In a statement from the Qatari airline, Mr. Badr Al Meer, former Director of Operations at Hamad International Airport and CEO who replaced the iconic Akbar Al Baker, at Qatar Airways, promises an era of sustainable growth.
“Qatar Airways is proud to announce that Mr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer has taken up the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Airways Group following the departure of His Excellency Mr. Akbar al Baker, after 27 years of unrivaled service,” begins the November 9 press release. His biography is summarized there. “Mr. Al Meer has forged a distinguished career over two decades of pioneering multi-billion dollar projects in aviation, construction and real estate development, while reflecting the succession planning of the Qatar towards a new generation of leaders. » Since 2014, Mr. Al Meer has held the position of Director of Operations of theHamad International Airportleading key divisions such as MATAR – the Qatari Airport Operations and Management Company, Qatar Duty-Free, Qatar Aviation Services, Qatar Aviation Catering Company, Qatar Distribution Centre, Dhiafatina Hotels, and Qatar Airways Global Real Estate.
“His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker has left an unforgettable mark on this organization, having built Qatar Airways from its inception into the world-class airline it is today – with 241 planes, 43,000 employees and more than 160 destinations worldwide. It was an honor to work under his leadership, and I pay tribute to him as he begins a new chapter.”comments Badr Mohammed Al Meer. “Over the past ten years, I have dedicated my career to evolving the Qatar Airways Group and I look forward to taking our national carrier into a new era, in which a culture of trust and accountability will be the foundation of our common success. In this dynamic and ever-changing travel industry, I plan to invest in the priorities and concerns of my generation, and I will place a renewed emphasis on leveraging emerging technologiesthe development and implementation of sustainable aviation solutionsand the continued improvement of our client experience – while simultaneously maintaining the dynamic growth and the world-class service we have always offered. I am extremely proud of our role as the world’s most welcoming gateway, and I look forward to further strengthening our position as a preferred travel destination. »
During his tenure at Hamad International Airport, Mr. Al Meer ably guided the airport through significant milestones and unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a 10 billion expansion project QAR (2.7 billion USD) and the historic event of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which saw the airport welcome over a million visitors. His leadership was also instrumental in the nomination of Hamad International Airport as a “Best airport in the world” by the prestigious SKYTRAX World Airport Awards (2021 and 2022), as well as “Best Airport in the Middle East” for nine consecutive years by SKYTRAX, the world’s largest annual airport customer satisfaction survey.
Before joining Hamad International Airport, he worked for ten years at the United Development Company (UDC), a Qatari state-owned company and the Gulf state’s leading construction company, where he was promoted to Acting Managing Director. During this period, he oversaw the delivery of UDC’s flagship project, the Pearl Project, a renowned urban development project in Qatar celebrated for its architectural design.
Diploma holder engineer of theAmerican University of Beirut and theUniversity of Colorado, Mr. Al Meer brings to the company a strong educational background and extensive commercial and technical experience in the areas of engineering, construction and large-scale project development. In his new role as Chairman and CEO of the Group, Mr. Al Meer, “With his many accomplishments and expertise in the field of aviation and project management, he is uniquely positioned to lead the Qatar Airways Group into an exciting new era.”
Last week, Qatar Airways Group announced rising profits of $1.026 billion for the first half of the fiscal year, an increase of more than 100% compared to the same period of the previous year. The number of passengers also increased by 22% to reach 19 million, thanks to higher load factors. The company’s profits were supported by the return to service of its fleet ofAirbus A350its partnership with the members of oneworld and other strategic alliances in China, Europe and Oceania.
