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☆ Qatar Airways to launch First Class, as airline courts Airbus and Boeing for new planes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Dan Murphy | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Al Meer confirmed to CNBC that Qatar Airways is now developing a high-yielding First Class concept for its cabins. Along with preparing its First Class proposal, Qatar Airways is redesigning its premium "Q-Suite" class of seats, and the latest offering is set to debut at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. A Qatar Airways Boeing 777 In New York. Leslie Josephs | CNBCThe new aircraft order proposal follows a major legal dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus over safety concerns caused by paint degradation. Al Meer also said Qatar Airways would halt Al Baker's plans for a fast "phase-out" of the flagship Airbus A380.

Persons: Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Al Meer, Qatar's, Akbar Al Baker, Leslie Josephs, Max, Al Baker's Organizations: Qatar Airways, Boeing, Airbus, CNBC, International Airport, Farnborough, Qatar, Qatar Airways Boeing, Rival Emirates Locations: Al, China, India, Australia, Japan, Korea, New York

☆ An ex-Qatar Airways flight attendant says he was fired and deported after police found he was wearing tinted moisturizer and then accused him of being a sex worker
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The police found he was wearing tinted moisturizer and accused him of being a sex worker, he added. The I reported that Qatar Airways took the flight attendant's passport and drove him to the border. AdvertisementA former Qatar Airways flight attendant told the British newspaper the I that he was fired and deported after the police accused him of being a sex worker amid a crackdown on LGBTQ+ people. On the following day, the newspaper reported, Qatar Airways held Ignatius' passport and told him he was grounded. This month, Qatar Airways appointed a new CEO to take over from the outspoken Akbar Al Baker, who once said a woman couldn't do his job.

Persons: Gilbert Ignatius, —, Ignatius, Akbar Al Baker Organizations: Qatar Airways, Service, British, Qatari, Criminal, Business Locations: Doha, Qatar, Indonesia, Indonesian Embassy, Bangkok, Saudi Arabia

☆ Qatar Airways' new CEO — whose predecessor once said a woman couldn't do his job — wants to bring a culture of 'trust and empowerment' to the airline
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Qatar Airways has a new CEO after Akbar Al Baker was in charge for 27 years. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer wants "a culture of trust and empowerment" plus sustainable solutions. That could mark a change in tack from Al Baker, who often courted controversy. AdvertisementAdvertisementBadr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways CEO. Al-Meer was previously the chief operating officer of Hamad International Airport in Doha, which is Qatar Airways' main base.

Persons: Akbar Al Baker, Badr Mohammed Al, Meer, Al Baker, — Organizations: Qatar Airways, Service, Hamad International Airport Locations: Al, Meer, Doha

☆ Airline CEO who once said a woman couldn't do his job steps down after decades in post
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Qatar Airways announced that its CEO, Akbar Al Baker, is standing down after 27 years. Al Baker's leadership has seen the airline win an array of awards, including the World's Best Airline seven times. Since Al Baker took charge nearly three decades ago, Qatar's national carrier has grown hugely and picked up several awards along the way. AdvertisementAdvertisementBetween 2011 and 2022, it was named the World's Best Airline seven times by Skytrax. And this year saw Qatar Airways' business class offering named the world's best for the tenth time at the World Airline Awards.

Persons: Akbar Al Baker, Al Baker's, —, Badr Mohammed Al, Meer, Al Baker, hasn't, grandmothers Organizations: Qatar Airways, Service, Hamad International Airport, Skytrax, Association of, BBC, Qatar, FIFA, Associated Press Locations: Doha, Ireland

☆ Qatar Airways longtime CEO Akbar Al Baker to resign
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Tom Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Akbar Al Baker is resigning as chief executive of Qatar Airways, marking a sudden end to one of the longest managerial reigns in the world of aviation. Al Baker, who has led the airline since 1997, will step down on Nov. 5. The move was unexpected, and no reason was given by Qatar Airways for his departure. Known as one of the industry’s most outspoken and influential executives, Al Baker is widely credited with transforming Qatar Airways into one of the world’s top airlines. In 2018, Al Baker apologized for making sexist comments at an International Air Transport Association meeting.

