The chief executive of Qatar Airways has described Transport Minister Catherine King’s move to block the airline’s bid for more flights in Australia as surprising and unfair ahead of a Senate probe into the decision.
In his first public comments on Qatar’s rejected bid since the controversy over competition in aviation embroiled the Albanese government, Akbar Al Baker told CNN this weekend the airline had done a lot for Australia during the pandemic.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker has described Transport Minister Catherine King’s decision as surprising and unfair.Credit: Bloomberg
“But we found it very unfair, our legitimate request not to be granted, especially at a time when we were so supportive of Australia [by] repatriating the stranded citizens from around the world to and out of Australia, helping them receive medical supplies and spare parts, etcetera, etcetera,” Al Baker said.
“During the COVID period when the national carrier and their partners completely stopped operating [in] Australia, we were there for the people of Australia.”
His comments come days before hearings are set to begin in a Senate inquiry into King’s July 10 decision, with Qatar’s ambassador to Australia, Saad Abdulla Al-Mahmoud, and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, among those who have been called to give evidence.
The inquiry’s remit has been expanded to look at the impediments to competition in Australia’s aviation industry as a whole. However, the probe was launched off the backdrop of a controversial period for national carrier Qantas, whose former chief Alan Joyce resigned early amid a consumer watchdog investigation and claims of undue influence over government decisions.
King has repeatedly said her decision was made in the national interest and not in the commercial interests of any one airline, and granting Qatar’s application for 28 additional weekly flights in Australia would’ve set a new precedent.
The minister revealed the strip-searching of a group of Australian women at Doha Airport in October 2020 was a factor in her decision.
She also said it was “absolute nonsense” that competition in Australia’s international aviation market relied solely on Qatar.
On Thursday, King – who has since gone on two weeks’ leave – claimed public interest immunity in withholding documents relating to her decision following an order for production from the Senate.
“As the government has made clear, air services agreements are not commercial arrangements but treaty-level agreements between countries,” King said in the letter to Labor senator and minister Murray Watt, in response to the motion from the Coalition and the Greens.
“The production of documents falling within the scope of these orders would, or might reasonably be expected to, disclose the nature of bilateral relations with Australia’s foreign partners that we have given undertakings to protect.
Asked during the CNN interview whether he was now hopeful the airline would receive permission to increase its Australian flights, Al Baker responded: “I’m always hopeful for the government to listen to our case very carefully, and then make a decision.”
“We know we can never influence a government decision, but the fact remains is that we were very surprised for getting these rights blocked or unapproved,” he said.
“I can say there is a parliamentary inquiry and it is very difficult for me to make any comments, we have full confidence in the government and in the parliament, and in the Senate of the Australian government, so we will have to wait and see what conclusion they get up to.”
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