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Akbar Al Baker has beforehand made controversial feedback
The airline business desires to draw extra girls, however nobody appears to have informed the commerce physique's new chairman.
Akbar Al Baker, International Air Transport Association chair and chief government of Qatar Airways, mentioned his job might solely be completed by a man.
"Of course it has to be led by a man, because it is a very challenging position," Mr Baker mentioned.
He made the remark at IATA's annual assembly, the place enhancing variety at airways was a huge theme.
The feedback reportedly drew groans and gasps from these current, and Mr Baker later appeared to attempt to make clear his feedback.
He mentioned Qatar Airways was the primary provider within the Middle East to have feminine pilots and that the corporate had girls in senior roles.
"So we actually encourage women. We see that they have huge potential in doing senior management positions," he mentioned.
Mr Baker additionally stated that he would welcome a feminine chief, offering he might practice her up.
"It will be my pleasure to have a female CEO candidate I could then develop to become CEO after me," he informed Bloomberg.
It's not the primary time that the Qatar Airways boss has sparked controversy.
Last 12 months, Mr Baker was pressured to apologised "unreservedly" for his unflattering description of US flight attendants as "grandmothers". In distinction, he had mentioned the typical age of Qatar Airways cabin crews was 26 in feedback criticised as each s3xist and ageist.
Gender equality within the notoriously male-dominated airline business was a huge theme on the IATA annual assembly.
Alan Joyce, the homos3xual chief government of Qantas Airways who campaigned for marriage equality in Australia, had sat subsequent to Mr Baker at a session on the subject.
Mr Joyce stated that having a various workforce might assist drive earnings.
"If you get the best talent, the best people, the best jobs you're going to perform better," he additionally mentioned.
Willie Walsh, chief government of British Airways-owner IAG, mentioned the business wanted to draw extra girls and that progress had been gradual.
"Aer Lingus recruited its first female pilot in 1977... It's taken 40 years to get to 10%," he mentioned.