Qatar Airways appoints Abdulla Ali as COO, Calum Laming as CCO
Both newly created executive positions will report directly to Group Chief Executive Officer Hamad Al-Khater.
QATAR – Qatar Airways Group has restored 85% of its pre-crisis network and announced two new executive appointments, Abdulla Ali as Chief Operating Officer and Calum Laming as Chief Customer Officer, to support its next phase of growth, with a stronger focus on operational excellence and the customer experience.
The recovery milestone coincides with the launch of the airline’s Summer 2026 schedule, featuring more than 140 daily departures from Doha to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The achievement fulfils the Group’s commitment, made earlier this year amid regional disruptions, to restore 85% of its network by mid-June.
To support its long-term strategy, Qatar Airways Group has created two senior leadership roles aligned with three key priorities: enhancing the passenger experience, expanding operations with a modern fleet, and investing in workforce development.
Both newly created executive positions will report directly to Group Chief Executive Officer Hamad Al-Khater.
Chief Operating Officer Role and Appointment
The newly created Chief Operating Officer role oversees the Group’s operational functions within a unified leadership structure, with a focus on improving accountability, operational performance, and safety standards.
Abdulla Ali, a Qatari national, has been appointed to the role after serving as Senior Vice President of Ground Services.
With extensive experience across airlines, airports, and network operations, he is expected to bring a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and leading high-performing teams.
Chief Customer Officer Role and Appointment
Calum Laming, a dual Irish and British national, has been appointed Chief Customer Officer.
He most recently served as Chief Customer Officer at British Airways from 2022 until earlier this year and has previously held senior customer experience leadership roles at Etihad Airways and Air New Zealand.
He is expected to ensure consistency, service excellence, and a seamless journey across every customer touchpoint.
Direct Statement from Leadership
Hamad Al-Khater, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “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.“
Finally, Mr. Ali and Mr. Laming will officially assume their new roles on 1 November 2026.
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