Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, who was recently elected as the new chairman of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has called on the global aviation industry to find ways to reduce costs and make sure airlines maintain upward trend in their performance.

At a media event held at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, the venue of IATA’s 74th annual general meeting and the World Air Transport Summit, Al Baker said, “The global trade body would have to collectively face challenges facing the key aviation industry,” according to Gulf Times. 

According to Al Baker, some of IATA’s immediate challenges are human trafficking, making airlines more secure during turbulent times in the global political scene, fighting terrorism and regional conflicts, higher oil price and private airports that strain airlines by levying excessive charges.
“I’m delighted to be here in Sydney and honoured to be leading the IATA Board of Governors as chairman for the year ahead. I’ll make sure I play a very constructive role looking at the best interests of not only the airlines of this great association, but also the people who’ve made this industry so successful,” Al Baker said.

On Gulf Times’ question pertaining to the blockade on Qatar by a quartet of Arab countries, Al Baker said, “I don’t like to get into any political statements (on the issue) as the international community has already made up their mind on what they feel was wrong. 

“However, IATA as an industry leader in aviation, has not taken this subject lightly. I’m sure the director general will continue his efforts to make sure the interests of aviation and airlines are maintained, regardless of the political situation around the world.”

Al Baker is the 77th chair of the IATA BoG and the first CEO from Qatar Airways to hold the position. He has served on the BoG since 2012. He assumed his duties as chairman of the IATA board for a one-year term, effective from June 5. 

Al Baker was named Qatar Airways’ group chief executive in 1997. In this position, he has spearheaded the growth of Qatar Airways from a small regional carrier into a major global airline. He was president of the 70th AGM which was held in Doha in 2014.