Qatar Airways Group announced, on December 7, 2025, a change at its helm.
Hamad Ali Al‑Khater has become the airline’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 7, 2025, replacing Engr. Badr Mohammed Al‑Meer in this role.
While thanking Al-Meer for his service, Qatari flag carrier has not provided any specific reasons have been provided for this rather unexpected management change.
Al‑Khater was until present Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Hamad International Airport in Doha (DOH), which is Qatar Airways’ global hub. Prior to that, Al‑Khater had also held several senior roles at state-owned oil company QatarEnergy (previously known as Qatar Petroleum).
The relatively short tenure of Al‑Meer as CEO of the airline contrasts with that of his predecessor, Akbar Al Baker, who served in that role for 27 years, from November 1996 until November 2023, a period in which Qatar Airways became one of the world’s largest carriers.