Persons: CNN — Akbar Al Baker, Al Baker, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, ” Organizations: CNN, Qatar Airways, Doha Hamad Airport, International Air Transport Association Locations: Doha

Akbar Al Baker, QR Group CEO during the FIFA Legends Event on Dec 11, 2022. He has retired as CEO of Qatar Airways, a source familiar with the matter said on Oct 23, 2023. Qatar Airways could not immediately be reached for comment. Airbus and Qatar Airways settled at the end of January, averting a rare and potentially damaging UK court trial in the jet sector. It was not immediately clear whether Al Baker was retiring from other posts, which include serving as the chief executive of Hamad International Airport and of Qatar Duty Free.

Persons: Akbar Al Baker, Paul Childs, Al Baker, Gulf Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Al Baker's, Saad Sherida Al, Kaabi, Alex Macheras, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid Al Thani, Maha El Dahan, Andrew Mills, Alexander Cornwell, Tim Hepher, Bernadette Baum, Mark Potter, Sharon Singleton Organizations: QR, FIFA, Qatar Airways, REUTERS, DOHA, Reuters, Hamad International Airport, Dubai's, Turkish Airlines, U.S, Airbus, Boeing, Qatar, Qatar Duty Free, Thomson Locations: Gulf, Qatar’s, Dubai's Emirates, East, Berlin, Qatar

NEW YORK (AP) — Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker is stepping down after 27 years leading the company. Al Baker's retirement will go into effect Nov. 5, Qatar Airways said Monday. In Monday's announcement, Qatar Airways said that it “has grown to become one of the most recognisable and trusted brands globally” under Al Baker's leadership. During his tenure at Qatar Airways, Al Baker became known for being one of the most outspoken leaders in the airline industry — with a hard-changing, sometimes confrontational approach that carried into negotiations with manufacturers and others. Qatar Airway's earned revenue of $20.9 billion over the fiscal year, up from $14.4 billion the year before.

Persons: Akbar Al Baker, Al Baker's, Badr Mohammed Al, Meer —, Al Baker, ” Organizations: — Qatar Airways Group, Qatar Airways, Hamad International Airport, FIFA, Qatar, Qatar Airway's Locations: Doha, Qatar

☆ Airlines report soaring profits amid travel demands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —International airlines have reported significant profits this year, boosted by strong demand for leisure travel – and events, such as the World Cup, which gave Qatar Airlines an enormous lift. On Thursday, International Airlines Group, which includes Aer Lingus and British Airways, announced a record profit of about $1.4 billion for the first half of the year. “Customer demand remains strong across the Group, particularly for leisure travel, with around 80% of passenger revenue for the third quarter already booked. Qatar Airways reported a $1.2 billion profit for the past fiscal year, ascribing its strong performance to December’s FIFA World Cup. In its report, Qatar Airways said that, throughout the 2022 World Cup, the company operated around 140,000 flights to bring more than 1.4 million people to Qatar.

Persons: Luis Gallego, Benjamin Smith, Akbar Al Baker, Michael O’Leary, – CNN’s Mostafa Salem, Pierre Meilhan Organizations: CNN — International, Qatar, International Airlines Group, Aer Lingus, British Airways, KLM Group, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Olympic, Paralympic Games, Air, Qatar Airways, KLM, FIFA, Ryanair, Europe’s Locations: AirFrance, Amsterdam, France, Air France, Qatar

☆ There's no light at end of the tunnel for plane shortages, Qatar Airlines CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThere's no light at end of the tunnel for plane shortages, Qatar Airlines CEO saysQatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker discusses the biggest challenges for the aviation industry right now with CNBC's Phil LeBeau at the Paris Air Show.

Persons: Akbar Al Baker, Phil LeBeau Organizations: Qatar, Paris Air

☆ Qatar Airlines CEO says the aviation industry will not meet its emissions targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailQatar Airlines CEO says the aviation industry will not meet its emissions targetsSpeaking to CNBC’s Phil LeBeau at the Paris Air Show, Qatar Airlines CEO Akbar Al Baker discusses the industry's carbon emissions targets saying: "It's not going to happen."

