Egypt will host the IATA AGM in 2011 for the second time in the association's history. Hussein Massoud, chairman of the hosting carrier, explains how the event would benefit both tourism and air transport in Egypt
In 1949, Egypt hosted the fifth annual general meeting of the IATA, with the national carrier EgyptAir, the first Arab airline to join IATA and the seventh all over the world, hosting the event. However, the meeting never returned to Egypt over the next six decades. This year in Berlin, IATA member airlines approved a request by EgyptAir to host next year's AGM.
"We are going to Egypt not only because it is such a unique and wonderful country. We consider the fact that EgyptAir has achieved a remarkable growth rate which encouraged our board to take the request seriously," commented IATA's boss Giovanni Bisignani. "But let me add that we are taking our next AGM to Egypt because also there is a minister of aviation, Ahmed Shafiq with such a great and cooperative personality. You wish there were many like him serving air transport in other regions of the world," he added.
For three minutes, the main conference hall held its breath as the attendees watched a film highlighting Egypt's main tourist sites and EgyptAir services. "The approval means that the CEOs of more than 230 airlines, top aviation officials, industry partners, manufacturers and providers of services will gather all at one time in Egypt," explained Hussein Masssoud, EgyptAir Chairman. "We can imagine the extensive media coverage due to accompany those participants. It will be such an amazing global air travel market taking place in Egypt," Massoud added.
IATA's annual meetings are totally financed by the organisation in cooperation with sponsors who handle the event. Airbus, Boeing and services providers are the main sponsors. "We have planned to invite travel agents and tour operators to sponsor short trips to Egypt's most beautiful and charming sites where airline CEOs and their spouses as well as accompanying delegates would get golden opportunities to learn about the real Egypt.
The event also provides a valuable chance for air transport partners to meet with Egyptian investors as well as decision makers to examine and activate effective protocols to enhance cooperation," Massoud added.
IATA Director Giovanni Bisignani revealed that Egypt's AGM would be his last to attend as director general, revealing plans to step down and retire after nine years of hard but successful job with airlines. A new director general will be elected in Egypt.
During the meetings in Berlin, Massoud was elected a member of the Board of Governors which consists of 30 members. With a three-year member duration, Massoud is one of three Arab CEOs elected in the board. Thanks to the great support and lobbying provided by the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) and the African Airlines Association Afra.
"We have been coordinating with Arab and African member airlines in IATA to expand our quota on the board of governors. At present, we have five seats, two are occupied by African airlines and three are occupied by Arab airlines," explained Massoud, who is also AACO chairman. "As the number of Arab and African member airlines in IATA grows, carriers of both regions seek to capture at least two more seats on the board," added Massoud.
The board of governors includes three committees; a chair committee, audit committee and strategy and policy committee. Throughout these committees, the board illustrates the policies that control the business among its member airlines and monitor changes within the industry in cooperation with governmental bodies.
"It has proved to be clear that IATA needs to strengthen its relationship with governmental bodies, at local and international levels. The attendance of the International Civil Aviation Organisation chairman at our meeting reflects IATA's trend to bring official recognition by the international community to pave the way to put IATA recommendations into effect and reduce government resistance," Massoud explained.
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