While we see changes in airline leadership all the time, this is something I didn’t see happening, and it has to be one of the most significant resignations we’ve seen in years…
In this post:
Akbar Al Baker stepping down at Qatar Airways
It has been announced that Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker will be stepping down from his position as of November 5, 2023. The Qatari national has been leading the airline for 27 years, and is the man with the vision who turned the airline into what it is today. In addition to being CEO of Qatar Airways Group, Al Baker has also served as Chairman of Qatar Tourism, and CEO of Hamad International Airport.
The 61-year-old airline executive is one of the most prolific airline leaders in the world, and leaves an unforgettable legacy. Beyond the growth of his airline, Al Baker will always be remembered for his colorful industry commentary.
No matter which conference he spoke at or interview he gave, he always had something to say, and never held back. There’s also no denying that Al Baker has an attention to detail and a passenger experience focus that few airline executives have.
Frankly I’m surprised to see that he’s retiring. As a Qatari national, I can’t imagine he’s leaving to accept a job at another airline, but rather I assume he’s just retiring, or something. Obviously he has served the airline for a very long time, so the reason I’m surprised he’s leaving is because of his passion for the industry and the airline. Leading aviation in Qatar wasn’t just his job, but seemed to be what he loved as well. There’s not an airline CEO who is more obsessed with their own airline than Al Baker.
The timing here is a bit surprising, given that he is only leaving with a couple of weeks notice, after such a long career. Did something change abruptly? Did personal circumstances change? Did business circumstances change? Did he have some sort of a falling out with the government? It’s all very strange. If this comes down to personal or family health issues, I hope he is okay…
But this announcement oddly has a different tone. For example, Qatar Airways’ press release about this doesn’t include any quote from him, which is typically standard when an executive leaves on good terms. I’m curious if we’ll ever get more clarity on this. I’m hearing all kinds of rumors, but…
Mohammed Al Meer appointed Qatar Airways CEO
The new CEO of Qatar Airways Group is Badr Mohammed Al Meer, who takes over as of November 2023. Al Meer currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Doha Hamad International Airport. So it’s quite a pivot to go from being COO of an airport to CEO of such a big airline.
I think it was a given that Qatar Airways was going to appoint a Qatari national to the role, as that’s usually how it goes in the Middle East. It’s the same as how Emirates’ CEO is Emirati, even though Emirates President Tim Clark basically runs the show.
I had never heard of Al Meer prior to today, so I don’t really have an opinion. I do hope that he surrounds himself with competent leaders.
What’s next for Qatar Airways?
We know who Qatar Airways’ new CEO will be, but I think the big question is what the senior management team will look like. In the past several years, Qatar Airways has focused on attracting a lot of industry talent, and they’ve done great work at the airline.
My hope is that for all practical purposes, Thierry Antinori sticks around and is leading the airline. Antinori has been working at Qatar Airways as the Chief Commercial Officer since 2019, and has done a great job at the airline. Interestingly he was in the same position at Emirates until 2019, when he left to take on that role at Qatar Airways.
He’s a really bright guy, who has had a long career in the airline industry. Prior to Qatar Airways and Emirates, he worked for Air France and Lufthansa. Best of all, it seems like he has actually had power at Qatar Airways, and has been someone that Al Baker trusts.
I think the best thing Qatar Airways could do is to appoint Antinori President (like Clark at Emirates), and have him work side-by-side with Al Meer. Of course I’m getting ahead of myself here, because a lot of the circumstances surrounding this sudden management change seem strange, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s some mass exodus at the airline.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker is resigning from the airline as of November 5, 2023. He has been at the company for 27 years, and is the man with the vision behind Qatar Airways. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operations Officer of Doha Hamad International Airport, has now been appointed CEO of the airline group.
This all seems incredibly unexpected and abrupt, so I wonder how this unfolds. Love him or hate him, one thing is for sure — Al Baker is a one-of-a-kind guy, and there will never be someone quite like him in the airline industry again. This is the end of an era.
What do you make of Al Baker leaving Qatar Airways?
As always in these parts, nothing but praise for Qatar, a country that supports and funds terrorism, where there are no human rights if you’re not a citizen, where slavery is prevalent.
