Lifetime of Achievement – Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways

Twenty-seven years of remarkable service.

That’s how The Qatar Airways Group described His Excellency Akbar Al Baker’s nearly three decade-long leadership reign, in a statement announcing he was stepping down from his position as CEO, effective November 2023.

Remarkable is an understatement.

While Al Baker has grabbed global headlines as one of the most outspoken leaders in the airline industry, there is no doubting his extraordinary contribution to the industry – and to Qatar. 

Al Baker, who had led the state-owned airline since its founding in 1997 – holding one of the longest leadership reigns in the world of aviation – is widely credited with transforming Qatar Airways into one of the world’s greatest international airlines. 

The world's fastest-growing airline

Steering Qatar Airways for close to three decades, Al Baker grew the airline from a fleet of just five planes in 1996 to 284 fuel-efficient planes today – serving 160 destinations worldwide.

One of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, under Baker, Qatar Airways is regarded as an industry pioneer – at the forefront of adopting new aircraft (it now operates one of the youngest fleets globally) and experimental in its launch of business-class features such as privacy doors and suites (QSuites) that seat up to four people.

The airline has “grown to become one of the most recognisable and trusted brands globally, synonymous with customer service quality and the highest of standards”, according to a statement by the Group.

Under Al Baker’s leadership, Qatar Airways secured the ‘World’s Best Airline’ award by Skytrax a staggering seven times, landed ‘World’s Best Business Class’ ten times, while state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport – whose ambitious expansion was overseen by Al Baker – has been recognised as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in 2021 and 2022.

Al Baker, who served in key government roles prior to joining Qatar Airways in 1996, successfully navigated the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic – and was instrumental in helping to deliver the FIFA World cup. 

The Group reported a 45% rise in revenue in FY22/23 to US$21 billion, with passenger revenue rising by 100% annually. Passenger numbers surged 71% to 31.7 million and capacity increased by 31%, driven by the highest yields and load factor in the airline's history.

As well as building Qatar Airways, Al Baker led the acquisition of stakes in other airlines, and today Qatar owns a significant stake in China Southern Airlines, International Airlines Group (owner of BA), Cathay Pacific, RwandAir and LATAM Airlines Group.

And he was the driving force behind the launch of Hamad International Airport, the hub of Qatar Airways since 2014. During the first half of 2023, the airport witnessed a 33.5% increase in passenger traffic.

Indirectly, Qatar Airways contributes nearly 11% to Qatar's GDP. 

In a statement to employees, Al Baker said it had been an “incredible privilege to lead such an exceptional global team, and the honour of a lifetime to serve my country, and His Highness the Amir”.

It’s not all been ‘plane’ sailing, however.

As well as being one of the aviation industry’s most influential executives, Akbar Al Baker has courted controversy with his outspoken views on the industry – some welcomed, some not.

He once called American carriers “crap” and has been publicly critical of Airbus and Boeing, dissing both plane-makers on their craftsmanship, decision-making and strategy.

Earlier this year, he navigated the airline through a legal encounter with Airbus over chipped paint on the A350 aircraft, claiming a safety issue. The case was settled earlier this year without a trial.

And in 2018, he courted controversy when, asked about the lack of female leadership at his airline, he replied: “Of course, it has to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position”. He later apologised.

No reason was given for Al Baker's abrupt resignation, but the announcement follows a decision by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to replace Al Baker as Chairman of Qatar Tourism, according to Qatar News Agency.

Al Baker will be succeeded by Eng. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, who is currently CEOO of Qatar Airways-owned Hamad International Airport in Doha.