Qatar Airways CEO calls Australia decision 'unfair'
CONSUMER NEWS
A recent decision by the Australian government to block a bid by Qatar Airways for extra weekly flights to the country has been criticised by the airline's CEO Akbar Al Baker.
In an interview with CNN, Al Baker called it "very unfair".
He expressed disappointment over the decision, adding that he was “very surprised” when Australian Transport Minister Catherine King rejected the Qatar Airways bid for 21 extra weekly flights to the various points in the country, citing opposition from the country’s flag carrier, Qantas.
The airline currently operates 28 flights to major cities in the country.
“We found it to be very unfair, our legitimate request to be not granted, especially at a time when we were so supportive of Australia,” he said in the interview, adding that the airline supported the country during the Covid-19 pandemic by maintaining its operations to Australia despite many other carrier grounding flights.
Al Baker also added that the airline played a vital role in “repatriating stranded citizens from around the world to and out of Australia, helping them receiving medical supplies and spare parts, et cetera, during the COVID period when the national carrier and their partners completely stopped operating in Australia.”
The Australian government’s decision (announced in July) also drew criticism from the Australian Airports Association and several opposition MPs.
An inquiry into the decision is underway in the Australian Senate, said Reuters.