I was hoping to see more criticism now that the whole world knows they host Hamas leadership in luxury and send suitcases of cash to Gaza. But no, nothing would ever be enough to have you criticize them, those Qsuites are too good
Do you also criticize the US/UK/other European country governments for their support of Israel and their prominent role in killing of innocent civilians across Palestine for several years, or is it only one sided?
It’s not a surprise, this has been planned for some time, and his successor appointed a while ago - just not made public. HE Mr Al Baker will take up a government position as an advisor to the Prime Minister.
They've been trying to get rid of him for years. They finally managed to make it stick. Good riddance.
Not so
What if he comes over to run Delta? Maybe…delta will actually become a premium airline!
What is your source and why will they get rid of him when he lived and breathed Qatar(Airways)? Makes no sense to me
Qatar airport transfer process leaves a lot to be desired these days regardless of class. You say this man managed the airport?? Just hope the airline continues to lead and not follow. Morale needs to be kept up.
I can assure you this man has spent more time in hotel rooms with various women than in his airport office.
The airport was basically run by the VP Operations.
And it's an awfully toxic working environment, reflecting perfectly the one of Qatar Airways in general.
Signed : and ex employee (6+ years).
Cheers
Al Bakr was a dictator and ruthless.
It's time fir ĥim to leave and I think qatar Airways will keep growing for tge best .
It's the system that prevails not tge people.
Am sure under tge new management of ceo badr the company will thrive and move forward.
Good luck Mr Meer with your endeavour.
Ah, Admiral Akbar finally gets blown out an air-vent, as well he should. Well deserved for such a smarmy arsehole.
Good riddance - don't let the cabin door hit ya, where the good lord split ya...BYEEEEEEEEEEEE
It's a trap!
Whatever his reason for resigning Im pretty sure it is for his own good will
Almost any time a CEO leaves this abruptly, something bad has happened. The fact that Al Baker has been among the best-known and most notable executives of a major global airline for so many years makes it all the more interesting.
The decision wasn’t abrupt, only the announcement. Both were carefully planned.
During these years of flying QR, enjoying the various upgrades to the DOH facilities, making personal friends with so many of the workers at Al Mourjan and on board, i have felt the presence of AAB, alpha 1 as he is internally known. thank you for all these years of very good flying between the three continents
Glad you had such a nice experience as a customer.
Employees, on the other hand, suffer from a dictatorial-style of so called "leadership". The work culture is a perfect "not-to-do" example, with simply everything wrong you can possibly imagine. I can dare anyone to list any 20 things they would use as example of "bad management", 19 of them at least you would find in QR group.
Mr Al Baker won't be missed...
Glad you had such a nice experience as a customer.
Employees, on the other hand, suffer from a dictatorial-style of so called "leadership". The work culture is a perfect "not-to-do" example, with simply everything wrong you can possibly imagine. I can dare anyone to list any 20 things they would use as example of "bad management", 19 of them at least you would find in QR group.
Mr Al Baker won't be missed but by the lick-arses that dug their hole in the many stratus of the company and do everything in their power to stay there, which usually include not absolutely fuck-all apart from blaming others for not doing anything. Engineer Badr Al Meer, as he likes being called - forgetting "His Excellency" title - will do no different.
But I'm certain the passenger experience won't bulge much, since it's achieved at the cost of disposable, obey-or-leave, workforce.
Cheers
Ah so he 'decided to resign' did he? Justl like I did when they fired me for no given reason back in the day.
He has ben a troublemaker with his idle threats, etc.
What suddenly changed?
Pure speculation - there's one major world event happening right now, with significant Qatari involvement. He might have supported the wrong side.
You couldn’t be more wrong. Mr Al Baker is taking up a government advisory role with the PM
What suddenly changed?
Pure speculation - there's one major world event happening right now, with significant Qatari involvement. He might have supported the wrong side.
Hot take: Akbar Al Baker as mediator would resolve this global conflict within less than 1h if you'd lock the decision makers on both sides together with him into a room.
Per Turning Left for Less:
“…it has now been announced that Al Baker has been appointed advisor to H.E the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.”
This advisor without portfolio thing as a face-saving move up and out and/or perhaps the Qatari emir is out to do him a favor for services rendered already? Or is it that the country is in need of a new PR machine and this is part of that? I assume it’s more likely the former or an attempt to glad-hand him, perhaps after there was a tantrum of sorts?
It's been announced that his new job will be as advisor to H.E. Scheikh Mohammed A Thani the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
Sounds like as an advisor he'll be barely visible.
