One of the longest-serving airline CEOs, and one who turned Qatar Airways into a major global carrier, is stepping down after nearly three decades in the top job.
Following 27 years of “remarkable service”, the airline announced that Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker would be retiring from his current position on 5 November 2023.
In a statement, Qatar Airways said Badr Mohammed Al-Meer will replace Al Baker as Group CEO. Al-Meer is currently chief operating officer at Hamad International Airport, which Qatar Airways manages and operates.
Qatar Airways said that under Al Baker’s leadership, the airline had risen to become “one of the most recognisable and trusted brands globally, synonymous with customer service quality and the highest of standards”.
The national carrier of Qatar is a record seven-time winner of Skytrax’s “World’s Best Airline” award (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022), while Hamad Airport was named Skytrax’s “World’s Best Airport” in 2021 and 2022.
In September, the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) honoured Al Baker with a CEO Lifetime Achievement Award, which “recognises industry leaders for their dedication, efforts and commitment to enhancing passenger experience”.
Upon receiving the award, Al Baker said, “It is owing to the dedication of our employees across the world that our award-winning airline continues to outperform at the highest level of our industry”.
APEX CEO Dr Joe Leader called Al Baker “a true pioneer in aviation”.
“H.E. Mr. Al Baker’s leadership at Qatar Airways embodies the spirit of innovation, marrying the grandeur of Qatari tradition with an unyielding commitment to passenger excellence,” he stated.
“Whether it is the trailblazing Qsuite experience, an exceptional in-flight entertainment library, or the airline’s unwavering focus on health during unprecedented times, his legacy paints a mosaic of dedication, foresight, and a relentless drive for perfection.”
Never a dull moment
Al Baker was one of aviation’s most outspoken leaders, who regularly clashed with U.S. and European airline chiefs on trade and labour issues, as well as Airbus and Boeing over their strategies and workmanship, according to Reuters.
He also pushed to keep routes open during the pandemic to help boost Qatar’s global presence.
In Australia, Qatar Airways has been in the headlines after the federal government blocked its push to increase capacity into the country’s major hubs.
Read our review of Qatar Airways’ Business Class service from Sydney to Doha. Also, check out our review of Hamad International Airport.
