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ON THE SOAPBOX: Akbar Al Baker Chairman of Qatar Airways

Akbar Al-Baker became Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways in 1997. Prior to his appointment he worked at the Civil Aviation Directorate of Qatar.  He  holds a degree in Economics and Commerce.

"Just two weeks ago I was delighted to fulfil a request to address the Aviation Club of the United Kingdom at the splendid London home of the Institute of Directors. 

In fact this is the second time that I have been asked to hold forth to members.  When I first spoke, back in 2004 Qatar Airways operated 33 aircraft.  Today the number is 112 with 200 on order worth more than US$50bn.  Together with its subsidiaries Qatar Airways employs 20,000 staff.  We seem to be attracting invitations.  I was recently voted to join the board of IATA, a great personal honour, and Qatar Airways itself asked by oneworld to become a member.  We must be doing something right.

I would like to think of myself as something of an anglophile.  I was born in Qatar but educated in Bombay (Mumbai) at a British-style boarding school.  People that know me are aware that I only say what I believe in.

London has always been a very important destination for us and we now have five non-stop flights a day to Doha, and the best airport lounge at Heathrow.

I have followed with much interest the debate regarding capacity constraints in the UK.

I see the wheels are in motion once again on the whole South East airport issue with yet another government review underway.  Too much talking will only lead to one thing – compounding the problem, not solving it.

Heathrow is already losing out to European neighbours that have the resource to expand capacity.

And of course in the Gulf we have ample space.  We are already witnessing strong long haul traffic flows between Asia and The Americas by-passing Heathrow.
I won’t mince words, but without solving these problems now, I can only envisage a catastrophic situation for UK Plc.

You have just about managed to retreat from a double dip recession, but the UK cannot afford to dig its own grave and lose out on the tremendous opportunities being presented on a plate.  It is clear that without no immediate investment in an industry that continues to experience demand outstripping supply the inevitability is failure.

The UK Government needs to tackle this head on.

No aviation capacity increase will inevitably lead to further economic hardship with job losses and businesses closing down.

Heathrow is bursting at the seams and, in my opinion, has reached a critical point.  The Government cannot afford to immerse itself in long-winded debate and public enquiries. 

While the proposed Boris Island in Kent is a good idea, this is a project that will potentially take at least 20 years to materialise if the go-ahead is given today.

Can the UK wait 20 years?  During this period we will see airports expanding significantly across the Continent and of course in my region. UK Plc can ill afford this potential massive economic loss.

A third runway at Heathrow is therefore NOT an option, it is a necessity.  The infrastructure is already there.  It only needs reshaping.

The British Government must push through measures to prevent airlines from shifting their operations for the good of the country and to safeguard jobs and livelihoods.

Qatar Airways would love to further increase capacity at Heathrow.

Right now we are bilaterally constrained at Heathrow.  But even if we were able to secure the extra flights, there is the small issue of slots.  Hard to get as you know!

Poor slots mean poor connections both at Heathrow and our Doha hub.  As we prepare to move to a brand new airport next year the opportunities that will present themselves are enormous.

Wider choice of 24-hour flight banks and more travel options.

But to really take full advantage of our new home, we need more services from places like London to cater to the demand.  Heathrow is a magnet that cannot be ignored.

I see the seeds of this Government realising the importance of aviation.  This shift of interest is vital and must be accelerated.  Otherwise it is too late".

AKBAR AL BAKER

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Airbus news

Whilst attention has been focussed on the larger Airbus aircraft over the last couple of weeks with the A350 final assembly line inauguration and Singapore Airlines’ A350 and A380 re-orders, Airbus’ smallest family, the A320, reached two significant milestones.

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Davies Commission

UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced the names of a further five experts of a Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies to examine ways of how the UK’s status as a leading global aviation hub can be maintained.

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KLM and Economy Comfort

Economy Comfort is the rather odd name for a new upgraded European Economy Class introduced by KLM from 1 December. 

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Marble Arch DoubleTree

DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the opening of the seventh London property to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing, upscale, full-service hotel brands.  DoubleTree by Hilton London – Marble Arch, is located in the heart of London, close to the Underground station of the same name, Oxford Street, Edgware Road, Selfridges, Bond Street and Hyde Park.  The hotel offers easy access to fantastic shopping and all the main attractions and business districts of London.

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Ryanair seat reservations

Another cost has been added to travelling with Ryanair with the announcement that it will extend its popular reservation service from four to six rows by adding rows five and 15 on all aircraft which will allow more passengers to hopefully gain their preferred seats on six reserved rows (1, 2, 5, 15, 16 and 17).

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ON TOUR: North Wales

North Wales is a long way from London (but not so far from Manchester and other points in the north).  Llandudno is arguably the capital and 250 miles from Marble Arch.  The M1, M6 and M54 make for easy going at first and a dual carriageway follows until Wrexham and then it gets worse and worse along hilly single lane roads.  But at least the scenery is magnificent.  An alternative southern route takes you through the Snowdonia National Park, simply wonderful views.  Reckon on five hours including a 30-minute stop.

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AND FINALLY: Tina Turner rejected

It seems that the pigeons and crows at Gloucester Cheltenham Airport are not that keen on singing star Tina Turner.  In a bid to keep the wild life off the runway as aircraft  take off Miss Turner’s recordings are played loudly from the speakers of the runway patrol.  The birds depart very sharpish.  Clearly her warbles are unwelcome with some.

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