Akbar Al Baker, the dynamic and sometimes controversial, chief executive of the Qatar Airways Group led the A-list of industry speakers at September’s Aviation Africa Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda.
In a 30-minute fireside chat, sponsored by engine and technology business Rolls-Royce, Al Baker talks to Alan Peaford about key issues affecting his airline, and identifies challenges affecting the growth potential of African airlines and airports.
Qatar's government-to-government agreement with Rwanda gave Qatar Airways a stake in the country’s new international airport and its national carrier Rwandair.
The Qatar chief outlines his ambition for the airline and explains why a hub in Rwanda could prove beneficial to the continent as a whole.
He offers views of training shortages on the continent and defends the Gulf carriers accused of sucking out the talent from Africa with the promise of greater wealth.