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It's not the first time that the Qatar Airways boss has sparked controversy. Last year, Mr Baker was forced to apologise "unreservedly" for his unflattering description of US flight attendants as "grandmothers". In contrast, he had said the average age of Qatar Airways cabin crews was 26 in comments criticised as both sexist and ageist.

He said Qatar Airways was the first carrier in the Middle East to have female pilots and that the company had women in senior roles. "So we actually encourage women. We see that they have huge potential in doing senior management positions," he said. Mr Baker also said that he would welcome a female leader, providing he could train her up. "It will be my pleasure to have a female CEO candidate I could then develop to become CEO after me," he told Bloomberg.

Akbar Al Baker, International Air Transport Association chair and chief executive of Qatar Airways, said his job could only be done by a man. "Of course it has to be led by a man, because it is a very challenging position," Mr Baker said. He made the comment at IATA's annual meeting, where improving diversity at airlines was a big theme. The comments reportedly drew groans and gasps from those present, and Mr Baker later appeared to try to clarify his comments.

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