Beijing, Qatar Airways has announced its chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker has been voted onto the 10-member board of governors of International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA an international body representing the interests of over 240 airlines comprising around 85 per cent of total air traffic. 

During the previous IATA summit in Singapore (held  from 5 to 7 June 2011), Al Baker voiced concerns regarding the structure of IATA, its lack of transparency and questionable auditing processes. He also highlighted the lack of fair and equal representation of airlines from the Middle East on IATA’s board of governors.

Al Baker, speaking in China’s capital city said, “I have been lobbying IATA to be more transparent and have a structure where it speaks on behalf of all airline members and not just for a few.

“The old guard at IATA has gone and I am delighted to have been voted onto the Board of Governors and assure IATA members, both in my region and around the world that I will do my utmost to serve in the interests of the airline industry as a whole.

“I am delighted that IATA, now under a new leadership, has understood my concerns and acted accordingly to reflect the demands for greater transparency and improved membership representation on the IATA board.”