with a flight across Tampa Bay, Florida on 1 January 1914.

“Qatar is an excellent venue for the AGM, at which we celebrate the first 100 years of scheduled commercial aviation. The country is using aviation-enabled connectivity as a cornerstone of its economic and social development,” said Tyler.

The high-profile agenda features two panel discussions on the first day:

The CEO forum will include:Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways,David Barger, Chief Executive Officer, JetBlue Airways,Ivan Chu, Chief Executive Officer, Cathay Pacific Airways,Andres Conesa Labastida, Chief Executive Officer, Aeromexico,Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, International Airlines Group and CNN International Business Correspondent, Richard Quest (moderator)

Economic Shocks will focus on potential economic speed bumps ahead and how they could affect the air transport industry, and will feature:Peter De Keyzer, Chief Economist, BNP Paribas Fortis,Gene Huang, Vice President, Chief Economist, Abbott,Marlos Maratheftis, Global Head of Macro Research, Standard Chartered Bank,Thomas Mayer, Senior Adviser, Deutsche Bank,Andrew Sentance, Senior Economic Adviser, PricewaterhouseCoopers and IATA Chief Economist Brian Pearce (moderator)

Sessions and briefings on Tuesday 3 June will focus on key industry issues and initiatives such as safety and aircraft tracking, reputation management, new distribution capability, government treatment of commercial aviation,among other important subjects.