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Qatar Airways Boss Says Women Can’t Do His Role “Because It Is A Very Challenging Position”
These comments will make you want to bang your head against the wall.
At an annual airline industry event in Sydney, Qatar Airways’ chief executive Akbar Al Baker was asked how the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will tackle the problem of gender inequality in key management positions…
His response?
“Of course, it has to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position.”
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9 Changes To Expect In The UAE In 2025The audience groaned and social media has been up in arms in the wake of the antiquated remarks.
Watch the moment…listen to those groans
Can a woman lead an airline? The CEO of Qatar Airways has sparked outrage with his answer… pic.twitter.com/kk5Ov3SI4v
— DW Business (@dw_business) June 6, 2018
Akbar Al Baker has since apologised
Amid the media uproar, the airline boss issued an apology.
He stated his comments do not equal the company’s record of women in leadership roles, he said it was in jest and that the media sensationalised the event.
“I would like to offer my heartfelt apologies for any offence caused by my comment yesterday, which runs counter to my track record of expanding the role of women in leadership throughout the Qatar Airways Group and has been sensationalised by the media.”
He said the airline supports gender equality.
No one is taking the comments lightly
I hope Qatar Airlines drops this guy smack dab in the middle of a women’s march real soon. https://t.co/8uugCgE21G
— Anna Ruth Williams (@AnnaRuth) June 7, 2018
International press are not holding back
The C.E.O. of Qatar Airways maintains there is no gender inequality in his company. But his role? “Of course it has to be led by a man, because it is a very challenging position.” https://t.co/85KvkUv3We
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) June 5, 2018
A suggestion going forward for the airline boss
Note to self: Ensure brain is engaged before mouth is opened.
— Dan_in_BKK (@Dan_in_BKK) June 5, 2018
It’s not the first time his ‘jests’ have caused controversy
At a conference in Dublin in 2017, speaking to a large audience about the pros of flying with Qatar Airways, he listed ‘lots of legroom” and the fact that “the average age of my cabin crew is only 26 years” as perks.
When the crowd responded with laughs, he continued, “so there is no need for you to travel on these cr*p American carriers”…”You know you’re always being served by grandmothers on American carriers.”
Everyone right now…
Maybe the uproar will force the airline to rethink the male heavy line-up of airline heads
#QatarAirways GCEO, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, has attended the #IATAAGM as the newly-elected Chairman of IATA’s Board of Governors. https://t.co/8bA5EJC86E pic.twitter.com/drU5nWtHk8
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) June 5, 2018
The full apology here…
H.E Mr. Akbar Al Baker: I would like to offer my heartfelt apologies for any offence caused by my comment yesterday, which runs counter to my track record of expanding the role of women in leadership throughout the Qatar Airways Group and has been sensationalised by the media. pic.twitter.com/M07Wczk08B
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) June 5, 2018
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