ADVERTISEMENT
NEW DELHI: Qatar Group CEO Akbar Al Baker will step down from his post on November 5, 2013, after leading the airline for 27 years and seeing the airline grow from a fleet of five aircraft in 1996 to 284 today. In his multiple interactions with this reporter, Al Baker had shown a lot of interest in India – taking a stake in ‘close friend’ Rahul Bhatia‘S Indigo to start an airline here. He had also tied up with Tatas to make a joint bid for Air India in 2017-18. However, none of these India plans materialized. Al Baker had studied in India and had very fond memories of Air India on which he traveled as a child during his college years.
Al Baker said in an email to employees on Monday: “After 27 years of service, I am writing to announce that I will be stepping down from the Qatar Airways Group. In 1996, with a fleet of just five aircraft, an unwavering commitment and a loyal and passionate team, together we embarked on a remarkable journey towards aviation excellence. From that first day, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.”
Today, Qatar Airways is among the best airlines in the world when it comes to passenger experience. Al Baker told his employees about the two biggest challenges facing his airlines – something that applies to all airlines worldwide. “Our journey has not only faced extraordinary challenges, but most importantly the financial crisis of 2008 and the global pandemic of 2020. But together we have faced these challenges with courage and resilience, and emerged stronger…”
“We have expanded our modern and fuel-efficient fleet to 248 aircraft, cementing our position as one of the youngest airline fleets in the industry, serving more than 160 destinations worldwide,” he said.
He thanked the employees for creating the brand that Qatar Airways is today. “The success of our company is not just mine; it belongs to each and every one of you – the talented individuals of the Qatar Airways family who have poured their passion, ingenuity and tremendous effort into every project, challenge and triumph we have achieved. experienced together. I look back on the years with enormous pride. You have made not only me but also my beloved country proud. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the trust you have placed in me over the years.”
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead such an exceptional global team, and the honor of a lifetime to serve my country and His Highness the Amir. As I step down from my role as Group Chief Executive on November 5, I do so with full confidence in the extraordinary capabilities of the Qatar Airways family. My successor will be announced by the chairman of the board of directors,” he concludes.
Al Baker said in an email to employees on Monday: “After 27 years of service, I am writing to announce that I will be stepping down from the Qatar Airways Group. In 1996, with a fleet of just five aircraft, an unwavering commitment and a loyal and passionate team, together we embarked on a remarkable journey towards aviation excellence. From that first day, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.”
Today, Qatar Airways is among the best airlines in the world when it comes to passenger experience. Al Baker told his employees about the two biggest challenges facing his airlines – something that applies to all airlines worldwide. “Our journey has not only faced extraordinary challenges, but most importantly the financial crisis of 2008 and the global pandemic of 2020. But together we have faced these challenges with courage and resilience, and emerged stronger…”
“We have expanded our modern and fuel-efficient fleet to 248 aircraft, cementing our position as one of the youngest airline fleets in the industry, serving more than 160 destinations worldwide,” he said.
He thanked the employees for creating the brand that Qatar Airways is today. “The success of our company is not just mine; it belongs to each and every one of you – the talented individuals of the Qatar Airways family who have poured their passion, ingenuity and tremendous effort into every project, challenge and triumph we have achieved. experienced together. I look back on the years with enormous pride. You have made not only me but also my beloved country proud. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the trust you have placed in me over the years.”
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead such an exceptional global team, and the honor of a lifetime to serve my country and His Highness the Amir. As I step down from my role as Group Chief Executive on November 5, I do so with full confidence in the extraordinary capabilities of the Qatar Airways family. My successor will be announced by the chairman of the board of directors,” he concludes.