"Prolific" doesn't mean what you think it means, unless you meant to imply that Al Baker had a lot of children, or that he founded a lot of airlines (using the word more metaphorically).
But David Neeleman, who is Mormon and has 10 children, and who founded at least 3 airlines, probably wins that prize!
If it was health/personal issues, he'd have gotten a glowing sendoff.
He probably got fired because of the disastrous QSuites product. Nobody likes QSuites.
Huh???!!!
Said no one but you
Agreed.
That should read ... Agreed. I don't like them either.
I am sensing that AAB will be joining RiyadhAir.. announcement to come out shortly
Wrong. You need to update yourself.
I doubt Qataris would be in good terms with Saudis.
Besides Tony Douglas is more than capable of running RX.
You'd expect QR will move to install premium economy class after this.
Al Bakr has upgraded Business class to the point First has become irrelevant. Doing so he has created a gap in QR's offering which other airlines are happy to fill. So much so that QR Suites can't be rolled out in all markets.
That and the Airbus feud have been massive strategic errors that place the airline at a disadvantage moving forward,...
You'd expect QR will move to install premium economy class after this.
Al Bakr has upgraded Business class to the point First has become irrelevant. Doing so he has created a gap in QR's offering which other airlines are happy to fill. So much so that QR Suites can't be rolled out in all markets.
That and the Airbus feud have been massive strategic errors that place the airline at a disadvantage moving forward, especially with Etihad on the come back and massive investment in Saudi Arabia. The toxic work culture probably did not help as those competitors llok to grow their workforce.
One can only speculate on the reasons that led to the trigger being at this specific time but it's clear QR needed new management.
My best wishes to Mr. Baker. He truly is one of a kind and I will miss his commentary. Nonetheless, he created a truly extraordinary and world-class airline.
I remember seeing a picture of him a few weeks ago, and I thought to myself that he looked noticeably weaker and more frail (more than one should look so suddenly at his age). I hope he is well and wish him all the best!
On the whole, not great news. The only possible silver lining would be if the new guy likes the A380 more than AAB and wants to keep it going, that would make me VERY happy but other than that possibility, don't see much upside here.
I am certain, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker is stepping down from the Qatari National Airline Qatar Airways, for what ever reason i believe to be one we can respect, and we only wish him well in his future endeavor's.
In my opinion, i believe firmly that a Qatari should be in control of the Nations Airline, after all looking back when the Airline started in 1993, we had His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin...
I am certain, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker is stepping down from the Qatari National Airline Qatar Airways, for what ever reason i believe to be one we can respect, and we only wish him well in his future endeavor's.
In my opinion, i believe firmly that a Qatari should be in control of the Nations Airline, after all looking back when the Airline started in 1993, we had His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani, the CEO of the Nations Carrier.
The airline has been successfully moving forward, so in my opinion keep it Qatari.
Hm I wonder where you are from?
Since QR was built by transferring money from the government pockets (themselves from the Ministry of Oil pockets) to the airline, of course the CEO will remain a Qatari.
This whole airline was designed as an ambassador of the country, to build fame and influence. It will forever remain in the hands of Qataris.
I have it on good authority that AAB is resigning due to his fears about not being able to compete with Delta's profitability, their ability to command premium revenue, and the fact that they own an oil refinery.
Yeah, don't forget that DL outperformed QR in SLC, MSP, and DTW!
Okay, I burst out laughing
a man who shaped QATAR AIRWAS with so much passion & dedication wont leave at such a short notice unless something went wrong internally
maybe it is part of the Airbus settlement but regardless of the reason QR's standing in the industry will improve.
What the fluff?
I really wish I know what you are smoking.
Tim has a point. When you get fired as a customer by one supplier in a duopoly because you're an enormous pain in the ass, it's bad for business. Now you have only one supplier, who will charge you accordingly!
There are lots of A350s flown by a bunch of airlines, and only Qatar thought the paint issues were a safety problem. Al Baker played his cards poorly in his spat with Airbus, and...
Tim has a point. When you get fired as a customer by one supplier in a duopoly because you're an enormous pain in the ass, it's bad for business. Now you have only one supplier, who will charge you accordingly!
There are lots of A350s flown by a bunch of airlines, and only Qatar thought the paint issues were a safety problem. Al Baker played his cards poorly in his spat with Airbus, and damaged Qatar's standing in the industry. It's not good to be known as an unreasonable belligerent asshole!
