Qatar Airways is proud to host the 70th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit. The event will be held in Doha from 1 to 3 June 2014. This year’s event will be particularly signficiant as the aviation industry is celebrating 100 years since the first scheduled commercial flight. Some 240 airlines around the world are members of IATA and the forthcoming AGM is expected to attract more than 1,000 senior aviation industry delegates, including a contingent of more than 200 international media.
Key themes of airline industry reputation, the global aviation skills supply and aircraft noise developments are expected to be discussed during the three-day conference. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways said, “Qatar Airways is a strong supporter of IATA, and as such is looking in keen anticipation to hosting this event. This year’s AGM is the first to take place in the Middle East since Amman, Jordan, in 1997, and this is only the fourth time that the AGM has been held in the region. As guests and aviation leaders descend on Doha this June, we look forward to them witnessing the new infrastructural developments in our country, especially the new Hamad International Airport, the world’s newest airport gateway.”
Qatar’s national airline has an impressive presence at ATM with a state-of-the-art stand, where visitors can catch a glimpse of the customised interiors of its A380-800 via a display of the new luxury First Class seats that will form part of the aircraft’s tri-class configuration. Heading the official delegation from the airline’s headquarters in Doha, Baker said, “On behalf of Qatar Airways, I am pleased to participate in this year’s ATM, which, over the years has proved to be an important platform across the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries.”
On the opening day of the four-day exhibition, Al Baker hosted a press conference highlighting the airline’s expansion plans and announcing forthcoming developments. “Since our last participation at ATM, Qatar Airways has achieved a number of key milestones and has been recognised with a series of awards which testify to our ongoing expansion strategy as one of world’s fastest growing airlines. The exhibition will enable our visitors to enjoy a preview of the developments at Qatar Airways and also experience the five-star luxury service onboard our planes for which we are renowned for,” he stated.
