Qatar Airways has gained accreditation to the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment programme (IEnvA), becoming the first Middle East airline, and the fifth worldwide, to achieve IEnvA Stage 2.

Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, (left) was presented with the certificate by IATA director general and chief executive Alexandre de Juniac, during Mr Al Baker’s inaugural meeting as the new chair-elect of IATA’s board of governors in Geneva on 1 December.

Qatar Airways’ initiatives include a systematic approach to aviation fuel efficiency, which has cut its fuel use by 1,800 tonnes fuel – for example by optimising drinking water upload and reducing the use of engines while taxing on arrival at Hamad International Airport.