For oligopolistic sellers, selling is all about the money. They would still sell to Qatar — even if not liking the man — because better for the seller to keep/gain market share and its toe hold in a big, well-funded buyer than to let it be up in the air for rivals to have a feast.
According to Reuters, the CEO of Hamad Airport Badr Al Meer has just been appointed the new CEO of Qatar Airways.
During his tenure, Qatar's point currency became Avios. Finnair has followed. Perhaps more One World airlines will follow. Imagine if there was a single One World point currency that was transferable among all of the member airlines. And, it all started with him.
Hmm. I worked on the project to establish a single oneworld currency first time around back in the 90s. It didnt fly then and it won't now. AA are the big gorilla and would rightly nevef give up Aadvantage.
Likewise, I doubt Alaska would give up its points currency either. The US credit card partnership market is far too lucrative to move to a joint points currency. US carriers want control over their own points, and don't want to risk dilution by moving to a common currency. Plus Alaska has a bunch of useful non-Oneworld partners.
Harassment claim in 3....2....1.... Whether it's valid is another story.
And, if he has cancer, won't you feel smart for bringing it up.
Wasn't he also in some leadership position at oneworld?
I believe those are termed for like 2 or 4 years, I think that's either coming up soon or just did. Maybe Qantas is the current head if I remember correctly?
I love Al Baker. I actually was able to meet him several times literally RIGHT as the pandemic started. We almost got stuck in Qatar as the world locked down. He walked amongst the people and talked to passengers and tourists at several events and places. He also grew OneWorld more than any other leader. I can't wait for OmanAir, RwandAir, MIAT Mongolian, and many others to come into the fold.
I also heard a few of the senior QR executives will be exited along with Akbar. Notably, Salam Al Shawa (Head of Corporate Communications), Saliya Karunanayake (Head of Cabin Crew), and Thabet Musleh (Head of Qatar Duty Free) All of them are lifetime Akbar groupies and have long perpetuated Al Baker’s fear culture and have a reputation of incompetence and questionable ethics across the industry.
I've also heard similar things about the Head of Commercial, non other than the infamous Thierry Antinori. This Frenchmen has a reputation for shopping around for other women as much as he is constantly searching for other airlines. Can anyone say Mauritius...looks like his next target.
Expat executives using their privileged positions abroad as game to chase skirts around the world? Dominique Strauss, anyone? Just short of that, there is a lot of this that goes on at large MNCs and multilateral institutions.
The new CEO has to improve the plight of senior citizens opting for wheel chairs and ensure quicker availability wheel chairs during long international flights . Recently we had bad experience due to non availability of wheelchairs at Chennai and doha & moreal airports.
Yes. That’s his priority lol. What is it with Indians and wheelchairs ?
Sky high diabetes rates and cardiovascular problems among the group of retirement age Indians who can afford to travel internationally.
And when the tickets are booked by travel agents in India, the travel agents would often put in for wheelchair requests when told the passengers are “elderly”.
Have you seen what the air in Indian cities can do to the nostrils? It’s even worse with the lungs over time.
Between bad air quality, sedentary lifestyles for a variety of reasons, a massive population of retirement age people who do travel abroad, and sky high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases with the large population, this is what should be expected.
A healthy environment and a healthy lifestyle are priceless. And if not...
Have you seen what the air in Indian cities can do to the nostrils? It’s even worse with the lungs over time.
Between bad air quality, sedentary lifestyles for a variety of reasons, a massive population of retirement age people who do travel abroad, and sky high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases with the large population, this is what should be expected.
A healthy environment and a healthy lifestyle are priceless. And if not paying the price for health, this is where things end up — a lot more wheelchair use than would otherwise be the case.
You need to file a complain to Jetway Jesus.
With all the miracle requests from India, he probably ran out of available wheelchairs.
Or maybe it's time to go ask Jetway Vishnu or Shiva instead so Jetway Jesus can go back to heal people in Florida and Las Vegas.
Al Baker become head of Qatar Tourism Authority and head of Hamad airport would become new QR CEO
Well who knows what’s the reality is behind him leaving. Was it all planned for him to get the lifetime achievement award and then step down or he is asked to step down?
Another school of thought is that he is not keeping well and have some health issues.
