Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer took the centre stage at Web Summit Qatar yesterday to provide a peep into how the airline is employing technology to stay ahead of the competition.
“At Qatar Airways, we are always being proactive and looking at new technologies and new ways of having a better experience for our passengers. We plan years and years ahead. And you can see it in so many projects that we have engaged in and have implemented, that we are at least 10 steps ahead of the competitors,” Al Meer said in a fireside chat with Jamila Gandhi, who is Senior Editor at Forbes Middle East.
“We promised to have Starlink internet on Qatar Airways four months ago. And so many passengers are experiencing Starlink connectivity as we speak. So, it’s always about being proactive, trying to understand what are the future technologies, and how to elevate the passenger experience in the next 10, 15, 20 years,” he said.
Al Meer said 50 percent of Qatar Airways’ 777 fleet, almost 30 aircraft, are equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi. “Our plan was to have (Starlink internet on) 50 aircraft by May of this year. I’m sure we will exceed this number. We are continuing to install Starlink on our aircraft. We are working very closely with Boeing and Airbus and Starlink teams.
“We will be the first airline to install Starlink on our 787 Dreamliner and our 350 fleet. So, by the end of this year, inshallah, Starlink will be installed on all our wide bodies.” Asked about the vision behind his ‘Qatar Airways 2.0’ slogan, Al Meer, who took over as CEO in 2023, said, “QR 2.0 is about innovation, connectivity, and people. We need to deliver at least multiple projects to enhance the experience of our passengers on multiple areas and do it in a very short time.”
At Web Summit, the airline is also showcasing how it is employing tech in its operations, including Sama, its AI-powered digital human cabin crew.
“AI is one of the pillars of our new strategy. We are also implementing multiple other projects with regards to AI when it comes to catering, the duty-free, and working online. So we have so many other projects that we are implementing. We are trying to use AI to give a better experience for our passengers.”
He said AI is helping them understand passenger preferences and plan better. It also helps reduce waste and costs.
“AI is going to be implemented to make sure that we are not running out of the preferred meal on board. This is giving a better customer experience. But on the other hand, this is reducing the number of wasted meals on board. This is saving cost for the airline. Again, it is also part of our sustainability focus.”
Asked about key lessons he learned in his career, the CEO said, “One of the most important things that we learn as a team is decisions must be taken collectively between team members. It’s not a one-on-one talk. It’s not a decision that is dictated by one person in the organisation. It’s always better to sit around the table, to put ideas, to argue, to debate, to fight. But by the end of the day, you guarantee that the answer or the solution you will agree on is for the interest of the company.”
