The oneworld global airline alliance's Governing Board has named Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, as its Chairman. Mr. Al Baker will succeed Mr. Alan Joyce, Group CEO of Qantas Group, as Chairman of the oneworld Governing Board.

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

His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, said that they have emerged from some of the most challenging times ever faced by the global airline industry, and that they are honoured to have been chosen by their fellow board members to lead the Governing Board for oneworld, an alliance that has continued to grow since COVID-19 emerged, with the addition of two new members in Alaska Airlines and Royal Air Maroc.

“I am also proud to lead an alliance that has set the benchmark for innovation, safety and customer service throughout the pandemic with many members, including Qatar Airways, taking the lead in trialing digital health passports. Qatar Airways has also enhanced bilateral relations with fellow oneworld members in the past 18 months, further demonstrating the strength of the partnerships between member airlines.

“The pivotal role airlines and aviation play in the global economy has never been more evident than this past year, with both passenger and cargo operations in the spotlight, supporting international efforts to protect lives and livelihoods. We have collectively enabled mobilisation of aid, medical supplies and key workers and I would like to pay tribute to all the teams who have worked tirelessly across the oneworld member airlines to support these efforts.
"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."

Mr. Al Baker has been the CEO of Qatar Airways from its start in 1997, making him the longest-serving CEO of a oneworld member airline. Qatar Airways has evolved into one of the world's most prestigious airlines, with plans to serve over 140 destinations by the end of July 2021, thanks to his leadership. In October 2013, Qatar Airways joined the oneworld alliance.

Mr. Al Baker was Chairman of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors from June 2018 to June 2019. He is a well-known person in the worldwide aviation sector. Since 2012, he has been a member of the IATA Board of Governors. He is also a non-executive director of Heathrow Airport Holdings and a member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation. He is also the Secretary-General of the Qatar National Tourism Council.

The CEOs of 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, as well as Qatar Airways, make up the oneworld Governing Board.

As passengers board Qatar Airways flights, they can rest certain that they are flying with the world's only airline that has earned four 5-Star Skytrax ratings, including the prestigious 5-Star Airline Rating, 5-Star Airport Rating, 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating, and 5-Star COVID-19 AiR.

Qatar Airways, a multi-award-winning airline, was voted "World's Best Airline" at the 2019 World Airline Awards, which are organised by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. In acknowledgment of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite, it was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,' ‘World's Best Business Class,' and ‘Best Business Class Seat.' Qsuite is accessible on more than 40 flights, including those to Casablanca, New York, Paris, and Singapore.