No matter what the reason is he is done good for the country with the immense power and funds he had at disposal but sadly...
Well who knows what’s the reality is behind him leaving. Was it all planned for him to get the lifetime achievement award and then step down or he is asked to step down?
Another school of thought is that he is not keeping well and have some health issues.
No matter what the reason is he is done good for the country with the immense power and funds he had at disposal but sadly he has also lead a regime of terror due to his micromanagement, dictatorship and many other poor leadership style, amongst his staff and effected many.
I believe Alan Joyce is looking for a job
I doubt Qatar will give Alan's husband a residency permit.
Ha #cruelbutfair
The guy’s an asshole
I will miss how simultaneously hilarious and terrifying he was every time he opened his mouth.
What was his background prior to this role? How on earth do you become an airline CEO at the age of just 34?
He worked at the civil Aviation Directorate and was also a Qatari, that’s what they were looking for with the Job.
A correction is needed, as Al Baker was removed as Chairman of Qatar Tourism on 22 October 2023 and replaced with Saad bin Ali bin Saad Al Kharji. Akbar has nothing to do with Qatar’s tourism as of yesterday — and as of 5 November 2023, he will no longer have any official role in the State of Qatar when he is done as Group CEO of QR.
Word is that the Qatari leadership...
A correction is needed, as Al Baker was removed as Chairman of Qatar Tourism on 22 October 2023 and replaced with Saad bin Ali bin Saad Al Kharji. Akbar has nothing to do with Qatar’s tourism as of yesterday — and as of 5 November 2023, he will no longer have any official role in the State of Qatar when he is done as Group CEO of QR.
Word is that the Qatari leadership grew tired of Akbar’s outdated old-school leadership style and, more so, of his shoot-from-the-hip public persona, which often brought shame on the State of Qatar through his controversial (if not offensive) commentary. The airline has also been vulnerable and exposed to unnecessary global criticism under Al Baker’s leadership due to his overly controlling and fear-instilling leadership style, especially with QR’s cabin crew who are subject to extremely restrictive policies impacting their quality of life (for example, a curfew where crew have to be in their company accommodation from 4-7am every night and will be terminated instantly if they break this policy…one of Akbar’s signature favourites).
Celebrate this man if you wish. But ask anyone on the inside of QR, and they are thrilled he’s leaving.
Source on Akbar being demoted from Tourism Minister role: https://www.diwan.gov.qa/briefing-room/news/general/lg/2023/october/22/lg01?sc_lang=en
A lot of Apple employees hated the late Steve Jobs.
I hardly think any Apple customers hate Steve Jobs.
Celebrate this man if you wish.
The end of an era.
His successor will have big shoes to fill.
Something so sudden for a CEO without any prior rumors usually has an "Oh!" reveal.
Maybe some scandal or health related issue. Possibly politics, but those tend to have some background noise already going around. Especially from a very tenured executive.
Who knows that maybe he is asked to step down. After recently awarded lifetime achievement award and then suddenly asked to step down does indicate there is something not right.
Well he lead a regime of terror amongst his staff which effected mental health, and growth of staff at Qatar airways due to his micromanagement.
With the power and funds at disposal he should have done wonders but sadly it didn’t as he...
Who knows that maybe he is asked to step down. After recently awarded lifetime achievement award and then suddenly asked to step down does indicate there is something not right.
Well he lead a regime of terror amongst his staff which effected mental health, and growth of staff at Qatar airways due to his micromanagement.
With the power and funds at disposal he should have done wonders but sadly it didn’t as he was too engrossed in keeping tab on others life in his organization and enforcing stupid rules to control freedom.
No matter what one thinks of Al Baker, he has been a force in the airline industry. He had led QR to be arguably the best airline in the world. A legend.
There will be a big party in front of the QROC on November 5th
There have been rumors about AAB's health for a while. If so, I sincerely hope that everything is well and wish him nothing but the best for the future.
Love him or hate him, it is impossible to underestimate the impact he has had on world aviation. His shoes will be impossible to fill.
Feel the same way.
He got replaced at Qatar Tourism something like the day before this Qatar Airways news hit. His replacement at QR is to be the COO of DOH airport.
Maybe he threw a fit at being replaced at Qatar Tourism by his junior? I hope it’s not a health or some kind of ethical or legal issue that hit, but his energy level at his age does give me concerns that it may be his health and a cardiac or vascular emergency.