Akbar Al Baker In a year that saw US and European airlines accuse Qatar Airways and its Gulf peers of being unfairly subsidised, the airline’s controversial chief executive was always going to come out swinging. At differ- ent events throughout 2015, he delivered jabs at his American opponents including a press conference at the Paris Air Show where… In a year that saw US and European airlines accuse Qatar Airways and its Gulf peers of being unfairly subsidised, the airline’s controversial chief executive was always going to come out swinging. At differ- ent events throughout 2015, he delivered jabs at his American opponents including a press conference at the Paris Air Show where the company signed contracts for 14 Boeing 777s. “I hope that the gentleman at Delta knows that we are creating even more jobs in the US by buying these planes,” he told reporters. With the addition of Atlanta, Boston and Los Angeles to Qatar Airways’ route map this year, it is clear Al Baker is not going to let allegations of unfair competition impact the airline’s ambitious expansion plans. CEO, Qatar Airways Origin:Qatar Residence:Qatar Sector:Transport