Akbar Al Baker to Step Down as Group CEO of Qatar Airways; Successor Named

Tue, 24 October 2023

	Media Services	Videos / Interviews	Podcasts	Pictures	Travel Industry News
Akbar Al Baker to Step Down as Group CEO of Qatar Airways; Successor Named

(24/10/23) Qatar Airways has confirmed that Akbar Al Baker will be stepping down from his current position as Group Chief Executive effective 5 November 2023, after 27 years at the helm.

Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer

He will be succeeded by Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer as Group Chief Executive for Qatar Airways.

Under H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker's leadership, Qatar Airways has grown 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 the State of Qatar has achieved an unprecedented seven-times win of the “World's Best Airline” award, and its state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport, which is under its management and operation, has also been recognised as the "World's Best Airport".

The Qatar Airways Group’s contribution to helping deliver the best ever FIFA World Cup showcased to the world its capability, commitment to excellence, and its passion for bringing the world together.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ for the tenth time at the 2023 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, also taking home, Best Airline in the Middle East, World's Best Business Class Lounge and World's Best Business Class Lounge Dining at the prestigious awards held during the 2023 Paris Air Show. Qatar Airways is an unprecedented seven-time winner of the “World’s Best Airline” voted by Skytrax (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022).

Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 160 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, voted by Skytrax as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in 2021 and 2022 consecutively. This year, Hamad International Airport has been ranked by Skytrax as the second-best airport in the world, and received the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ accolade for the ninth time in a row, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’.

How Times Have Changed - Flashback to November 2010 - Interview with Akbar Al Baker

In November 2010, Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com had the honour of meeting and interviewing Mr. Akbar Al Baker about his plans for what was then still a relatively young airline. How times have changed!

Latest exclusive video interviews: 16 HD Video Interviews from Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark; 9 HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia; Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman; 9 Exclusive Video Interviews from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 8 NTO Press Conferences from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 13 HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England; 5 HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France; 15 HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye; and Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport (ALA) in Kazakhstan - HD Video Interview with CEO.

Headlines:

