Qatar Airways Group reports that it has restored its network to 85% of the level of activity before war broke out in the Middle East, and is now shifting its focus to growth.
The airline had set, and has achieved, the target of rebuilding its network to 85% by mid-June. Qatar Airways launched its summer 2026 schedule this week, with more than 140 daily departures from Doha to over 160 destinations worldwide.
The next focus is on growth, to be driven by delivering a high-quality passenger experience at every touchpoint, developing the next generation of the Qsuite business-class seat, expanding its passenger and cargo network with a modern fleet, and investing in staff development.
Qatar Airways has made two new executive appointments to achieve these goals, with both roles due to begin on 1st November 2026.
Calum Laming, a dual Irish and British national, will become chief customer officer. In this role he will lead the brand and customer touchpoint strategies to ensure consistency, and excellence in the passenger experience.
Laming has previously held senior brand experience roles such as chief customer officer at British Airways (from 2022 until earlier this year), chief customer officer at Vueling Airlines (2017 – 2022), VO of customer experience at Etihad Airways (2014 – 2017), and general manager customer experience at Air New Zealand (2013 – 2014), head of guest experience at Etihad Airways (2007 – 2013), and head of marketing, product & customer experience at Virgin Airways (2003 – 2007).
The second key appointment is Abdulla Ali, a Qatari national, who has been promoted from the position os SVP of ground services, to become chief operating officer (CCO). He will lead the Group’s operational functions, with a focus on accountability, performance and safety standards. Ali has extensive experience across airline, airport and network operations, with a record of delivery and of leading high-performing teams.
Both roles report directly to Group CEO, Hamad Al-Khater, who stated: “These appointments are about what comes next. With Abdulla and Calum joining our leadership team, we will move faster, sharpen our focus on excellence, and put the customer at the heart of every decision we make. They are also about our people, expanding our ability to develop talent and support the growth of our incredible teams.”
