The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and The Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen their cooperation to advance the safe, efficient and sustainable development of air transport in the Middle East North Africa region (MENA).
The MoU was signed in Rabat, Morocco by Albakri and Manar, during a meeting between the two organizations.
Under the terms of the MoU, IATA and ACAO will exchange information, expertise and capabilities, and work jointly to enhance six key areas of aviation in MENA including Safety and flight operations; Regulatory harmonization; Infrastructure, capacity building and training; Environment; Treaties and ICAO standards; and Value of aviation and future trends in air transport.
Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and Middle East, said: “Aviation and related-tourism already support some 2.4 million jobs and contribute $130 billion to the MENA region’s GDP. With passenger demand expected to double by 2037, these benefits could reach 4.3 million jobs and $345 billion, respectively. But aviation’s ability to deliver this growth is dependent on enhancing already high safety levels, achieving a harmonized regulatory environment and improvements to infrastructure and capacity-building. And we must accomplish this while ensuring environmental sustainability. Strong partnerships with governments will be key. This MoU will strengthen IATA’s historic and strategic relationship with ACAO.”
Abdennebi Manar, Director General of ACAO, said: “ACAO aims to strengthen cooperation and coordination among Arab countries in the field of civil aviation. The MoU with IATA will strengthen the cooperation between states and the aviation industry, a key partnership for the advancement of civil aviation and the promotion of universal standards. Twenty-one countries across the Arab world will benefit from this important step taken with IATA.”