Qatar Airways replaces CEO Badr Al-Meer with Hamad Al-Khater in surprise move
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: Qatar Airways Group has named Hamad Ali Al-Khater as its new group chief executive, succeeding Badr Mohammed Al-Meer in a surprise leadership change effective immediately, the company said in a statement.
Al-Khater was most recently chief operating officer at Hamad International Airport and previously held roles at state-oil company QatarEnergy and other oil and gas firms.
The context: Al-Khater joined the group less than two years ago. His predecessor, Al-Meer, had taken over from Akbar Al Baker, the long-serving former CEO who retired after nearly three decades at the helm.
No explanation was given for Al-Meer’s departure. His tenure included the signing of a USD96 billion agreement for 210 Boeing widebody aircraft, Boeing’s biggest order by value. He also oversaw investments in Virgin Australia and South Africa’s Airlink, and the airline’s exit from Cathay Pacific.
Tensions in the Middle East during Al-Meer’s tenure led to Qatar closing its airspace, stranding tens of thousands of passengers, Bloomberg noted.
Qatar Airways Group chairman Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi thanked Al-Meer and said Al-Khater would build on the airline’s global network and existing foundations
The sources: Qatar Airways, Bloomberg