Singapore Airlines to Establish a Foundation Plaza Premium to Open City Terminal Lounge in Osaka, Japan ATR Appoints Andrea Coccetti as CFO and SVP Finance Pegasus Airlines to Launch Flights Between Ankara and Dublin, Ireland Hawaiian Airlines Launches Flights Between Honolulu and Salt Lake City IHG Signs Crowne Plaza Resort in Nepalgunj, Nepal Minor Hotels Appoints Puneet Dhawan as Head of Asia Pegasus Airlines Launches Flights Between Istanbul and Bratislava, Slovakia Amelia Appoints APG as Online GSA in Belgium and Offline GSA in Luxembourg Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel in Dubai Appoints Nidal Shbat as Director of Sales Cross Launches New Hotel Brand Air Astana Warns Nomad Club FFP Members About Upcoming Upgrade WTM London 2024 Opens Call for Papers IndiGo to Launch Direct Flights Between Deoghar and Bengaluru Travel and Tourism Industry Deal Activity Down 13.5% Thai AirAsia Reports Q1 2024 Results Greg Gubiani Joins World's Best Airport Hotel as GM Passenger Security Charge at Hong Kong Airport to Increase in Phases Hotel Management Japan to Upgrade Distribution with SynXis and Channel Connect Trials on Use of Renewable Diesel for Airside Vehicles at Singapore Changi Airport IHG to Expand Hotel Indigo and Vignette Collection Brands to Vietnam Pegasus Airlines to Launch Flights Between Istanbul and Edinburgh, Scotland Philippines and Singapore Agree to Significantly Improve Air Connectivity Lokesh Kumar Joins Minor Hotels as Vice President of Development - Middle East Norse Atlantic Reports Strong Passenger Numbers for April 2024 Hong Kong to Host Routes World 2025 Emirates to Refurbish 71 More A380 and B777 Aircraft Yotel Partners Frasers Hospitality for First Hotel in Japan British Airways Holidays Reveals Results from 2024 Travel Trends Report Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel Joins WorldHotels Four Seasons Signs New-Build Luxury Hotel in Madinah, Saudi Arabia Etihad Airways Offers Free Hotel Stays in Abu Dhabi Stopover Promotion Shell Sells Energy and Chemicals Park in Singapore SWISS Launches Flights Between Zurich and Seoul, South Korea Marriott Opens First AC Hotel in Southwest China High-Speed Fun in Denmark! HD Video Interview with Aarhus Sea Rangers Dusit Signs First All-Inclusive Hotel Scoot's First E190-E2 Enters Commercial Service with Flight to Krabi, Thailand Pjey Mayandi Appointed GM of M Social Phuket Hotel in Thailand Accor Takes Over Management of Hotel in Brisbane, Australia 16 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark IndiGo to Double Number of Flights Between Delhi and Phuket, Thailand Marasca's Second Hotel in Thailand to Open on Koh Samui in July Over 400 Exhibitors Expected at ITB India 2024 in September AirAsia Launches Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Ahmedabad, India Korean Air to Launch Direct Flights Between Seoul Incheon and Portugal Marriott's 150th Hotel in India is a Vegetarian Resort in Katra Plaza Premium Expands Flight Club at Kuala Lumpur Airport with Restaurant in T1 Aviation: International RPK Increases 18.9% Globally; Asia Pacific Airlines +38.5% Brunei Orders Six H145M Helicopters to Replace BO105s Singapore-Based Lessor Orders 10 ATR 72-600s AirAsia's Seventh Airline Launches Flights Pattaya Airways Takes Delivery of First of Two ATR Freighters Minor Hotels Opens Office in Bengaluru; Targets 50 Hotel Openings in India Within Decade Marriott Opens Eighth Sheraton Hotel in Vietnam IHG Signs Hotel in The Forestias Mixed-Use Development Near Bangkok, Thailand Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Reports March 2024 Traffic Numbers Hong Kong Airlines Resumes Saipan Flights Sabre Becomes First GDS to Provide NDC Content Through Zeno FCM Appoints Siddharth Mehta as Vice President of Supply for India Hong Kong Airlines Launches Flights to Vientiane, Laos Air Astana to Resume Flights Between Astana and Seoul, South Korea Airbus Expands Pléiades Neo Earth Observation Constellation with New Programme ASM Global to Operate ICC Sydney for 10 More Years SAS Signs Alliance Adherence Agreement with SkyTeam OUE Awarded Tender for 255-Room Zero-Energy Hotel at Changi Airport, Singapore Korean Air to Launch Seoul Incheon - Macau Flights John Girard Joins Plaza Premium as General Manager Operations - Hong Kong IndiGo to Order 30 A350-900s Powered by 60 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84s Sabre Expands Lodging, Ground & Sea Team Lodz Airport (LCJ) Central Poland - Interview with Robert Makowski, Commercial Director (CCO) Greenland Airports - Interview with Jens R. Lauridsen, CEO Glasgow (GLA), Southampton (SOU) and Aberdeen Airports (ABZ) - Interview with Christopher Tibbett, Aviation Director Visit Aarhus - Interview with Pia Lange Christensen, CEO Aarhus Airport (AAR) in Denmark - Interview with Lotta Sandsgaard, CEO Visit Estonia - Interview with Kristina Kästik, B2B Team Lead, at Routes Europe 2024 Airsiders - Interview with Antonio Pascale, Commercial Director, at Routes Europe 2024 PDC Airport Solutions - Interview with Flemming Glyager at Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark Hannover Airport (HAJ) - Interview with Prof. Dr. Martin Roll, CEO Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) - Interview with Michiel Parent, Commercial Director London Southend Airport (SEN) - Interview with Marc Watkins, RDM Tallinn Airport (TLL) in Estonia - Interview with Eero Pärgmäe Board Member and CCO Isle of Man Airport (IOM) - Interview with Gary Cobb, Airport Director Visit Isle of Man - Interview with Deborah Heather, CEO, at Routes Europe 2024 OAG - Interview with Chelsea Waller at Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark IHG Signs Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dehradun, India Air Astana and Neos Sign MOU on Strategic Partnership Fiji Airways to Use Assaia's TurnaroundControl Solution AirX Signs LOI with Eve For Up To 50 eVTOL Aircraft Executive Changes as bp Simplifies Organisational Structure Thai AirAsia to Launch Daily Flights Between Suvarnabhumi and Hat Yai Lufthansa's Brand New Long-Haul Allegris Cabin to Enter Service on 1 May Bangkok Airways Extends Partnership with Sabre IHG Expanding Garner Hotels Midscale Conversion Brand to More Countries CWT Expands Access to Finnair NDC Content in Finland and the Nordics Tourism Malaysia Extends Data and Market Intelligence Agreement with Travelport Rajiv Bhatia Joins Sabre as Executive Director - Asia Pacific Market Expansion Copenhagen Home to First Fairfield by Marriott Hotel in Europe Hawaiian Airlines' New Flagship Aircraft Enters Service Travelodge Opens Fourth Hotel in Seoul, South Korea Sabre Partners South Korean OTA, InterparkTriple British Airways Upgrading Weather Data Available to Pilots and Flight Planning Teams Air Astana Increases Flights and Resumes Services to Select Destinations Jean-Marie Le Gall Appointed General Manager of The Woodward Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland IHG Signs Second Kimpton Hotel in Portugal Scoot Takes Delivery of First of Nine E190-E2 Aircraft from Azorra Finnair Updates Summer 2025 Flight Schedule Delta Air Lines Launches Thrice Weekly Munich - New York JFK Flights Japan Coast Guard to Expand Fleet with Three Airbus H225 Helicopters EL AL to Implement NetLine/Ops ++ Sabre to Upgrade Japanese Hotel Company's Distribution and Retailing Strategy Air Astana Upgrades Safety Training with CEET and RFFT Simulators in Astana, Kazakhstan Dean Dimitriou Returns to The Murray Hong Kong as Hotel General Manager ASM Global Appoints Matthew Lazarus-Hall as EVP Entertainment & Content Thai Lion Air Launches Bangkok - Kochi Flights; Appoints Çelebi as Ground Handler Onyx Hospitality Signs Shama Serviced Apartments in Rayong, Thailand AirAsia X to Resume Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Changsha, China IndiGo to Launch Kozhikode - Kochi - Agatti Flights Neste Supplying Emirates with SAF at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; Changi Next Amadeus Completes Acquisition of Vision-Box AirJapan Enhances Operations with Radixx PSS New Zealand Men and Women Win Final Sevens Tournament at Hong Kong Stadium Korean Air to Operate Seasonal Charter Flights Between Seoul Incheon and Taichung, Taiwan Pegasus Airlines Launches Flights Between Ankara and Lisbon, Portugal Smiths Detection Appoints Jerome de Chassey as President AirAsia X Resumes Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Xi'an, China Cathay Cargo Resumes Freighter Flights from Saigon, Vietnam SITA Publishes White Paper on Role of Biometrics in Air Travel Cheval Collection Expands Global Hotel Alliance's Portfolio to Serviced Apartments Langham Rebrands Hotel in Foshan, China Aviation: International Passenger Demand Up 26.3%; Asia Pacific Airlines Report 53.2% Increase International Air Cargo Demand Up 12.4% in February 2024; Capacity Up 16% L'Occitane Group Appoints Green Yip as Regional MD - Travel Retail Asia Pacific Le Bristol Paris Appoints Arnaud Faye as Executive Chef Chris Kemlo Appointed General Manager of The Calile Hotel in Brisbane, Australia Sabre Space Roadshow to Take Place in Delhi and Mumbai, India Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo to Codeshare Accor Expands Portfolio with 22 Hotels in Japan Hong Kong Airlines Resumes Flights to Kagoshima, Japan FlyArystan Receives AOC from Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan Marriott Opens Resort on Perhentian Keci Island in Terengganu, Malaysia AirAsia Malaysia Resumes Kuching - Penang and Kota Kinabalu - Penang Flights Hong Kong Stadium Prepares for Final Sevens; International Fans Buy Over 40% of Tickets ExecuJet Opens New MRO Facility at Subang Airport Near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Michelle Freyre to Join United Airlines' Board of Directors Lloyd's Inn Kuala Lumpur to Open 1 April Korean Air Unveils New Maintenance, Aerospace, Cargo and Ground Handling Uniforms Nine Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia 9 Exclusive Video Interviews with VIPs at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos 8 NTO Press Conferences from the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos 13 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England 5 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France 15 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan - Video Interview with Co-Founder Pictures from Miss International Queen 2023 Transgender Beauty Pageant in Pattaya, Thailand Exclusive Video Interviews with 17 Miss International Queen 2023 Contestants Living With One Eye - Six Years On by Steven Howard HD Videos and Interviews Podcasts from HD Video Interviews RSS Feed - Travel Industry News Ticker - Travel Industry News Travel Industry News Archives Travel Trade Shows High-Res Picture Galleries Travel News Asia - Latest Travel Industry News

Subscribe to our Travel Industry News RSS Feed . To do that in Outlook, right-click the RSS Feeds folder, select Add a New RSS Feed, enter the URL of our RSS Feed which is: https://www.travelnewsasia.com/travelnews.xml and click Add. The feed can also be used to add the headlines to your website or channel via a customisable applet. Have questions? Please read our Travel News FAQ. Thank you.

Latest Travel Trade News

Advertising

Advertise Here