There is still a long way to go in equality between men and women: Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways and the new IATA board chairman?, has once again proven. At a press conference he stated that no woman could ever do his job as CEO.
“Of course it has to be led by a man, because it is a very challenging position“, he said during the press conference in Sydney. His comment was received by groans from the audience.
Later on the press event Al Baker came back to his statement by saying that he “was only referring to one individual” and that he “was not referring to the (Qatar Airways) staff in general“.
It is not the first time that Al Baker makes a stupid comment, last year he called U.S. flight attendants grandmothers and stated that U.S. carriers were crap airlines.
The audible gasp from the crowd as @qatarairways GCEO and @IATA Chairman Akbar Al Baker "jokes" only a man can be a CEO is amazing. Listen for yourself. @Qantas CEO Alan Joyce cutting him off was both good and bad, I suppose. #IATAAGM #iawa @WomenInAviation @WomenOfAviation pic.twitter.com/rrrFND3G5E
— Seth Miller (@WandrMe) June 5, 2018
On 6 June, Al Baker apologized for his offensive comment: “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.”
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
