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Staff Reporter
QATAR Airways and Korea-based Asiana Airlines have officially signed a strategic codeshare agreement on the Doha-Seoul route.
Under the new agreement, signed by the heads of the two companies in Seoul, Asiana Airlines applies its OZ code on Qatar Airways' flights between Doha and Seoul.
At the signing ceremony held at Asiana's headquarters, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar al-Baker met Asiana President Joo-an Kang and expressed delight at the start of what he hoped would be a long and fruitful association.
Al-Baker also announced plans by Qatar Airways to increase frequency this summer with a fourth weekly flight between Doha International Airport and Seoul's Incheon International Airport to give business and leisure travellers additional choice.
The extra flight, he said, will enable both Asiana and Qatar Airways' passengers to connect onto a wide range of services operated by Qatar Airways to many destinations across the Middle East and Europe via Doha.
"It is indeed a great pleasure to add another new codeshare partner into our global network," said al-Baker, adding that Asiana had established a strong reputation as a leading and quality international airline operating in one of the most competitive environments in Asia.
"This codeshare with Asiana marks another special moment for Qatar Airways in this very historic year when Qatar plays host to the 15th Asian Games in Doha. "Qatar Airways is the official airline of the Games, which take place over a two-week period at the end of 2006 and we look forward to welcoming athletes and spectators from across Korea to Qatar for what promises to be the best and biggest-ever Games to be staged."
Asiana Airlines President Joo-an Kang said: "We are pleased to come together with our new partner, Qatar Airways, in this codeshare agreement. We look forward to many mutual benefits that are certain to result from this partnership and are confident that our passengers will be the real beneficiaries from the latest expansion of our global network."
Qatar Airways currently operates three flights a week between Doha and Seoul, via Shanghai, using a Airbus A330 in a two-class configuration of business and economy.
Seoul is one of 12 Far East destinations served by Qatar Airways.
Qatar Airways operates a fleet of 47 all-Airbus aircraft to 70 destinations from its hub in Doha.
Together with its codeshare partners, Qatar Airways serves more than 80 cities worldwide. The airline's fleet will more than double in size over the next 10 years to 110 aircraft.
Qatar Airways plans to acquire up to 80 aircraft in orders worth $16bn over the next 10 years.
The airline's Privilege Club loyalty programme already has a tie-up with Asiana Airlines allowing Privilege Club members to earn and redeem Qmiles on flights operated by Asiana. |
