Oman Air has lately participated in The Arab Air Carriers Organization “AACO” 40th AGM held between 23 – 25 October 2007 in the Capital city of Syria, Damascus. The meetings brought together AACO members, heads of regional and international associations, and leading figures from the Air Transport industry, in addition to representatives from 45 Industry partner companies and institutions. This took place under the Patronage of H.E. Dr. Mohammed Naji El-Otari, the Prime Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic and by kind invitation of Eng. Nachaat Numir, AACO President, and Chairman/Managing Director of Syrian Arab Airlines.
The AACO AGM elected a new Executive Committee, which in turn elected Eng. Atef Abdelhamid, Chairman Egypt Air Holding Company as its chairman for a period of 3 years. Ziad Bin Karim Al Haremi Chief Executive Officer of Oman Aviation Services (Oman Air) whom headed Oman Air’s delegation to AACO’s 40th AGM, was elected as a member of the Executive Committee. He said, “I am delighted and honored by this election and appreciate the confidence that my colleagues have shown in me. I see this as one more opportunity for the national carrier of Oman to take a leadership role. Serving on this important committee, which is considered the heart of AACO, will surly; afford me the opportunity to gain further insight into the industries’ issues and concerns.
Concerning the meetings, Al Haremi stated that the conference over three days discussed a number of issues and topics related to the development of air transport in Arab countries, and the challenges facing it in addition to examine ways to overcome the obstacles within air transport sector in light of the strong competition from the global aviation companies, and the optimal use of information technology for the development of the work of Arab airlines. He said AACO Secretary General presented AACO’s annual report to the General Assembly, covering the developments and challenges facing the Arab Air Transport industry. The Assembly also received a speech by Mr. Mohammad Al Alg, Director General of ACAC, another by Mr. Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of IATA, who presented the keynote address.
Al Haremi added that AACO member airlines decide on several strategic and administrative issues related to the joint work amongst AACO member airlines and the regulatory environment affecting the airlines' operations, in addition to AACO Secretariat General’s work. He further pointed out that AACO’s AGM had welcomed industry experts to share their views and expertise at AACO's Joint Aviation Forum. The speakers he said, tackled topics about the low cost business model, cooperation under a liberalized environment, privatization of Arab airlines from the investors stand point and the environmental challenges facing the Industry, with this year’s theme being: "Adapting to a dynamic industry: Challenges facing the Arab Airlines".
Corporate Communication and Media Department in Oman Air notified that the Arab Air Carriers Organization “AACO” was established in 1965 within the framework of the Arab League of States, is the Regional Association of the Arab Airlines, who have their home base in countries members of the Arab League. The AGM, consisting of the CEOs of the member airlines sets, on yearly basis, the strategies, and work plans for AACO. The execution and the follow up of AACO’s work are done by the Secretariat General, which comprises around 27 full time staff headed by the Secretary General of AACO. AACO is located in Beirut - Lebanon, while Amman- Jordan is the base of AACO Regional Training Center. AACO’s objectives consist of promoting the highest safety standards, provide a framework for a better economic environment for airline operations, promote high standards of consumer driven services, and to provide high quality and cost effective framework for human resources development, also to invest in the synergy of interaction between members through establishment of joint projects. They concluded saying that at the end of the AGM, AACO AGM elected Mr. Nabil Chettaoui, Chairman and President of Tunis Air, as AACO’s President for the year 2008, noting that AACO 41st AGM will be held in Tunis.
