Doha, 20 June 2022

78th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of International Air Transport Association (IATA) and World Air Transport Summit took off Monday morning at the Hotel Sheraton Grand, Doha, Qatar.

Present on the occasion were Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, State of Qatar;  Jassim bin Saif Ahmed al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport; Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive, Dr. Hanan Mohamed AlKuwari, Minister of Public Health; Willie Walsh, President IATA; Mehmet Tevfik Nane, CEO, Pegasus Airlines (Turkya);

, delivered a speech to delegates where he described the aviation industry as one that “unites the whole world by providing safe, secure, efficient, sustainable and accessible transportation.” He continued to say: “this meeting is an exceptional opportunity to discuss the current situation and future challenges, particularly the focus on the sustainability agenda and how aviation moves forward with its commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Thanking His Highness for extending his support of patronage,  His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said; “It is an absolute privilege to be hosting our industry partners in Qatar Airways’ home city, particularly during our milestone 25^th year of operations. It is a particular honour to receive His Highness’s patronage, which shows just how proud the State of Qatar is to hold this event. Coming together face-to-face with our aviation colleagues from across the world, provides us with the opportunity to discuss global issues affecting us all today, and to plan the best way forward for the industry.”

Qatar Airways is hosting more than a thousand delegates and dignitaries, as well as figures from the international sports and entertainment worlds during the event, which has received a record number of registrations. The AGM is an opportunity for key players within IATA’s 290 member-airlines to meet face-to-face and discuss topics affecting global carriers and future industry plans.

The event is being hosted by Qatar Airways for only the second time; it last came to Doha in 2014. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker is a member of the IATA Board of Governors, as well as Chairman of the oneworld alliance, which is also meeting in the city.

Topics to be discussed during will include lessons learnt from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the industry’s pathway towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050; touching on environmental and sustainability challenges such as carbon offset programmes, reduction of single use plastics across the industry and the future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).