Qatar Airways Welcomes Hamad International Airport COO as New CEO
H2 Announcement of Leadership Change
On December 7, 2025, Qatar Airways Group revealed a significant update regarding its leadership.
H2 New CEO Takes Charge
Hamad Ali Al-Khater has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline, effective immediately. He succeeds Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer in this pivotal role.
H2 Transition Remarks
While the airline expressed gratitude to Al-Meer for his contributions, no specific reasons were given for this unexpected leadership transition.
H2 Background of Hamad Ali Al-Khater
Al-Khater previously served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Hamad International Airport in Doha, which functions as Qatar Airways’ primary global hub. Before this, he held several important positions at QatarEnergy, the state-owned oil company formerly known as Qatar Petroleum.
H2 Comparing Tenures
Al-Meer’s time as CEO was notably brief, especially when compared to his predecessor, Akbar Al Baker, who led the airline for an impressive 27 years. During Al Baker’s tenure, from November 1996 to November 2023, Qatar Airways transformed into one of the largest airlines globally.
What are your thoughts on this leadership change at Qatar Airways?
