Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker has issued a statement apologising for his recent remarks which compared Qatar Airways cabin crew with cabin crew on US carriers.

"I should like to apologise unreservedly to those offended by my recent remarks which compared Qatar Airways cabin crew with cabin crew on US carriers," he said in a statement.

"The remarks were made informally at a private gala dinner, following comments about the Qatar Airways cabin service, and were in no way intended to cause offence. This is a time of strong rivalry between our airline and the US carriers, and we are of course immensely proud of our own cabin crew.

"However, cabin crew are the public face of all airlines, and I greatly respect their hard work and professionalism. They play a huge role in the safety and comfort of passengers, irrespective of their age or gender or familial status. I have worked for many years in the industry, and I have a high regard for the value that I see long-serving staff members bringing through their experience and dedication," he said.

The apology follows reports that claimed the Qatar Airways chief said the flight attendants of American carriers were all “grandmothers” during a launch event last week to celebrate a new flight route between Doha and Dublin. This resulted in an outcry in the US against the alleged comments. - TradeArabia News Service