The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that leaders of the global aviation industry are gathering in Doha this week, 19 to 21 June, for the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the World Air Transport Summit (WATS). Both events are hosted by Qatar Airways.

The event attracts the industry’s most senior leaders from among IATA’s 290 member airlines, as well as leading government officials, strategic partners, equipment suppliers, and media.

According to IATA Director General Willie Walsh, this year’s AGM is another momentous occasion – airlines are simultaneously recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, setting the path to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, working to improve gender diversity, and adapting to a geopolitical environment that is undergoing its greatest shock in over three decades.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar Al Baker said it is an absolute privilege to host their industry partners in Doha, particularly during their milestone 25th year of operations.

Coming together face-to-face provides us with the opportunity to discuss lessons learnt from our recent years during the pandemic, global issues affecting us all in the here and now, and to plan the best way forward for the industry.

World Air Transport Summit

WATS is opening immediately following the AGM. A highlight will be the third edition of the Diversity and Inclusion Awards sponsored by Qatar Airways. These awards recognise organisations and individuals who are making a difference in helping drive the industry’s 25by2025 initiative to make the aviation industry more gender balanced.

The WATS will also feature the popular CEO Insights Panel moderated by Richard Quest of CNN, featuring Avianca CEO Adrian Neuhauser, KLM CEO Pieter Elbers, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, and Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.

In addition to the updated industry economic outlook, key topics to be addressed include:

  • The war in Ukraine and its implications to the globalised world;
  • Challenges to achieving sustainability, including net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reducing the use of single use plastics;
  • Allocating scarce airport capacity; and
  • Ensuring safe carriage of lithium batteries.

A new  CFO Insights Panel will also be introduced this year. You can check out the AGM programme here.

AGM in the Middle East

This will be the fourth time that the AGM is hosted in the Middle East. In normal times, aviation in the region supports some 3.4 million jobs and US$213 billion in economic activity. Walsh said that since they were last in Doha, the region has only increased its importance to global connectivity.

According to the most recent figures, the region’s airlines account for 6.5% of global international passenger traffic and 13.4% of freight movements. Much of this growth has occurred in the Gulf region, as is typified by our host airline.

Please note that attendance to the AGM is by invitation only. Accredited media are invited to attend but must be pre-registered.


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