TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

LONDON QATAR Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar al Baker has been honoured with an Airline Business accolade for leadership at the annual Airline Strategy Awards held in London.

Al Baker was recognised by the editorial team of the highly acclaimed UK-based aviation industry magazine for his leadership and strategy in developing the Doha-based airline from a small fledgling carrier to a global network business.

He has been instrumental in guiding Qatar Airways to becoming a powerful airline in Middle East aviation and a leading international force since being appointed CEO in 1997 at the time of the carrier’s re-launch.

Al Baker has shaped Qatar Airways into an award-winning global airline rated among the world’s best.

He was presented with his award by Max Kingsley- Jones, Editor of “Airline Business” at an august gathering of over 300 guests, many of them leading international aerospace industry figures.

While accepting the award, al Baker paid tribute to employees of Qatar Airways for helping to make the airline the success it is today by leading the way in service and standards within a highly competitive global industry.

“Qatar Airways has come a long way in just 15 short years and it is an honour to accept this award and be recognised by the prestigious magazine Airline Business is read by true aviation professionals the world over,” said al Baker.

“I believe we have made huge strides in a highly competitive aviation world to become one of the best airlines and it is, therefore, a privilege to be honoured in front of such distinguished guests this evening.

“We are today the second largest airline in the Middle East in terms of passenger numbers and one of the world’s fastest growing airlines coming a long way over the past 15 years.

“This recognition clearly demonstrates our ability to prove to the global marketplace that Qatar Airways can successfully compete in the international arena. There is no better place than to be here during the Farnborough Air Show week where Qatar Airways is showcasing its first new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, raising the bar in luxury travel which other airlines are only trying to copy.” “Airline Business” Editor Max Kingsley-Jones said: “The airline industry is prone to constant threats – be they economic, political, or operational – and only those carriers exhibiting strong leadership will be equipped to prosper.

“Al Baker is a shining example of an exemplary leader with focus on the job in hand; a leader who is not shy of speaking out his mind while negotiating with manufacturers for new aircraft. He has transformed Qatar Airways from a small regional player into a global network carrier to rival the best in the world.

“The Airline Strategy Awards, which are now in their second decade, have consistently recognised high achievers in boardroom leadership – and we are delighted al Baker is the recipient of this year’s Airline Business award.” The Airline Strategy Awards are a unique set of industry awards launched by “Airline Business” in order to recognise excellence in boardroom leadership.

Designed to recognise the crucial role that management plays in shaping future success, they are open to any senior executives or airline teams that have demonstrated excellence over the last year in setting out strategy in their area and seeing it through to success.