Longtime CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker will resign after more than 25 years in the position.
Akbar Al Baker, the forthright CEO who transformed Qatar Airways into one of the world’s top airlines, intends to step down from his position on November 5th, 2023 marking over twenty-five years in the role, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The CEO conveyed his departure date to the company’s employees through an internal memo, sources said, who wish to remain anonymous due to the decision not being formally announced.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead such an exceptional global team, and the greatest honor of my life to serve my country,” Al Baker said in his memo. This statement was shared by aviation consultant Alex Macheras, who posted an excerpt on X.
As of now, there has been no immediate comment from Qatar Airways officials. According to Macheras, Badr Al Meer, the Chief Operating Officer of Doha Hamad International Airport, is set to assume the role of CEO in Al Baker’s stead.
In 1997, Al Baker joined a three-year-old regional airline and transformed it into a long-distance powerhouse. Qatar Airways now flies to over 150 destinations from its base in Doha, including Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand.
Qatar has been ranked first or second in Airline of the Year by consulting firm Skytrax since 2011, thanks to Al Baker’s commitment to providing a premium experience. However, this has led to conflicts with Airbus SE and Boeing Co. Most recently, Al Baker and Airbus went to court over an issue involving paint flaking on A350 wide-body aircraft. After a fraught standoff in which Airbus cancelled some orders, Al Baker turned to Boeing for aircraft in February of this year.
Al Baker’s retirement has been expected for a number of years, but he has always stated that he would stand down if asked.
