Qatar has strengthened its resolve in the face of adversity, says Akbar Al Baker

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker has always had the guts to speak his mind without fear.

He recently marked a world first by becoming the first airline leader outside of the European Union to personally address the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), reported Gulf Times.

It provided Al Baker with the opportunity to update the European Parliament and the TRAN committee, including its current chair, Madame Karima Delli MEP, about the ongoing blockade against Qatar by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Al Baker provided a first-hand account of the challenges that Qatar has faced since the start of the coordinated blockade and highlighted howQatar and Qatar Airways have strengthened their resolve in the face of adversity.

He said the blockading countries intended to endanger the economy of Qatar by threatening the livelihood of residents, according to Qatar Tribune.

Al Baker gave behind the scenes details on the shock blockade imposed on Qatar.

He recalled how he was at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) AGM in Cancun when the event unfolded, leading to a 22-hour journey to return home to guide his airline in response to the unprecedented siege. 

“The extreme violations were carried out without provocation and without a mandate from the UN Security Council or any other international body. With 18 air corridors immediately reduced to just two corridors, elaborate measures were necessary to assure safe operations into and out of Qatar,” he said. 

“In the middle of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the normal flow of goods and basic supplies such as medicine, food and water was dangerously interrupted,” he added.

Al Baker condemned the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for what he called a ‘timid and disappointing’ response. He also called on the world to condemn such ‘reckless political manoeuvres that violate fundamental norms of international aviation.’

“As the country approaches the end of one year under the imposed blockade, Qatar Airways has become a strategic pillar to ensure food security in our country,” he said.