Doha: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced this week that it will gather airline executives in Miami in 2015 for its next annual meet.
The announcement came by Qatar Airways’ chief executive Akbar Al Baker at the end of this year’s event on Tuesday that was hosted in Doha by Qatar Airways.
The 2014 annual general meeting attracted chairmen and chief executives from 190 airlines, 1,000 industry delegates, and around 200 international journalists, Al Baker said on Tuesday.
It was just the third time the event was hosted in the Middle East and the first time the event had been hosted in the Gulf.
Closing the 2014 annual meet, Al Baker said the Qatar Airways had shown even though Qatar is a small country it is “a very relevant country” in the Middle East.
The 2014 IATA meet was hosted just days after Qatar fully opened its new multi-billion hub airport, Hamad International.
Al Baker, a staunch industry advocate, attacked the European Commission this week for what he said its double standards on state aid policies. He also urged reforms at Sita.
He was named IATA President this week and will hold position until next year’s AGM in Miami to be held from June 7–9.
