Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker presented with RAeS Fellowship

Above: Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, left, being presented with Fellowship from Royal Aeronautical Society President Jenny Body OBE FRAes.

RAeS Fellowship is bestowed upon those who, in addition to making an outstanding contribution to the profession of aeronautics, have also attained a position of high responsibility or long experience of high quality in the profession. Achieving Fellowship – and, with it, the designation of FRAeS - is the highest grade attainable within the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Mr Akbar Al Baker, who was presented with his Fellowship certificate by the RAeS President, Jenny Body OBE FRAeS, said: “I am extremely honoured and proud to have been selected to be the recipient of Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society. To be recognised alongside those who are pioneers in the aviation and aerospace industry is a great privilege.

“Aviation and aerospace are where it is at today because of those who turned their visions and dreams into a reality. And I am grateful that my vision for Qatar Airways has become a reality through the hard work and passion of myself and all Qatar Airways staff. I would like to recognise the Royal Aeronautical Society for their outstanding contribution to industry and thank them for this wonderful tribute.”

Both Ms Body and the RAeS Chief Executive, Mr Simon Luxmoore, nominated Mr Al Baker based on his outstanding contribution to aviation and his significant impact on the growth of Qatar Airways.

Jenny Body added: “The Royal Aeronautical Society is very pleased to recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution to the world of Aviation and it was a pleasure to be able to present Mr Al Baker’s Fellowship Certificate in person, on board one of the Qatar Airways fleet of 787 Dreamliners in Singapore.”

The RAeS, established in 1866, is dedicated to promoting the highest professional standards in all aerospace disciplines; providing specialist information; acting as a central forum for the exchange of ideas; and playing a lead role in influencing opinion on aerospace matters. The RAeS is the only professional body dedicated to the entire aerospace community worldwide.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation and currently has orders worth more than US $50 billion for more than 280 aircraft. The airline flies a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 134 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

As part of its aggressive expansion programme, Qatar Airways will launch routes to eight new destinations during 2014: Sharjah (UAE) from 1 March; Dubai World Central (UAE) from 1 March; Philadelphia (USA) from 2 April; Larnaca (Cyprus) from 29 April; Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Turkey) from May 22; Edinburgh (Scotland) from May 28; Miami (USA) from June 10 and Dallas/Fort Worth (USA) from 1 July.