Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker Resigns, Ending 27-Year Leadership

In a surprising announcement, Akbar Al Baker is stepping down from his role as the chief executive of Qatar Airways, marking the conclusion of one of the longest-running leadership tenures in the aviation industry. Al Baker, who has been at the helm of the airline since 1997, will officially resign on November 5. Qatar Airways did not provide a specific reason for his departure. Instead, they announced that he would be succeeded by Badr Mohammed Al Meer, the current chief operating officer of Doha Hamad Airport, which serves as the airline’s primary hub.

During his tenure as CEO, Akbar Al Baker earned a reputation as one of the airline industry’s most outspoken and influential executives. He is widely recognized for his instrumental role in transforming Qatar Airways into a global aviation powerhouse. Under his leadership, the airline underwent significant expansion and invested heavily in developing Doha Airport into a prominent global hub. Notably, Al Baker also serves as the airport’s chief executive.

However, his outspoken nature sometimes led to controversy. In June, Al Baker voiced skepticism about the aviation industry’s net-zero emission targets, referring to them as a “PR exercise” and predicting that they would be unattainable.

In 2018, the Qatar Airways CEO issued an apology for making sexist remarks during an International Air Transport Association meeting. When questioned about gender inequality within the aviation sector, Al Baker asserted that Middle East airlines should be led by men because it is a “very challenging position.” His comments sparked widespread backlash, and in response, Al Baker expressed regret in a statement, stating his willingness to support the development of female candidates for leadership positions within Qatar Airways.