Controversial Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker Steps Down After 27 Years

Qatar Airways' CEO Akbar Al Baker to be succeeded by Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, marking an end to a tenure marked by repeated awards for the airline but tarnished by Al Baker's controversial remarks.

Qatar Airways announced that its controversial CEO, Akbar Al Baker, is stepping down after a 27-year tenure, during which he led the airline to win the 'World's Best Airline' title seven times.
Al Baker has been criticized for his controversial comments, such as saying a woman couldn't do his job and claiming US airlines were 'crap' - statements he later apologized for.
Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, who has spent the last nine years as chief operating officer of Hamad International Airport, will succeed Al Baker on November 5.
The airline reported a profit of $1.2 billion last fiscal year, partly boosted by Qatar's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup; despite such success, the revenue is down slightly compared to the $1.5 billion profit of the previous year due to increased operating expenses like jet fuel as air travel resumed after the pandemic.
Al Baker also faced backlash for his defiant stance towards criticism of Qatar's human rights record, particularly with regard to the country's handling of low-paid migrant workers and its stance on LGBTQ+ rights.