Akbar Al Baker, one of the airline industry’s driving forces is retiring as chief executive of Qatar Airways after almost 30 years in the cockpit according to Reuters.
Mr. Al Baker’s resignation was announced to staff in a circular from the airline’s Chairman Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi who paid tribute to his “27 years of remarkable service”.
Appointed in 1997, three years after the airline’s launch, Mr Al Baker was pivotal in transforming Qatar Airways into a major international airline that raised the bar for others to follow.
Qatar Airways Group confirmed that after 27 years of remarkable service, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, will be stepping down from his current position as Group Chief Executive effective 5 November 2023, and will be succeeded by Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer as Group Chief Executive for Qatar Airways.
The airline said that under 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.
