This man does not speak for the airline industry.

Mr. Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways, has conducted himself in a boorish manner for many years. However, his behavior at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Australia reaches a new low by expressing pure contempt for women. He offered the following assessment regarding leadership of an airline, "of course it has to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position." Fortunately, he was immediately booed by many of those in attendance. To add insult to his insult, he pushed back in a subsequent press statement blaming the media for "sensationalizing" his attempt at a "joke." This all comes from the man who was just chosen as the Chairman of the IATA Board.

Click the link below and watch his comments in the video and judge for yourself. His delivery is completely serious and he seems perplexed when the audience takes him to task for degrading the abilities of women. What is most painful however, is watching the other men on the dais. Mr. de Juniac, the Director General of IATA, can be seen holding back laughter. Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas, provides quick cover by treating the comments as a "oh kids say the darnedest things" moment. Mr. Al Baker has proven over many years he believes the rules don't apply to him. But these two aviation leaders certainly should know better. It was just another moment that confirms what women all over the world suspect - - you are not welcome in the executive suite at an airline.

I hope the Board of IATA displays a modicum of courage and dismisses Mr. Al Baker from his role as Chairman. This behavior has no place in the airline industry of today; the old boy's club must be buried. As for Mr. de Juniac and Mr. Joyce - I think you owe the women of our industry an apology for your enabling behavior.

Sincerely,

Jay Sorensen

Click here to view the news video