Qatar Airways names Hamad Al-Khater as new CEO / Image: QatarAirways

Qatar Airways Group announced that Hamad Ali Al-Khater has been appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, effective Sunday, 7 December 2025. The appointment was published in a short corporate statement and posted on the airline’s official channels; it replaced Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, who led the carrier from October 2023.

Who is Hamad Ali Al-Khater?

Hamad Ali Al-Khater began his professional journey in the energy sector. Before entering aviation, he worked at QatarEnergy, where he held senior roles focusing on business development, deal execution and large-scale strategic operations.According to his public profile, Al-Khater holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a specialization in business administration and marketing from the University of Kent. This early grounding in business, energy, and commercial strategy gave him exposure to high-stakes projects and complex management, skills that would later serve him well in airport and airline operations.

Hamad International Airport to global acclaim

Al-Khater made the leap from energy to aviation when he joined Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha. There, he rose to become Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, he was responsible for the airport’s day-to-day operations: ensuring safety and reliability of airport functions, overseeing infrastructure expansion, and enhancing passenger experience, from terminal services to strategic planning. Under his stewardship, the airport maintained its reputation for operational excellence, a critical pillar for a global hub like Doha’s.His background at HIA combines technical operations, large-scale management and customer-centric service planning, a unique mix that positions him as a leader able to navigate both logistical and commercial aspects of aviation.

Why did Qatar Airways choose him?

On 7 December 2025, Qatar Airways announced that Hamad Ali Al-Khater would become its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He succeeds Badr Mohammed Al‑Meer. The airline’s board, chaired by Saad Sherida Al‑Kaabi, expressed confidence in Al-Khater’s abilities and said they looked forward to building on Qatar Airways’ existing global network and reputation, anchored by the airline’s experienced team both in Qatar and worldwide. The handover comes amid rapid changes in leadership in recent years. The predecessor before Al-Meer, Akbar Al Baker, led the airline for nearly three decades until late 2023. Given this backdrop, Al-Khater’s takeover signals a blend of continuity and transformation, continuity through institutional memory and experience at HIA, and potential transformation through fresh perspectives rooted in his corporate and infrastructure background.

What to expect from Al-Khater?

His dual background in energy-sector strategic management and airport operations suggests he might steer Qatar Airways with a strong focus on operational reliability, infrastructure integration, and customer service enhancement.Specifically:

At a time when global aviation faces tough competition and rising expectations, his leadership may help Qatar Airways balance global expansion, efficiency and premium service standards.Al-Khater’s appointment could mark the beginning of an era where airline and airport operations become more tightly integrated, services more refined, and global ambitions balanced with operational discipline.For passengers, partners and the aviation industry alike, all eyes are now on how this new leader shapes the future of one of the world’s most celebrated carriers.