Persons: Phil LeBeau, Akbar Al Baker Organizations: Qatar, Paris Air Show

☆ The world’s most eco-conscious airlines
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Elissa Garay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Most sustainability experts will scoff at the idea of “sustainable” and “airlines” in the same sentence. In 2022, an Airbus wide-body Beluga XL transport aircraft was filled with Sustainable Aviation Fuel" (SAF) for the first time. WiderøeNorway-based Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, says it is on track to become one of the world’s first fully emissions-free airlines. Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines has invested heavily in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty ImagesWhile most major global airlines are targeting 2050 for net-zero carbon emissions, Alaska Airlines intends to meet that target as soon as 2040.

Persons: ”, Pedro Piris, Sola Zheng, Sina Schuldt, Nicolas Jammes, ” Akbar Al Baker, “, Zheng, –, that’s, it’s, Beata Zawrzel, Fabrizio Gandolfo, Nicolas Economou, Bauer, Griffin, It’s Organizations: CNN, Environmental Defense Fund, International Council, Clean Transportation, Commercial, International Air Transport Association, UN, Airbus, Beluga XL, Sustainable Aviation, Qatar Airways, SAF, European Union, Google, Environmental Defense, Airlines, United Airlines United, Aerospace, United, Flight Fund, Widerøe Norway, Widerøe, Royce, SAS SAS, Scandinavian, SAS, Wizz, Wizz Air, Etihad Airways Etihad, Getty, Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirates, Boeing, Etihad, Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines, Aviation Fuels, AaronP, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada Canadian, Air Canada Locations: Europe, Denmark, Sweden, ICCT, Scandinavia, Norway, Canada

☆ Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker: Aviation will miss net zero target
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Tom Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The CEO of Qatar Airways has described the airline industry’s emissions goals as a “PR exercise,” saying aviation is on track to miss its target to achieve net zero status in 2050. “Let us not fool ourselves,” Al Baker told CNN’s Richard Quest. Currently, SAF production is less than 0.1% of what is needed for aviation to achieve net zero. “We’re openly acknowledging that this is going to be a huge challenge,” Walsh told Quest as the IATA meeting began on Sunday. Despite his skepticism on the industry’s current emissions targets, he still believes that net zero is achievable.

Persons: Akbar Al Baker, ” Al Baker, CNN’s Richard Quest, “, Al Baker, ”, Willie Walsh, Walsh, “ We’re, ” Walsh, Quest, I’m Organizations: London CNN, Qatar Airways, CNN, International Air Transport Association, SAF

☆ 'We love competition': Qatar Airways CEO welcomes new Saudi carrier
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Qatar Airways says it welcomes the competition from the new Saudi Arabian flag carrier Riyadh Air, although acknowledging a range of challenges and headwinds that the wider industry is currently facing. "We love competition," Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at the Arabian Travel Market conference in Dubai Monday. Launched in March, Riyadh Air will be the second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, with a main operational base in Riyadh and wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. But the new competition in the region might not mean cheaper air fares. "If you want cheap fares, then you have to go and fly airlines that also have a cheap product," he added.

"We could add maybe 85 or 90 destinations depending on the aircraft deliveries," Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told reporters. Airbus in March reinstated an order for 73 aircraft from Qatar Airways which it had revoked during a major legal dispute over damage to the surface of grounded A350s. Qatar Airways is also experiencing delayed delivery of Boeing 787 and 777X planes, Al Baker added. He later told reporters that Qatar Airways could pursue codeshares or exchanges of technical assistance with the new airline. High energy prices have not dented passenger demand for travel at Qatar Airways, where load factors, a measure of capacity utilisation, are in the "high 80s" Al Baker told reporters.

☆ Airbus has changed the design of its A350 flagship jet amid its dispute with Qatar Airways over peeling paint
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Airbus has changed the copper foil used on its A350 aircraft, which protects from lightning strikes. In 2021, Qatar Airways sued Airbus over chipped paint that exposes the copper mesh, citing a safety risk. According to Airbus, the company started "progressively" using PCF on A350 aircraft "fuselage section by fuselage section," starting with deliveries in late 2022. The change is significant considering Airbus' ongoing battle with Qatar Airways over the old copper foil — a dispute worth $2 billion, per Reuters. An undated image shows what appears to be paint peeling, cracking and exposed expanded copper foil (ECF) on the fuselage of a Qatar Airways Airbus A350 aircraft.

