Qatar Airways slams Anthony Albanese over flight block

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker has branded the Albanian government’s decision to reject more flights for the airline as “very unfair” ahead of an upcoming investigation into the call.

Appearing on US network CNN last night, the global aviation boss said he was “very surprised” that the government blocked a number of additional Qatar Airways flights in July and that he had confidence in a Senate inquiry to discover why this happened.

‘We can never influence a government decision, but the fact remains that we were very surprised when we had these flights blocked, or not approved, I can say – there is a parliamentary inquiry and it is very difficult for me to to comment,” said Mr. Al Baker. .

The global aviation boss told the US network CNN last night that he was “very surprised” that the government blocked a number of additional Qatar Airways flights in July and that he had confidence in a Senate investigation to discover why this happened.

Mr Al Baker said Qatar Airways had supported Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic and helped repatriate ‘stranded citizens’ from around the world and out of the country.

“When the national carrier and their partners completely stopped operating in Australia. We were there for the people of Australia,” he said.

Mr Al Baker said he has full confidence in an investigation into the call to reject Qatar’s application, which will start next week.

“We’ll have to wait and see what conclusion they come to,” he said.

Qatar Airways’ response follows weeks of tensions in parliament over Transport Minister Catherine King’s decision to block the airline’s application for 21 additional flights in July.

Mr Al Baker said Qatar Airways had supported Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic and helped repatriate ‘stranded citizens’ from around the world and out of the country

Mrs King has insisted she made the decision in the ‘national interest’ and revealed she informed the Prime Minister ‘before the decision was made public’ on July 18.

Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Mrs King have faced intense criticism from the opposition and independent cross-benches in recent days, with ministers saying they want more details about what influenced the ruling.

The Senate hearings begin on Tuesday and will examine “all federal government decisions relating to bilateral Commonwealth air service agreements” over the past 12 months. A final report is expected in October.

Embattled former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce will appear at hearings, including his successor Vanessa Hudson, along with officials from Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia and regional airline Rex.