Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar al-Baker has urged India to pursue an open sky policy, which he said will lift the country’s aviation sector high.
“India is a sleeping economic super power. Unfortunately, its potential is not properly utilised,” al-Baker said yesterday.
“Indian politicians put their personal interest above the interest of the nation. Opening up the skies to foreign carriers and Indian carriers to go abroad will only increase the opportunities for Indian businesses, tourism and will result in creating many jobs.
“I have absolute confidence in the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi; he is a very forward looking individual, who has big plans for India. I am sure, in time, people will realise the potential aviation brings to India.
“And a very big example is here - in Qatar. If we did not have Qatar Airways, we would not have had some 30mn passengers in 2014 here. We are also a big contributor to the nation’s GDP.”
Al-Baker said, “All these should convince the Indian politicians that the interests of their country should be above political interests; they should end blocking airlines coming to India. It is time they listen to people who elect them… and generate jobs for them.”


First class only in A380s: airline chief
Qatar Airways will have a first class cabin only in its superjumbo Airbus A380, Group CEO Akbar al-Baker has said.
“Qatar Airways has decided to have only two classes in our aircraft. Super business class is what we are already flying in our aircraft now. And as I said earlier, we always raise the bar for our dear friends around the area to try and copy us,” al-Baker said yesterday. From 2016 onwards, the super business class will be “obsolete,” al-Baker said.
“We are developing a new seat, which will have proprietary rights and this will be a product that will be unrivalled in our industry.
“And when you introduce that product into the aircraft, I don’t think you really need a first class,” he said.