PARIS: French President Francois Hollande presented a Legion of Honour to Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways (QA), during a ceremony in Salon des Ambassadeurs at Elysée Palace.
The award was bestowed on Al Baker for his leadership in the aviation industry and spearheading QA to be a leading global airline.
This is the second honour Al Baker received from France after one awarded by the French Minister of Transport in Qatar in 2002 during World Travel and Tourism Summit.
Officier de la Legion d’Honneur is of higher distinction and builds upon the initial Chevalier Honour by virtue of France.
During the ceremony, the significance of the honour was conveyed, announcing service and commitment Al Baker as an airline group chief executive has had towards the global aviation industry, and to France at large.
Al Baker was praised for his and leadership in spearheading a legacy of collaboration between Airbus and QA, a first for the industry, where there has been a highly intricate level of coordination between design and implementation by the manufacturer and operator.
The high quality product and service delivery presented on each QA flight was recognised for standards and advancements it has made in hospitality, for each of its guests on board. The efficiency of QA’s operations was praised for precision and timely effectiveness.
QA’s contribution to Hamad International Airport was recognised not only for the airline’s benefit but for the public that travels to Doha and beyond.
The long and historic relationship between France and Qatar was noted, particularly as QA has been a long-standing supporter of one of France’s great establishments, the aircraft manufacturing giant Airbus, of which QA is the only airline in the world to fly each Airbus aircraft type in its fleet.
Al Baker said: “France is a country I admire for its ingenuity, grandeur and long legacy of craftsmanship of the highest calibre.
“I humbly accept this honour with immense pride and great appreciation to the people and culture of France in all of their contributions to QA, the national airline of my country.”
Guests at the private ceremony included Qatari ambassador to France Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani, French Ambassador to Qatar Eric Chevallier, French business leaders, the general secretary of the French Presidency, advisers to Hollande and Al Baker’s two sons, Mohammed and Hussain.
The Peninsula
