Qatar Airways CEO is officially one of the most powerful men in the airline industry

He was elected to chair the board of the IATA.

The CEO of Qatar Airways has been elected to chair the board of one of the world’s largest airline trade bodies.  

Akbar Al Baker was elected this week to lead the board of governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). He will officially start the role as of June 2018, according to Doha News.

Al Baker said he was "honored" to be chosen to lead the trade body by his fellow board members.

Akbar Al Baker
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker Source: WikiMedia

"For more than two decades I have lived and breathed aviation, and I look forward to working alongside the Board of Governors to champion passenger rights and improve security standards across the industry, as well as continuing to promote the rights of freedom of flight for all," Al Baker said in a statement.

Representing 275 airlines, IATA members comprise over 80 percent of global air traffic. According to Qatar Airways, Al Baker's election to head the organization's board demonstrates "the leading role that he plays in a dynamic and highly competitive industry."

The decision will also see Al Baker preside over the CEOs of competitor airlines that he has publicly clashed with, such as American Airlines, EgyptAir and Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Al Baker is seen as absolutely key to the success and rapid development of Qatar Airways, which has gone from a small regional carrier to one of the most internationally renowned airlines in the world in the span of 20 years.

The Qatari CEO will succeed current Chairman Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines.

UAE leads the Arab world in adaptability to change

The UAE came third, just behind two European countries.

According to the latest KPMG report, the UAE has been rated most prepared for change in the MENA region, and third most prepared in the world.

The 2017 Change Readiness Index (CRI) ranked 136 countries and indicates the capability of a country – its government, private and public enterprises, people and wider civil society – to anticipate, prepare for, manage, and respond to a wide range of changes.

Examples of change include shocks such as financial and social instability and natural disasters, political and economic opportunities, and risks such as technology, competition, and changes in government.

Ranked 3rd internationally

The UAE came third, just behind two European countries - Switzerland topped the list and Sweden came second.

The information was collected from 1400 experts and secondary sources such as the World Economic Forum, World Bank International Monetary Fund and United Nations.

Overall results for the Arab world:

  1. UAE (Global ranking 3rd)
  2. Qatar (Global ranking 19th)
  3. Saudi Arabia (Global ranking 26th)
  4. Jordan (Global ranking 38th)
  5. Tunisia (Global ranking 55th)
  6. Morocco (Global ranking 57th)
  7. Iran (Global ranking 90th)
  8. Lebanon (Global ranking 92nd)
  9. Egypt (Global ranking 100th)
  10. Algeria (Global ranking 103rd)
  11. Libya (Global ranking 117th)
  12. Yemen (Global ranking 126th)
  13. Syria (Global ranking 135th)