Qatar Airways criticises IATA over lack of transparency

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker criticised IATA for a lack of transparency in its processes, accusing the association of appearing to be "run for the few, by the few" (Arab News, 08-Jun-2011). The comments were made at the IATA AGM. Mr Al-Baker specifically questioned the auditing process for IATA's 2010 financial statement, the nomination of Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan to the new position on the association's board and IATA's spending on travel, data processing and IT and outsourcing and consultancy. He stated that Middle East airlines should have been consulted over the expansion of the composition of the IATA board to include a regional representative and regional appointments should be coordinated by regional airlines.