African airlines general assembly set for Addis Ababa

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) 2010 Annual General Assembly (AGA) will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from November 21 to 23.

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) 2010 Annual General Assembly (AGA) will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from November 21 to 23.

Under the theme, “Adapting to Survive and Prosper,” the 42nd General Assembly and African Air Transport Summit will be hosted by Ethiopian Airlines at the UNECA Conference Centre, Addis Ababa. More than 300 delegates are expected.

The AFRAA Annual General Assembly is by far one the biggest and most prestigious aviation events in Africa, bringing together chairmen and CEOs of all the major African airlines, civil aviation authorities, airport companies, media, and other stakeholders in the aviation industry from within and outside the continent.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has agreed to a discounted offer of 10 percent for Cloud Nine and 20 percent for economy class seats for passengers traveling to participate in the four day fair. “The tickets are valid on ET only and tickets must be issued at ET offices,” AFRAA secretary general, Mr. Tewodros Tamrat, said.

The conference attracts top government and industry policy makers and representatives of international and regional aviation organizations such as the African Union and the Arab Air Carriers Organisation and the International Air Transport Association. This year’s event is expected to assemble over 300 top decision makers in the industry to deliberate on recent trends and developments in the industry and strategise on repositioning African airlines for growth and success.

“The AGAs are marked by discussions and analysis of the global and in particular the African airline industry challenges, achievements, opportunities, and the way forward. The discussions are led by eminent industry practitioners, renowned speakers and panelist,” AFRAA said in a statement.

AFRAA AGAs facilitate business cooperation among the member airlines and provide networking opportunities for the carriers and major aviation aircraft and engine manufacturers, IT, and other airline solution providers, as well as leasing, financing, and aviation training organizations attending the conference.

Previous AFRAA annual conferences attracted large numbers of top airline and aviation executives, aircraft and equipment manufacturers, IT solution providers, consultants, and academics.

AFRAA is a trade association of African airlines. Founded in Accra, Ghana, in April, 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the primary purposes of AFRAA are to foster commercial and technical cooperation among African airlines and to represent their common interests.

Its membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators. The association members represent 83 percent of total international traffic carried by African airlines.

Mr. Tamrat said the meeting is being held a time when airline industry globally is going through rapid and sometimes unpredictable change, often with adverse impact on operators’ performance and growth.

“Besides these changes – largely driven by dynamics in the global economy, technological innovations, and changing consumer needs, African airlines need to be alert and quick at adapting to aeropolitical developments, industry realignments, consumer demands, as well as embrace the highest levels of safety and security,” he added.

Ethiopian Airlines has planned two exciting pre-AGA events for Sunday, November 21, 2010.

• A full-day tour of some of the most spectacular and exotic tourist sites in and around Addis Ababa. Details of the tour are available on the AGA official website http://aga42.afraa.net .

• Participation in the historic “Great Ethiopian Run” – an internationally-renowned annual sporting event, which this year coincides with the AGA, will take place on Sunday, 2ovember 21, 2010, in Addis Ababa.

The two events will take place simultaneously, and delegates are requested to indicate which one they would like to participate in during the online registration for the AGA. Participation is free.

Visa and Immigration
To ensure hassle-free immigration clearance in Addis Ababa, all participants are encouraged to obtain visas from the Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate in their respective countries of residence prior to arriving in Addis Ababa. In case there is no Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence, arrangements have been made to issue you a visa on arrival. Please see visa requirements at the AGA website: http://aga42.afraa.net . The visa fee is US$20.00 per person.

Registration
The program of the assembly, hotel and flights reservation, as well as general information about the AGA are available on the AGA website: http://aga42.afraa.net .

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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