Qatar CEO ignites sexism row after suggesting women can't do his job

The CEO of Qatar Airways has ignited a sexism row after suggesting a woman would not be able to do his job because it is “very challenging”.

When asked at a press conference on Tuesday about female employment across Middle East airlines and then whether his job could be done by a woman, Akbar al-Baker made the following comment: “Of course, it has to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position.”

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He has since apologised. “I would like to offer my heartfelt apologies for any offence caused by my comment yesterday, which runs counter to my track record of expanding the role of women in leadership throughout the Qatar Airways Group and has been sensationalised by the media,” he said.

al-Baker, who has been at the helm of the airline since 1997 added that women comprised 44% of the airline’s workforce and “the dedication, drive and skill they bring to their jobs tells me that no role is too tough for them, at all levels of the organisation”.