Qatar Airways has announced the patronage of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, at this year’s 70th International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit.

The events will take place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha on June 1st-3rd.

Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are honoured by the patronage of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which in itself highlights the significance of hosting such an important event.

“We await with great anticipation the opportunity to host such an important global aviation event in our home country, the State of Qatar.

“The coming months represent a period of significant progression for Qatar Airways, with our move to Hamad International Airport and the continued expansion of our young and growing fleet of aircraft.

“As such, this IATA AGM represents the perfect opportunity for us to showcase the State of Qatar and its importance as a global aviation hub.”

The AGM, a critical aviation annual event, which is being held in Doha is being hosted by Qatar Airways and represents just the fourth time the AGM has taken place in the Middle East in IATA’s history, with the event last hosted by Jordan in 1997.

More than 230 airlines around the world are members of IATA and the forthcoming AGM is expected to receive more than 1,000 senior aviation industry delegates, as well as 200 international media in Doha in attendance.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of 134 aircraft to 138 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.