Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Governors (BoG) of prestigious global aviation industry body International Air Transport Association (IATA), effective June 2018.

The rotating one-year term will commence at the end of IATA’s 2018 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Sydney and will continue until the end of its 2019 AGM.

H.E. Mr. Al Baker will succeed current IATA BoG Chairman Mr. Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Airlines.

IATA represents some 275 airlines comprising 83 per cent of global air traffic. The election of H.E. Mr. Al Baker to this prestigious post is a clear recognition of the leading role that he plays in a dynamic and highly competitive industry.

H.E. Mr. Al Baker is one of the most recognisable figures in international aviation. His vision and commitment enabled the development of Qatar Airways from a small regional carrier into a major global airline in a span of just 20 years.

Under his leadership, Qatar Airways has become one of the world’s most highly-respected airlines, competing on a scale very few airlines achieve.

Passengers have recognised the airline’s commitment to the values of safety, security, innovation and quality of service by awarding it the Skytrax Airline of the Year 2017, the fourth time it has received this award.