Travel Industry News at TravelNewsAsia.com since 1997
Tue, 24 October 2023

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. Click to enlarge.
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!

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