Ex-Qatar Airways CEO Warns of ‘Very Turbulent’ Years Ahead

Just when airlines thought it was safe to grow again, Akbar Al Baker offers a different forecast: turbulent trade wars and a supply chain hijacked by global conflict. Seatbelts, it seems, should remain fastened.

The former chief executive of Qatar Airways has issued a stark warning to the global airline industry. Akbar Al Baker predicts that renewed geopolitical tensions, supply chain shortages, and rising defense spending will hit the sector over the coming years.

Speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in Athens, attended by Skift, he warned of multiple developing threats.

“The industry – in my opinion – is going to have a very turbulent several years,” Al Baker said. “One, of course, because of the trade conflicts that are going to happen between countries.”

In recent months, the Trump administration has adopted a more aggressive “America First” approach to international trade. These tariff-driven policies have upend