AKBAR AL BAKER
Winning the world's best airline award for a record five times is no mean feat, but it sure is a testament to the commitment, drive, and perseverance of Qatar Airways' staff.
BIOGRAPHY
Akbar Al Baker is CEO of Qatar Airways and one of the most recognizable figures in the global aviation industry. His vision and commitment enabled the ground-breaking development of Qatar Airways from a small regional carrier into one of the world's leading global airlines. In 2017, he became the chairman of the board of governors of the International Air Transport Association. Al Baker is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Air Carriers Organization and a non-executive director of Heathrow Airport Holdings. In 2019, he was appointed secretary-general of Qatar's National Tourism Council (NTC).
Qatar Airways recently was recently recognized as the best airline of the year for a record fifth time. What are the reasons behind the growth of the company?
The success of Qatar Airways is down to one reason—our customers are our number-one priority. We take into consideration every detail, no matter how small, in order to deliver a superior passenger experience, and that is why at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards, we were awarded the highest accolade of 'the World's Best Airline,'becoming the only airline in the competition's history to win it five times.
What have been your main areas of focus and milestones in the last few years?
In the last financial year, our fleet continued to make headlines as we acquired 25 new aircraft. As of 30 September 2019, our current fleet comprises 203 passenger aircraft, 24 cargo, and 24 Qatar Executive jets. These additions have enabled us to expand our network, including exciting new passenger destinations such as Davao, Izmir, and Lisbon, along with new all-cargo destinations such as Macau and Almaty. We also continue to set the benchmark in the industry with the unveiling of our new economy class experience at ITB Berlin in March 2019. The new economy class seat—the rollout of which will begin in 2020—will ensure that our passengers arrive at their destinations feeling rested and refreshed. Our new in-flight dining experience 'Quisine' redefines the economy class service with a new retail-style tableware, a more diverse menu, and bigger portion sizes. Economy class passengers will also be able to enjoy improved connectivity, including up to 10 times faster broadband, larger screens, 19-degree recline system, additional legroom, dual trays, 13.3-inch, 4K widescreens, and a new fast-charging USB port.
Hamad International Airport was ranked as the fourt-best airport in the world at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2019. What is your opinion of Qatar's potential as a regional aviation hub?
At the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2019, HIA moved up in its ranking to become the fourth-best airport in the world while maintaining its five-star status as the best airport in the Middle East for the fifth consecutive year and best staff service in the Middle East for the fourth consecutive year. Since beginning operations in May 2014, HIA has served over 175 million passengers, establishing itself as a major global air transport hub. Between April 2018 and March 2019, the airport served 34,938,250 passengers from 163 destinations. HIA has also started the second phase of its terminal expansion plans to accommodate 53 million passengers annually by 2022. Plans are in place for the construction of an airport city, which will provide significant future investment opportunities, including a free trade zone, an office and business complex, and hotels. HIA will also see the construction of a new cargo terminal to help accommodate the expected surge in freight traffic.
What will be the role of Qatar Airways in ensuring that Qatar has the capacity to manage the influx of arrivals with the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Our state-of-the-art fleet continues to be one of the youngest and most modern in the industry. We receive a new aircraft on average every 13.5 days, enabling us to continue our aggressive route expansion strategy and provide our passengers with increased connectivity across the globe. This aggressive growth will ensure we have the capacity available to bring people from all over the world to celebrate the World Cup.
What is the aggressive growth plan of Qatar Airways for 2019-2020 based on?
Qatar Airways is still a young airline; however, the achievements we have made in this short time frame are a tribute to the commitment, drive, and perseverance of our staff and nation. I am optimistic that our growth will continue and that we will serve even more countries around the world. Gaborone, Botswana, Luanda, Angola, and Osaka will soon be added to our network.
AKBAR AL BAKER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
read articleInterview
Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
read articleInterview
Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
read articleInterview
Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
read articleInterview
Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
read articleInterview
Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
read articleInterview
Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
read articleFocus
A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
read articleInterview
Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
read article
