Qatar Airways CEO expects fuel prices to increase from late 2016, level off in mid 2017

Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker, speaking at a press conference for the launch of Doha-Sydney service, said (03-Mar-2016) he does not expect fuel prices to remain "artificially low." Mr Al Baker expects prices to increase from late 2016 and level off at USD50 to USD60 per barrel by mid-2017. Mr Al Baker claimed current low prices are the result of a "deliberate plan" driven by "political reasons" and said prices below USD60 and above USD100 per barrel are harmful to the world economy.