Qatar Airways CEO knocks World Cup critics at airport event

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The outspoken CEO of Qatar Airways lashed out Thursday at critics of his country hosting the upcoming FIFA World Cup, saying his nation will “always rub salt into the wound” of its adversaries. Speaking from Qatar's vast Hamad International Airport as officials unveiled an expansion there, Al Baker made a point to note it had taken Skytrax's Best Airport Award from Singapore Changi Airport in the last two years. Later asked about how the airport would transform to handle the influx of World Cup visitors, Al Baker responded: “I do know why this question is being asked because there have always been rumors against the capacity we will be able to handle.” Al Baker, who long has served as Qatar Airways CEO, has made controversial comments in the past, including suggesting that women can't run airlines and for calling American carriers “crap” and that their passengers were “always being served by grandmothers." “We don’t want it to be the biggest hub in the world," Al Baker said, a nod at nearby Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel.