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Qatar Airways chief 'apologises' for 'sexist' comment Qatar Airways boss in 'heartfelt apology' for sexist remark
(35 minutes later)
The boss of Qatar Airways has apologised for saying that a woman could not do his job. The boss of Qatar Airways has issued "heartfelt apologies for any offence caused" for saying that a woman could not do his job.
Akbar Al Baker said on Tuesday that the airline had to be led by a man "because it is a very challenging position". Akbar al-Baker said on Tuesday that the airline had to be led by a man "because it is a very challenging position".
He later defended Qatar Airways' record on gender diversity, but that failed to quell the criticism. He later defended Qatar Airways' record on gender diversity, but that failed to quell growing criticism.
On Wednesday, he told Reuters: "I didn't mean it in the way it was meant to be... I apologise for it." In a statement on Wednesday, Mr al-Baker said Qatar Airways fully supported gender equality.
However, Mr al Baker added that his remarks were taken out of context and blown out of proportion by the media. He said his comments on Tuesday were "sensationalised by the media... Qatar Airways is made stronger by its female employees for whom I hold nothing but the highest regard."
His original comments were made at the annual conference in Sydney of the aviation industry's trade body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), only six of whose 280 airline members have female chief executives. The original remarks were made at the annual conference in Sydney of the aviation industry's trade body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), only six of whose 280 airline members have female chief executives.
The remarks were particularly sensitive because gender imbalance in the industry was a theme of the conference, where Mr al Baker officially took over as IATA's chairman. Gender imbalance in the industry was a big theme of the conference, where Mr al-Baker officially took over as IATA's chairman.
Asked at Tuesday's news conference about female employment among Middle East airlines and whether his job could be done by a woman, Mr al Baker said: "Of course it has to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position". Asked at news conference on Tuesday about female employment among Middle East airlines and whether his job could be done by a woman, Mr al Baker said: "Of course it has to be led by a man, because it is a very challenging position".
Controversial pastControversial past
His comment reportedly prompted groans and boos. His comment reportedly prompted groans and boos at the conference, and as the controversy spread, the chief executive issued a statement.
On Wednesday, the airline boss said: "Quite frankly I think the press took it out of context. They - blew it out of proportion. It was just a joke. I didn't mean it in the way it was meant to be... I apologise for it," "I would like to offer my heartfelt apologies for any offence caused by my comment yesterday, which runs counter to my track record of expanding the role of women in leadership throughout the Qatar Airways Group and has been sensationalised by the media."
Mr al Baker has a reputation for making blunt and often humorous comments, but they can also backfire. Women comprise almost half of the airline's workforce, and "the dedication, drive and skill they bring to their jobs tells me that no role is too tough for them, at all levels of the organisation".
In 2017 he apologised after calling US flight attendants "grandmothers" during a trade row with US airlines, prompting an airline union to accuse him of sexism and age discrimination. His statement continued: "Qatar Airways firmly believes in gender equality in the workplace and our airline has been a pioneer in our region in this regard, as the first airline to employ female pilots, as one of the first to train and employ female engineers, and with females represented through to senior vice-president positions within the airline reporting directly to me."
Asked at Wednesday's he truly believed that only a man could do his job, Mr al Baker said, "No, I don't believe that. As a matter of fact (at) Air Italy the majority shareholder has shortlisted women to be the CEO and as a minority shareholder we are actively encouraging that." Mr al-Baker has a reputation for making blunt and often humorous comments, but they can also backfire.
In 2017, he apologised after calling US flight attendants "grandmothers" during a trade row with US airlines, prompting an airline union to accuse him of sexism and age discrimination.
Asked on Wednesday whether he truly believed that only a man could do his job, Mr al-Baker said, "No, I don't believe that. As a matter of fact, [at] Air Italy the majority shareholder has shortlisted women to be the CEO and as a minority shareholder, we are actively encouraging that."