Qatar Airways Group CEO grieves over purchasing A380s

Doha : On May 26, Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said that the largest passenger aircraft Airbus A380 had no future in its fleet. The status of the Airbus A380 aircraft has been questioned by operators ever since the Covid-19 pandemic plunged the international travel market.
"The biggest mistake we made was the purchase of Airbus A380s," Al Baker said, adding that the double-decker does more damage than benefits both Qatar Airways and the environment. 
"We grounded the A380s simply because it is not a fuel efficient airplane," Al Baker mentioned. 
Qatar Airways had a total of 10 Airbus A380s in its fleet, according to reports. The airline grounded Super Jumbos after the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll on international air travel. 
Furthermore, Qatar Airways CEO said it is heavily relying on more fuel efficient aircraft, such as Airbus A350s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Currently, the air carrier has a total of 53 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and 47 Dreamliners. 
However, while talking about the future of the airline's sustainability plans, Qatar Airways said that it would change its Airbus A350s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners if "Boeing and Airbus introduced new generation aircraft", which would be more fuel efficient with a low emission footprint. 
"Qatar Airways heavily invests in aircraft that have lower emissions. We don't let the average aircraft age exceed 10 years," Al Baker claimed.
Al Baker appointed oneworld's governing board chairman
The governing board of the oneworld global airline alliance has appointed Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker to serve as its chairman. Al Baker will succeed current oneworld Governing Board Chairman Alan Joyce, group CEO of Qantas Group. 
As chairman of the oneworld governing board, Al Baker will oversee the alliance's governance, chair oneworld's governing board meetings and work closely with oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and the alliance's management team.
Al Baker said, "As we emerge from some of the most challenging times ever facing the global airline industry, I am honoured to be chosen by my fellow board members to lead the governing board for oneworld, an alliance that has continued to expand since Covid-19 emerged, with the addition of two new members in Alaska Airlines and Royal Air Maroc. I am also proud to lead an alliance that has set the benchmark for innovation, safety and customer service throughout the pandemic with many members, including Qatar Airways, taking the lead in trialing digital health passports. Qatar Airways has also enhanced bilateral relations with fellow oneworld members in the past 18 months, further demonstrating the strength of the partnerships between member airlines."
Having led Qatar Airways since its launch in 1997, Al Baker is the longest-serving CEO of a oneworld member airline. Under his leadership, Qatar Airways has grown into one of the world's most highly-awarded airlines with an extensive global network, with plans to serve over 140 destinations by end of July 2021. Qatar Airways became a member of oneworld in October 2013.