Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Akbar al-Baker delivered a keynote speech at the ‘Flight Global Airline Partnership Summit’ in Madrid, which concluded yesterday.
The two-day summit being held at the Meliá Avenida América Hotel gathered more than 100 aviation industry delegates to discuss the strategic, legal, financial and technological challenges surrounding existing and new partnership arrangements.
Hosted by Flightglobal, the two-day agenda is designed for aviation leaders to collaborate and network.
Al-Baker said, “Alliances are playing an increasingly important role in the airline industry today. When Qatar Airways was asked to join oneworld in 2012, it changed the future shape of our airline. This alliance connected us to an elite team of the world’s leading airlines, offering our customers a truly unique proposition for travel to all corners of the globe.
“This October, Qatar Airways proudly celebrates its one year anniversary of joining this premier global alliance, one of the most significant landmarks in our young history. As the only airline in the Gulf region to be a member of such an alliance, we will continue to strengthen our competitive offering, as we grow our fleet and connectivity around the world.”
Airline Business editor, Max Kingsley-Jones said, “Al-Baker’s presentation, which opened the conference, provided a fantastic insight into the decision-making process behind joining an alliance and the power that these partnerships can deliver to the bottom line for all involved.”
The Aviation Partnership Summit serves as a central platform and meeting point for discussion on aviation-related issues, such as the values, structures and innovation of alliances, the rise of Eastern destinations, the perspective and impact of low cost carriers and hybrid airlines on partnership and alliance models, vertical partnerships and joint ventures, how to improve the customer experience, and the SMART airport experience, among others.