Qatar Airways appoints Hamad Al-Khater as new group CEO
Al-Khater replaces Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, who took over as leader in October 2023 after the retirement of long-time chief Akbar Al Baker.
Hamad Al-Khater
State-owned Qatar Airways announced that it has appointed Hamad Al-Khater as the Group’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from December 7.
The leadership change sees Al-Khater taking the role from Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, who had served in the role since October 2023 following the retirement of the airline's long-standing leader, Akbar Al Baker.
The appointment marks a new chapter for the airline, following a period of transition after Al Baker’s nearly three-decade tenure.
Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Chairman of the Qatar Airways Group Board of Directors said, “As we welcome Hamad Ali Al-Khater, we look forward to building on the strong foundations and expansive global network of Qatar Airways, anchored by our exceptional team in Qatar and around the world.”
He further added, “With this leadership transition, Qatar Airways Group reaffirms its commitment to delivering world-class experiences, reliability, and innovation to travelers around the globe”.
Al-Khater brings extensive operational experience to the role, having most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Hamad International Airport. According to his LinkedIn profile, he also held the position of Vice President of Business Development at the airport, playing a key role in the hub's strategic growth.
Prior to his time in aviation, Al-Khater built a robust career in the energy sector. He spent over eight years at QatarEnergy and held senior roles across various oil and gas firms. His career began in 2009 as an LNG market analyst at Qatar Petroleum. He briefly moved to Shell as a commercial advisor in 2011 before returning to Qatar Petroleum and subsequently joining RasGas in 2013.
Beyond his executive duties, Al-Khater has served as a board member for several prominent organisations, including QatarEnergy Trading, the Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO), Al Koot Insurance & Reinsurance Company, and Nebras Power QSC.
