Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker has been unanimously nominated to serve on the influential board of governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Al Baker was given the vote of confidence by the general assembly of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) – a 27-member Arab regional aviation body – at its annual general meeting held in Abu Dhabi.

IATA serves the interests of more than 230 airlines globally – representing over 90 per cent of the world’s air transport – with Qatar Airways a member of the international body.

The board of governors is made up of a select-few airline bosses representing different parts of the world. 

Al Baker, who was recently elected to the AACO executive committee, said: “I am delighted that AACO sees fit to nominate me to serve on the IATA board.

“This nomination will help further push the cause of AACO members on the global stage. 

“With the formidable rise of air passenger traffic to and from the Middle East, the region’s carriers are becoming increasingly influential in global aviation, so I look forward to being a voice on the IATA board, if my nomination is confirmed by the IATA general assembly.”

His nomination has to be ratified by IATA’s general assembly at its annual general meeting in Beijing next June.

Al Baker has been at the helm of Qatar Airways as chief executive since its launch in 1997 and has since steered the Doha-based airline into an award-winning global carrier serving over 100 destinations with a modern fleet of more than 100 aircraft.