Qatar Airways names new group CEO in sudden leadership shift

• December 8, 2025
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Qatar Airways has confirmed a second leadership shake-up in just over two years, appointing Mr Hamad Ali Al-Khater as Group Chief Executive Officer with effect from 7 December 2025.

He replaces Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, whose departure was announced in a brief corporate statement that offered no explanation and stressed the change was taking effect “with immediate effect”.

Al-Khater steps into the role from Hamad International Airport in Doha, where he has served as Chief Operating Officer and played a central part in the airport’s expansion, operational performance and passenger-experience agenda. Under the Qatar Airways Group umbrella, Hamad International has been instrumental in reinforcing Doha’s status as a super-hub, and was named World’s Best Airport in the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards, alongside repeated recognition as Best Airport in the Middle East.

In its announcement, Qatar Airways highlighted continuity rather than change, with Group Chairman His Excellency Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi stating, “Qatar Airways Group extends its appreciation to Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer for his service,” while emphasising that the airline intends to build on its existing global network and brand position.

Al-Meer’s exit is striking given the scale of the projects he set in motion during a relatively short tenure. Since taking over as Group CEO in late 2023, he has overseen the unveiling of the next-generation Qsuite business-class concept, signalling a renewed push at the very top end of the premium market, and fronted a landmark US$96 billion agreement for up to 210 Boeing widebody aircraft – the largest widebody order in Boeing’s history – supported by a record engine deal with GE Aerospace.

Industry reaction to the latest change has been one of surprise. Trade and frequent-flyer commentators have described the move as “abrupt” and “sudden”, pointing to the lack of any transition period and the absence of a statement from Al-Meer as indicators that this was not a routine handover. Several analysts have also noted that this is the second rapid CEO change since the departure of long-serving chief Akbar Al Baker, underlining how closely senior appointments at the airline are intertwined with wider state decision-making.