Qatar Airways has added another feather to its cap with the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) bestowing a fellowship on the airline’s chief executive officer Akbar al-Baker.

With this latest achievement, al-Baker now holds the designation of FRAeS - “the highest grade attainable within the Royal Aeronautical Society.”

“RAeS Fellowship is bestowed upon those who, in addition to making an outstanding contribution to the profession of aeronautics, have also attained a position of high responsibility or long experience of high quality in the profession,” the airline said in a statement.

“I am extremely honoured and proud to have been selected to be the recipient of the Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society. To be recognised alongside those who are pioneers in the aviation and aerospace industry is a great privilege,” al-Baker said after receiving his Fellowship certificate from RAeS president Jenny Body.

He added: “Aviation and aerospace are where they are today because of those who turned their visions and dreams into a reality. And I am grateful that my vision for Qatar Airways has become a reality through the hard work and passion of myself and all Qatar Airways staff. I would like to recognise the Royal Aeronautical Society for their outstanding contribution to industry and thank them for this wonderful tribute.”

Al-Baker was nominated by Body and RAeS Chief Executive Simon Luxmoore “based on his outstanding contribution to aviation and his significant impact on the growth of Qatar Airways.”

“The Royal Aeronautical Society is very pleased to recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution to the world of aviation and it was a pleasure to be able to present Mr al-Baker’s Fellowship Certificate in person, on board one of the Qatar Airways fleet of 787 Dreamliners in Singapore,” Body said.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation and currently has orders worth more than $50bn for more than 280 aircraft. The airline flies a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 134 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

As part of its aggressive expansion programme, Qatar Airways will launch routes to eight new destinations this year: Sharjah and Dubai World Central (United Arab Emirates) starting on March 1; Philadelphia (US) April 2; Larnaca (Cyprus) April 29; Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Turkey) May 22; Edinburgh (Scotland) May 28; Miami (US) June 10; and Dallas/Fort Worth (US) from July 1.