(Posted 09th November 2023)
Qatar Airways announced that Eng. Badr Al Meer has assumed the role of Group Chief Executive Officer at Qatar Airways Group following the retirement of H.E. Mr. Akbar al Baker after 27 years of unparalleled service.
Eng. Al Meer’s career has been forged over two decades pioneering multi-billion-dollar aviation, construction, and real estate development projects, while also reflecting Qatar’s succession planning towards a new generation of leaders.
Since 2014, Eng. Al Meer has served as Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, leading critical divisions such as MATAR – the Qatar Company for Airports Operation and Management, Qatar Duty-Free, Qatar Aviation Services, Qatar Aviation Catering Company, Qatar Distribution Centre, Dhiafatina Hotels, and Qatar Airways Global Real Estate.
“Mr. Akbar Al Baker has left an indelible mark on this organization, having built Qatar Airways from the ground up into to the world class airline it is today – with 241 aircraft, 43,000 employees and over 160 worldwide destinations. It has been an honor to serve under his guidance, and I pay tribute to him as he heads into a new chapter,” said Al Meer before adding:
“For the past 10 years, I have dedicated my career to making an impact at Qatar Airways Group and am looking forward to leading our national carrier into a new era – one in which a culture of trust and empowerment will be the building blocks of our shared success. In today’s dynamic and constantly evolving travel industry, I plan to invest in the priorities and concerns of my generation, and will place a renewed focus on harnessing emerging technology, developing and implementing sustainable aviation solutions, and further improving our customer experience – while simultaneously continuing the aggressive growth and world-class service we have always offered. I take immense pride in our role as the most welcoming gateway to the world – and look forward to further enhancing our position as a favored travel destination.”
During his tenure at Hamad International Airport, Eng. Al Meer adeptly guided the airport through major milestones and unprecedented challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, a 10 billion QAR ($2.7 billion USD) expansion project, and the historic FIFA World Cup 2022 – which saw the airport welcome more than a million visitors.
His leadership has also played an instrumental role in Hamad International Airport being named “World’s Best Airport” 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 largest annual global airport customer satisfactory survey in the world.
Prior to joining Hamad International Airport, he spent a decade with the United Development Company (UDC), a Qatari public shareholding company and the Gulf state’s leading construction firm, ultimately rising to the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer. During this time, he oversaw the delivery of UDC’s flagship endeavor, the Pearl Project, a renowned urban development project in Qatar celebrated for its architectural design.
With engineering degrees from the American University of Beirut and the University of Colorado, Eng. Al Meer brings to the role a solid educational foundation and a wealth of business insight and technical expertise in engineering, construction, and large-scale project development.
In his new role as Group CEO, Eng. Al Meer’s track record of successful projects and expertise in aviation and project management uniquely positions him to lead Qatar Airways Group into an exciting new era.
Last week, Qatar Airways Group reported soaring profits of $1.026 billion for the first half of the fiscal year, an increase of over 100% compared to the same period last year. Passenger levels also witnessed growth, increasing by 22% to 19 million, due to higher load factors. The airline’s profit’s were supported by the return to service of its Airbus A350 fleet, its partnership with oneworld members, and other strategic alliances across China, Europe and Australasia.
