Ahmed Adel: We continue close cooperation with IATA to support aviation safety goals, digital transformation and the development of passenger services
Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of the Board of EgyptAir Holding Company, held a series of bilateral meetings with a number of heads of global airlines, service providers and engine manufacturers during his participation in the 81st Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), currently being held in New Delhi, to discuss areas of cooperation and strengthen strategic partnerships between EgyptAir and these major entities.
Captain Ahmed Adel met with Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, and the meeting discussed ways of future cooperation between EgyptAir and Riyadh Air in many fields.
Adel also met with Luís Rodrigues, CEO of TAP Air Portugal, particularly as the two airlines have a cooperation relationship in code sharing.
In a related context, Captain Ahmed Adel met with Firoz Tarapore, CEO of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, and the two sides reviewed opportunities for cooperation in aircraft financing and leasing in light of EgyptAir's plan to modernize its fleet. He also held a meeting with Jennifer Aument, CEO of the new passenger terminal at New York's airport, New Terminal One JFK, to discuss ways of cooperation between the two sides and the possibility of EgyptAir moving to the new terminal. The CEO of the new terminal presented the modern technological capabilities the airport offers in operations and passenger service.
Adel also met with Omar Ali Adib, Senior Vice President for the Middle East at Rolls-Royce, where the two sides discussed the latest developments in technical and technological cooperation between EgyptAir and Rolls-Royce, particularly regarding aircraft engine maintenance. They also touched on introducing new technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, in line with environmental sustainability goals.
Captain Ahmed Adel continued his meetings, meeting with Chris Raymond, CEO at Boeing, and Dan Abraham, Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing. The meeting discussed the delivery status of the 18 new Boeing B737-800 MAX aircraft starting at the beginning of next year, 2026, with EgyptAir scheduled to receive 8 aircraft from next January until the end of the year, and 10 aircraft during 2027.
At the conclusion of the bilateral meetings, Adel met with Gaël Méheust, CEO of CFM, and Stéphane Cuille, CEO at Safran, and their accompanying delegation. The two sides discussed ways of cooperation in the maintenance of aircraft components and engines, developing the capabilities of the maintenance workshops of EgyptAir Maintenance and Engineering, and support with spare parts and materials.
During the meetings, Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, stressed that EgyptAir is keen to strengthen and consolidate its partnerships with major global airlines, service providers and engine manufacturers in line with the company's fleet modernization plan and its adoption of the latest technologies, which enhances the company's ability to meet its customers' aspirations and keep pace with rapid developments in the air transport industry.
Separately, Captain Ahmed Adel took part in the meetings of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board, held on the sidelines of the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting with the participation of the CEOs of the alliance's member airlines. During the meeting, the status of developing the member airlines' joint projects on improving the customer travel experience and digital technology was approved, in addition to discussing the alliance's work plan for the next five years.
It is worth noting that Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, took part in the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Indian capital New Delhi from June 1 to 3, 2025, in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the participation of many heads of global airlines, government officials, decision-makers and aviation industry leaders from around the world.
The AGM focused on discussing challenges and opportunities in the global aviation industry, most notably the economic outlook for the air transport industry, renewable energy and the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, as well as the supply chain challenges facing the air transport industry.
Captain Ahmed Adel said EgyptAir's participation in the IATA Annual General Meeting is an opportunity to engage directly with the pivotal issues shaping the future of the global air transport industry, adding that EgyptAir is also keen to support the international initiatives adopted by IATA on the transition toward more sustainable aviation, and to achieve a balance between operational growth and environmental responsibility.
On the sidelines of the AGM, Captain Ahmed Adel held several bilateral meetings, including one with Kamil Alawadhi, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, which discussed the challenges facing airlines in the region and ways to enhance cooperation with IATA in safety, training and digital transformation, in addition to supporting EgyptAir's efforts within its plan to transition toward sustainable aviation.
He also met with Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance, where the two sides discussed mechanisms of joint cooperation in developing an integrated travel experience for passengers, achieving the concept of "seamless travel". The EgyptAir chairman praised the cooperation among the alliance's member airlines and their continuous exchange of expertise.
In the same context, he met with Bilal Ekşi, Chairman of the Board of Turkish Airlines, and the meeting addressed supporting frameworks of cooperation between the two sides, contributing to boosting travel between Egypt and Türkiye. Captain Ahmed Adel also held a meeting with Benjamin Smith, CEO of the Air France-KLM Group, where ways to enhance joint cooperation between the two sides were reviewed.
