Qatar : Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, hosted a media roundtable with global media to discuss the airline’s rapid expansion plans during Qatar’s annual Doha Forum conference at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel on 16 December 2018. The award-winning airline has launched 23 destinations since the start of the blockade, and continues with its significant programme of expansion of new routes to further connect passengers around the globe.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: ‘One of the advantages Qatar Airways enjoys is having the flexibility of different aircraft types in our fleet, which gives us a massive competitive edge. We have identified many routes that our competitors have not yet considered, and we look forward to continuing our rapid expansion as we start the new year.
‘A key indicator of the airline’s sustainability and resilience is the addition of 23 new destinations over the past 18 months, something which has never been achieved by any other airline. Just this month alone, Qatar Airways has launched flights to Mombasa, Kenya and Gothenburg Sweden, with services to Da Nang, Vietnam to begin on 19 December 2018. New routes to both Isfahan, Iran, and Valletta, Malta, have already been announced for 2019. This is further testament to our growth, and we will continue to announce further new and exciting destinations in 2019.’
H.E. Mr. Al Baker also addressed the airline’s proven track record of creating a large hub in the midst of tough competition, and emphasised the tremendous potential the airline sees in launching new routes to under-served countries in Africa and Asia, to connect passengers around the world via the airline’s home and hub, HIA.
A multiple-award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisationSkytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.
The national carrier for the State of Qatar’s revolutionary Qsuite Business Class seat was also named ‘Best Business Class’ by the AirlineRatings’ Airline Excellence Awards 2019, whilst the airline’s renowned dine-on-demand in flight cuisine was also named ‘Best Catering’.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft via its state-of-the-art hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide.
About Qatar Airways:
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 160 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2018, including Gothenburg, Sweden; Da Nang, Vietnam; Mombasa, Kenya, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisationSkytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.
Qatar Airways is a member of the one world global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, one world, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2022 World Cup, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 160 key business and leisure destinations globally on more than 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 15 Boeing 777 freighters and eight Airbus A330 freighters.
