Senior Vice President Qatar Duty Free

Mr Keith Hunter joined Qatar Airways in October 2008 as the Senior Vice President of their Duty Free business in the Doha International Airport. Keith is also responsible for the onboard Duty Free business of Qatar Airways, one of the fastest growing airlines and operating one of the youngest fleets in the world.

Currently with a growing fleet of over 100 aircrafts and with more than 220 aircrafts on order worth US$ 40 billion, Qatar Airways flies to over 100 destinations worldwide and has been recently awarded the “Airline Of the Year” by SkyTrax. Qatar Duty Free is a subsidiary company of Qatar Airways and operates in the Arrivals, Departures, VIP and Premium Terminal of Doha International Airport along with an outlet at Doha Sea Port. With over 2500 sq m. of Retail space allocated to its operations, Qatar Duty Free is now the second largest Duty Free operation in the Middle East. Keith is already working intensively on the New Doha International Airport, a US$ 14.5 Billion project scheduled to open its doors in 2012. Qatar Duty Free will operate out of New Doha International Airport with around 25,000 sqm of retail space.

Prior to joining Qatar Airways in 2008, Keith was the retail consultant for Bourne Leisure Group, parent company of Warner Leisure Hotels, Butlins and Haven Caravan Parks, in the UK. Keith specifically focused on retail opportunities within their 12 Warner Leisure Hotels and retail synergies between the 3 companies, including centralized purchasing.

Keith started his Airport Retail career in 2002, when he joined Alpha Airports group as the Regional Manager of their multiple award winning Glorious Britain Gift and Souvenir stores in Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports. In 2005, Keith was appointed Regional Manager for the South of England retail operations, covering multiple businesses in Tax and Duty Free, CTN, Fashion, Gifting, and Food & Beverage. His time in Alpha was spent introducing new concept brands, working on design and re-branding of all retail stores, contract management with Airport Authorities, general operations, recruitment strategy, retention and development initiatives, and IT development and implementation.