☆ Airbus and Qatar Airways line up for new UK court tussle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The latest court confrontation comes as France's progression to the World Cup final in Qatar increases high-level contacts that have previously been seen as the opportunity to explore room for agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron was welcomed at Doha airport on his arrival for Wednesday's semi-final by officials including Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, Qatar News Agency reported. Qatar Airways says widespread paint cracking has exposed deeper surface damage on the jets, prompting it to stop taking deliveries. Airbus (AIR.PA) has acknowledged quality problems with its premier long-haul model but denies any risk to safety and has cancelled all outstanding new business with Qatar Airways, which has increased purchases from rival Boeing (BA.N). Additional reporting by Andrew Mills Reporting by Tim Hepher Editing by Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Qatar World Cup lays bare environmental cost of a desert tournament
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Armelle De Oliveira | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Patrick-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

But as it hosts the soccer World Cup, controversy is also descending on the tiny Gulf kingdom. “The tournament has been labeled as the first ‘fully carbon neutral FIFA World Cup tournament,’ meaning its overall impact on the planet should be zero,” the letter said. People gather around the official countdown clock showing remaining time until the kick-off of the World Cup on Nov. 11. After winning the right to host the tournament, Qatar pledged to become the first carbon neutral World Cup host. “Events like the World Cup, like the football World Cup or like the Olympics bring joy and happiness to millions of people, sometimes even billions of people, right?” he said.

☆ These are the top 10 airlines in the world for 2022—and not one U.S. carrier made the list
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Airline-ranking company Skytrax ranked the world's best carriers, and not a single U.S. airline made it to the top 10. Travelers participating in the Skytrax survey were asked to rate the airlines based on: customer servicecomfortcleanlinessThe no. 1 airline of 2022: Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways ranked at the top of Skytrax's list. It will be the first World Cup held in the Arab world and the second held entirely in Asia. Top 10 airlines in the world 2022

☆ These are the 20 best airlines in the world, according to one survey of travelers: See the full list
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Qatar also won titles for having the world's best business class, the best business class seat, and the best business class lounge dining, according to the Skytrax survey. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines earned two titles, including the best low-cost airline in both North America and the US. Here's a closer look at the world's Top 20 best carriers for 2022, according to Skytrax's survey of travelers. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty ImageTurkish Airlines is based in Istanbul and flies routes throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Qatar AirwaysDoha-based Qatar Airways is the world's best airline, according to survey data collected by Skytrax.

☆ Airline tickets could become even more expensive, aviation execs warn
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Walsh added that while consumers are paying higher ticket prices, airlines are not necessarily making a profit. watch nowAirline ticket prices have spiked by 25% in the past year — the biggest annual jump since 1989. Russia-Ukraine warBut another factor could contribute to even higher ticket prices — Russia's announcement of a military mobilization, said Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker. Oil prices jumped by more than 2% after Putin's announcement, following concerns of an escalation of the war in Ukraine and squeezing oil and gas supplies. Hopes for affordable sustainable fuelAl Baker called for more investments in alternative fuel, and that Qatar Airlines is "ready to invest in sustainable aviation fuel" on the condition that it is "reasonably priced."

☆ Watch CNBC’s full interview with Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWatch CNBC’s full interview with Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al BakerQatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker speaks to CNBC’s Hadley Gamble at the IATA World Financial Symposium in Doha about the aviation industry’s recovery post-pandemic and the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine ahead of Qatar’s World Cup.

☆ Qatar Airways CEO: The biggest challenge to aviation is political upheaval
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailQatar Airways CEO: The biggest challenge to aviation is political upheavalQatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker discusses the challenges of the Covid pandemic, oil prices, manpower shortages and so on.

☆ Russia’s partial mobilization could affect oil prices ahead of World Cup: Qatar Airways CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRussia’s partial mobilization could affect oil prices ahead of World Cup: Qatar Airways CEOAkbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO, says he's worried Russia’s partial mobilization could affect passenger traffic and oil prices ahead of the soccer World Cup.

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