Akbar Al Baker Appointed Chairman of oneworld Global Airline Alliance

The Governing Board of the oneworld global airline alliance has appointed Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, as Chairman.

As Chairman of the oneworld Governing Board, Mr. Al Baker will oversee the alliance’s governance, chair oneworld’s Governing Board meetings and work closely with oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and the alliance’s management team.

Mr. Al Baker succeeds current oneworld Governing Board Chairman Mr. Alan Joyce, Group CEO of Qantas Group, who has held the position since 2018.

“As we emerge from some of the most challenging times ever facing the global airline industry, I am honoured to be chosen by my fellow board members to lead the Governing Board for oneworld, an alliance that has continued to expand since COVID19 emerged, with the addition of two new members in Alaska Airlines and Royal Air Maroc," said Mr. Akbar Al Baker. "I look forward to serving as Chairman of the Governing Board and working with our alliance partners, oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and the oneworld team to provide more global connectivity, a seamless travel experience and more valuable loyalty offerings for our passengers."

Having led Qatar Airways since its launch in 1997, Mr. Al Baker is the longest-serving CEO of a oneworld member airline.

An influential figure in the global aviation industry, Mr. Al Baker served as Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors from June 2018 to June 2019. He has served on IATA’s Board of Governors since 2012. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation and a non-executive Director of Heathrow Airport Holdings. In addition, he serves as Secretary-General of Qatar National Tourism Council.

The oneworld Governing Board comprises the CEOs of all the alliance’s member airlines – Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, alongside Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways became a member of oneworld in October 2013.

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