Qatar Airways Group has restored its network to 85 per cent of its pre-crisis capacity and announced the creation of two new executive leadership positions as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The milestone coincides with the launch of the airline’s Summer 2026 schedule, which includes more than 140 daily departures from Doha to over 160 destinations worldwide. According to the airline, the recovery fulfils a target set earlier this year during the period of regional disruption that temporarily affected a significant portion of its network.
To support its long-term growth strategy, Qatar Airways Group has created the roles of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Customer Officer (CCO). Both executives will report directly to Group Chief Executive Officer Hamad Al-Khater.
The appointments are aligned with three strategic priorities: enhancing the passenger experience across every customer touchpoint, expanding the passenger and cargo network with a modern fleet and the next generation of Qsuite, and strengthening talent development, succession planning and workforce capabilities.
The newly created Chief Operating Officer role has been assigned to Abdulla Ali, a Qatari national who has been promoted from his current position as Senior Vice President of Ground Services. In his new role, Ali will oversee the Group’s operational functions with a focus on accountability, operational performance and maintaining the highest safety standards. He brings extensive experience across airline, airport and network operations, along with a strong track record of leading high-performing teams.
The position of Chief Customer Officer will be taken up by Calum Laming, who most recently served as Chief Customer Officer at British Airways from 2022 until earlier this year. Laming has also held senior customer-focused leadership roles at Etihad Airways and Air New Zealand. As CCO, he will be responsible for aligning the airline’s brand and customer touchpoints to deliver a consistent, seamless and customer-centric experience throughout the passenger journey.
Both Abdulla Ali and Calum Laming will assume their new positions on November 1, 2026.
Commenting on the appointments, Hamad Al-Khater, Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “These appointments are about what comes next. With Abdulla and Calum joining our leadership team, we will move faster, sharpen our focus on excellence, and put the customer at the heart of every decision we make. They are also about our people, expanding our ability to develop talent and support the growth of our incredible teams.”
