The controversial figure is drawing flak for saying that women would not be able to do his job
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Qatar Airways CEO apologised for his controversial comment that his job “could not be done by a woman”.
Speaking about his role at the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s meeting, Akbar Al Baker told reporters that, “of course it has to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position”.
Al Baker said his remarks at the annual global airlines meeting was just a joke and had been taken out of context.
He then defended his position by stating how 44% of Qatar’s staff are female, some holding senior roles. His remarks were highly criticised on social media.
Gender diversity was a point of contention at the IATA meeting, as only six out of 280 of its member airlines have female CEOs.
Al Baker is known as one of the most outspoken and controversial figures in the industry, according to Reuters. He has sharply criticised rival airlines and has also drawn flak for insensitive and disrespectful comments.
In 2017, he apologised after calling US flight attendants “grandmothers” during a trade row with a US airline company. He was then accused of sexism and age discrimination.
In 2014, he defended policies for pregnancy and marriage for cabin crew after receiving criticism over working conditions for female staff in the conservative state of Qatar.
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At Wednesday’s aviation conference in Sydney, he was asked if he believed that only a man could do his job.
“No, I don’t believe that. As a matter of fact Air Italy the majority shareholder has shortlisted women to be CEO and as minority shareholder we are actively encouraging that,” he said.
Sharing his input on the industry’s prevalent issue gender imbalance at the conference, British Airways owner Willie Walsh said the industry has a long way to go still.
“If you look at the board it is predominantly middle-aged white men from Europe,” he said, referring to IATA’s board which only has two females on its 31-person board.
“We have more diversity on the board now than we have had for a long time and we have to strive to improve the situation.”