KUWAIT CITY - During his speech to the General Assembly of the Arab Air Transport Association, held in Kuwait from 4 to 6 November, Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) Abdenbi Manar called for participation in the Arab-European Summit on Civil Aviation in Beirut, organized by ACAO in cooperation with the European Commission and supported by the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) and generously hosted by Middle East Airlines (MEA), on 23-24 March 2020.

Eng. Abdenbi Manar said that the summit would focus on the existing relations between the two regions to identify areas for further cooperation and the best means to work towards an effective partnership between the European Union and the Arab world. A joint statement including details on the summit was published.

He added that the summit will be attended by representatives of Arab and European civil aviation authorities, the League of Arab States, executive heads of Arab and European airlines, executive directors of airport operators, the aeronautical industry and other aviation industries, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as well as Eurocontrol and international organizations and unions including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Civil Air Navigation Organization (CANSO), International Air Transport Association (IATA), Council of International Airports -Europe-, European Airlines Organizations and Unions and others.

Eng. Abdenbi Manar, Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, commended the efforts exerted by the authorities of the State of Kuwait and the General Secretariat of the Arab Air Carriers Organization for the good organization of the General Assembly of the Arab Air Carriers Organization organized under the high patronage of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah

Manar stressed that during the past year and the current year, the pace of global air transport indicators continued to rise compared to the figures achieved in 2017, where the number of passengers in 2018 reached 4.3 billion (a growth rate of 6.1%) with a factor of 81.9%, and the number of passengers per kilometer 8.2 trillion). As for Air cargo, the activity increased by 4.53% with a factor of 50%. The share of low-cost carriers was 31% (36% in Europe, 35% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 30% in North America and 29% in Asia and the Pacific).

As far as air transport activity in the Arab countries is concerned, the Director General said that its importance lies in its contribution to the economies of our countries by about 7.8% to the GDP, which represents about 160 billion dollars, i.e. more than double the global average (3.6%), and provides about 6 million job opportunities. Other indicators show that this activity reached 310 million passengers (a growth rate of 6.4%), and an increase in passenger traffic between the Arab world and the rest of the world except for inter-traffic which decreased by 3% due to economic and political factors.

The Director General reviewed the expectations for this year and the coming years, which confirm the steady growth of the air transport industry in the Arab world, especially as there are many eligibility criteria for a promising industry such as:

1. Proximity to the excursion markets in Northwest Europe (the main generator of tourists), where the number of tourists is expected to increase by 4% during the current year and between 4 and 6% in the next decade;

2. The geographical location between Europe, Africa and Asia, which is a good starting point for companies on the long routes between Western Europe and the East Asia and Pacific region;

3. Expanding the quality of tourism infrastructure by substantially developing hotels in major cities and coastal resorts;

4. Providing infrastructure of high quality roads and airports in accordance with international standards;

5. Richness in cultural monuments (archaeological, historical and religious sites);

6. A favorable climate for beach tourism and an increase in terms of resorts;

7. Close similarities in common customs, traditions and language;

8. Family ties between citizens of different Arab countries that create extended families within the region;

9. The growth of new tourism trends such as "medical tourism" among Arab countries.

The Director General referred to the meeting held by the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and the Arab Air Carriers Association in Rabat on 17/7/2018 to discuss the current issues of common interest. Discussions during this meeting reached agreement on coordination on the following points:

1. Proposal of the European Commission to amend Law No. 868/2004 on competition in air transport.

2. The item related to travelers´ rights.

3. Environment and Aviation.

4. Air traffic management and capacity in the Arab world, in particular the transfer of the European experience with regard to "Eurocontrol" to the Arab world in coordination with the Directorate General of Transport and Mobility of the European Commission.

5. Aviation safety and security.

6. Coordination on fair competition in the Arab world.

7. Discuss ways of developing air transport activity among Arab countries and organize an Arab conference on tourism and air transport.

In this context, Eng. Manar added that two meetings were held with the Director General of Transport and Mobility at the European Commission, in the latter´s headquarters in the Belgian capital, Brussels, in presence of Mr. Abdelwahab Tuffaha, Secretary General of the Arab Air Carriers Association, where they signed on the one hand an agreement to enhance dialogue and cooperation with aviation authorities and developped a framework for bilateral cooperation on the other hand, in terms of exchange of information and experience, as well as the exchange of legal and legislative experiences to develop integrated regional markets for air transport, and the organization of joint meetings and seminars of interest in all technical areas (security, safety, air navigation and environment protection), economic, legal, and undertaking joint projects, including capacity-building.

As for the development of air transport activity among Arab countries and due to its link with tourism, Manar said that it has been agreed to organize a conference on tourism in the Arab World jointly with the Arab Tourism. The scope of the conference and the necessary requirements to organize it will be determined later. On the sidelines, ACAO has developed a model regulation reference document for civil aviation authorities of Member States on the subject of passenger rights.

In conclusion, the Director General commended the coordination achieved between the Arab Air Carriers Organization and the Arab Civil Aviation Organization in terms of common positions in the areas of environmental protection and fair competition. He stressed that the organization is looking forward for further cooperation with the Arab Air Carriers Organization and all organizations working in the field of air transport within the context of achieving the goals," We intend to do our utmost to serve the civil aviation sector and use all our capabilities to allow air transport to play its full part and achieve sustainable development for present and future generations. Wishing you success in the works of this Assembly. "