Under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the 59^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO) officially opened yesterday at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. 

Hosted by Qatar Airways from 2-4 November 2026, the event opened with addresses from Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer and AGM Chairman, Hamad Al-Khater, and AACO Secretary General, Abdul Wahab Teffaha, setting the stage for the discussions on the industry’s evolving landscape and strategic priorities. 

The annual gathering brings together over 200 senior aviation executives and stakeholders, including chief executive officers of AACO member airlines, partner carriers, and representatives of leading organisations in the aviation industry.  

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer and AGM Chairman, Hamad Al-Khater, said: “This AACO gathering brings together the airlines of the Arab world, which collectively play a vital role in connecting people, businesses and economies across six continents. As our industry faces a very difficult period, with geopolitical developments continuing to disrupt global connectivity, regional cooperation has become our greatest strength. 

“Our priority, together with our fellow AACO members, is to build on the partnerships this year has deepened, strengthening the resilience of our region and advancing a shared vision for the future of Arab aviation. Qatar Airways is honoured to welcome this Assembly to Doha and to play its full part in that work.” 

AACO Secretary General, Abdul Wahab Teffaha, said: “We are pleased to gather in Doha for AACO’s 59th Annual General Meeting, and we extend our sincere appreciation to the State of Qatar for its patronage and to Qatar Airways for its generous hospitality. The aviation industry continues to face complex challenges, from geopolitical uncertainties and operational pressures to the growing need for environmental sustainability. Yet, Arab airlines have consistently demonstrated their ability to adapt, innovate, and maintain their vital role in global air connectivity 

“This Annual General Meeting provides an important platform to exchange views, strengthen cooperation, and identify practical solutions to our shared challenges. By working together, we can reinforce the competitiveness and resilience of Arab aviation and ensure its continued contribution to economic development and global connectivity.” 

The AGM’s working sessions, scheduled for Tuesday, 3 November 2026, will open with AACO Secretary General’s ‘State of the Industry’ report, offering an overview of the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities across the aviation sector. This will be followed by a speech by the Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), Khalid Cherkaoui, and a presentation by Bloomberg examining the global economic outlook and its implications for aviation. 

The programme will also feature the Arab Aviation Summit, including a high-level panel discussion bringing together airline chief executives and aviation leaders to examine the industry’s most pressing issues.  

The summit will be followed by a closed-door session for AACO members to discuss internal and administrative matters, and address key strategic challenges affecting member airlines. 

As the host of the 59^th AACO AGM, Qatar Airways continues to support industry collaboration and the exchange of expertise across the aviation sector in the region. The airline’s extensive global network, connecting Doha to more than 170 global destinations through its award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport, reflects the importance of international connectivity to regional economic growth and global trade. 

The Coffee Lab, an Emirati owned homegrown cafe is celebrating three years at its Aljada branch on 9 November, marking the occasion with a special anniversary celebration dedicated to the customers and team who have been part of its journey.

To thank customers for their continued support, The Coffee Lab will be handing out complimentary cupcakes featuring the brand’s iconic X design. Each cupcake will come with a voucher for one free coffee, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy their complimentary drink during the celebration or return at a later date to redeem it. The vouchers will be valid for 30 days from the anniversary date, offering customers another reason to revisit their favourite coffee destination.

At the heart of the celebrations will be a specially designed anniversary cake, created to resemble The Coffee Lab’s signature branded takeaway cup. Alongside the individual cupcakes, the oversized cake will serve as a centrepiece for the occasion, bringing a playful touch to the milestone and reflecting the brand’s distinctive identity.

The branch will also be decorated with white and dark blue balloons, while branded anniversary foam boards featuring celebratory messages will provide a dedicated photo opportunity for customers and visitors to capture the occasion.

More than simply marking another year in business, the celebration reflects The Coffee Lab’s appreciation for the community that has supported the Aljada branch since it opened. Through complimentary treats, coffee vouchers and moments shared with customers and employees, the brand aims to make the anniversary a meaningful occasion for everyone involved.

As The Coffee Lab looks ahead to another year at Aljada, the celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the relationships built along the way and thank the people who continue to make the branch part of their everyday coffee rituals.

Anniversary Celebration Details

• Date: 9 November 2026 | Location: The Coffee Lab, Aljada, Sharjah | Customer treats: Complimentary branded X cupcakes, each accompanied by a voucher for one free coffee. | Voucher validity: 30 days from 9 November 2026. | Special features: Branded anniversary cake, festive decorations and photo opportunities. 

by Shalin Balasuriya, Co-Founder of Spa Ceylon

I believe there are three key factors driving the growing interest in sound healing and immersive sensory wellness experiences. The first is our increasing need to disconnect and reconnect. We live in a world of constant digital stimulation, information overload and increasingly demanding lifestyles. As a result, people are seeking opportunities to slow down, reconnect with themselves and feel more grounded, both within themselves and in the natural world. Experiences such as sound healing, guided meditation and sensory rituals offer moments of stillness, mindfulness and relaxation in an otherwise highly stimulated environment.

The second is greater awareness of holistic wellbeing. Knowledge of traditional wellness practices and the interconnectedness of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing has become far more accessible. Through social media, digital platforms and shared personal experiences, consumers are discovering practices that may previously have been unfamiliar to them. This growing awareness has encouraged people to explore wellbeing beyond conventional treatments and physical fitness, embracing a more holistic approach to how they feel and live.

The third is accessibility. Experiences that were once largely associated with specialist retreats or dedicated wellness destinations are now increasingly available within urban environments. From sound baths and guided meditation to aromatherapy and immersive spa experiences, people have more opportunities to incorporate these practices into their regular lives rather than treating them as occasional luxuries.

What’s particularly interesting is that many of these principles are not new. Ayurveda, which translates to the ‘Science of Life’, has emphasised for thousands of years that wellbeing is not simply the absence of illness, but a state of balance between the mind, body, senses and our surrounding environment. Central to this philosophy is the understanding that wellbeing is cultivated through the way we live, through our daily routines, our relationship with nature, and the practices we consciously integrate into our lives.

This is why holistic wellbeing cannot be viewed as something separate from everyday living. It’s about creating a lifestyle in which physical, mental and emotional wellbeing are supported through consistent, intentional practices. Sound, scent, touch, meditation and mindful rituals have long formed part of traditional approaches to encouraging balance and relaxation. Today, we’re seeing a renewed appreciation of these practices, alongside growing scientific interest in how sensory experiences and relaxation techniques may contribute to stress management and emotional wellbeing.

At Spa Ceylon, this philosophy has always been central to our approach to wellness. We believe wellbeing shouldn’t be limited to an occasional spa visit or wellness retreat. It should be something people can consciously integrate into their everyday lives through simple, meaningful practices.

This could be as simple as using an aromatic balm to complement a meditation practice, introducing calming aromas into the home to create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation, or taking a few minutes each evening to unwind through a sensory self-care ritual. Our spa experiences similarly bring together therapeutic touch, aroma, sound and traditional Ayurvedic practices to create immersive environments that encourage relaxation and reconnection.

The real opportunity lies in making these experiences accessible, practical and sustainable. It’s not necessarily about making dramatic lifestyle changes, but about introducing small, intentional moments of wellbeing into our daily routines.

Ultimately, I believe we’re witnessing a fundamental shift in how people approach wellness. In many ways, it’s a return to what Ayurveda has taught us for thousands of years: wellbeing isn’t something we pursue occasionally, but something we cultivate through the way we live every day.