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Qatar Airways is now providing access to 18 additional routes in the United States through expanded codeshares with its International Airlines Group (IAG) partners, Aer Lingus and LEVEL. With the latest enhancements, Qatar Airways has “strengthened its partnership” with IAG and its carriers to expand global connectivity between the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. Following the successful codeshare launch with Aer Lingus in 2024, Qatar Airways has grown its partnership with Aer Lingus to share code on the Irish carrier’s flights from Dublin Airport (DUB) to 11 US cities, including Boston, Bradley International in Connecticut, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, and soon to Las Vegas.Additionally, Qatar Airways has re-introduced its codeshare agreement with LEVEL, the leading long-haul operator at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), to share code on LEVEL flights to Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, and soon to Santiago.Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “At Qatar Airways, we believe in offering passengers broader and greater choices to travel to their preferred destinations. Together with our International Airlines Group partners Aer Lingus and LEVEL complementing our existing partnerships, Qatar Airways is further setting a new standard for passenger convenience and global connectivity with 18 additional routes to the US and South America.“This strategic progress enhances Qatar Airways’ award-winning service in the Americas and Europe, and enables travellers in these regions to seamlessly access over 170 destinations in our global network through Hamad International Airport.”Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, Susanne Carberry, said: “Aer Lingus is delighted to partner with Qatar Airways to extend our services to its customers travelling to a number of top US destinations. Aer Lingus has significantly grown its North American network in recent years, with a number of routes flying on our brand-new Airbus A321 XLR aircraft. Customers flying with Aer Lingus to North America can also avail of Dublin Airport’s US Pre-Clearance facility, allowing them to conveniently clear US immigration before leaving Dublin and arrive in the US as domestic passengers. We look forward to welcoming new customers on board through our partnership with Qatar Airways and extending a very warm Irish welcome, the excellent service we are renowned for as well as the most comfortable and modern in-flight experience.” LEVEL Chief Commercial and Network Officer, Lucía Adrover, said: “We are delighted to re-introduce our partnership with Qatar Airways and to further expand our codeshare agreement, to continue contributing to the strengthening of Barcelona’s long-haul connectivity. LEVEL is linking the Middle East and Asia with the Americas via Barcelona, with its next-generation airline model designed to deliver a competitive, seamless, and welcoming travel experience.” Qatar Airways’ latest partnership enhancements are part of its codeshare portfolio with all IAG carriers, including British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, and Vueling, solidifying its position in the European market.Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can make the most of this new opportunity to collect Avios on these codeshare flights with Aer Lingus and LEVEL. Members can use their Avios on travel and lifestyle rewards of their choice including bidding on “money-can’t-buy experiences” with Privilege Club Collection.

Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend in air transport has shown no signs of abating.For instance, the October air passenger schedules indicate that airlines are planning 3.4% more capacity, globally.Air cargo volumes also continue to grow even as global trade patterns change. Air cargo has benefitted from a shift from sea for some high value goods as shippers try to minimise the risk of tariff changes, data released by International Air Transport Association (IATA) has shown.Total air passenger transport demand (in August), measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 4.6% compared to August 2024.Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 4.5% year-on-year. The August load factor was 86% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024), a record high for the month.International demand rose 6.6% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 6.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).Domestic demand increased 1.5% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 86.3% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh noted: “August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6% confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high. Moreover, planes were operating with more seats filled than ever with a record load factor of 86%.“Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend shows no signs of abating, as October schedules are showing airlines planning 3.4% more capacity. Airlines are doing their best to meet travel demand by maximising efficiency, making it even more critical for the aerospace manufacturing sector to sort out its supply chain challenges.”Unpacking details vis-à-vis the air cargo segment, IATA said several factors in the operating environment should be noted,First, the global goods trade grew by 4% year-on-year in July.Second, jet fuel prices in August were 6.4% lower year-on-year, marking the fourteenth consecutive month of year-on-year declines.Also, global manufacturing in August showed rising optimism in manufacturing PMI, with a rebound to 51.75, the strongest reading since June 2024.Sentiment on new export orders, however, remains below 50 at 48.73, reflecting persistent caution amid tariff uncertainty.Trade lane growth indicate air freight volumes in August 2025 increased significantly across most major trade corridors. Europe–Asia and within Asia posted robust double-digit growth, while Middle East–Asia, North America-Europe, and Africa-Asia also saw notable gains.In contrast, Asia–North America, Middle East–Europe, and Within Europe recorded declines.Walsh added, “Air cargo demand grew 4.1% in August, marking the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Volumes continue to grow even as global trade patterns change. Air cargo has benefitted from a shift from sea for some high value goods as shippers try to minimise the risk of tariff changes.“And growth patterns indicate some being diverted away from North America, fuelling stronger growth for the Europe–Asia, Within Asia, Africa–Asia, and Middle East–Asia trade lanes. This adaptability is vital as shippers navigate the evolving landscape of US tariff policy,”Industry analysts say rising cargo volumes typically reflect growth in international trade, manufacturing, and supply chain demand.Passenger growth points to higher consumer confidence, business travel recovery, and robust tourism.Airlines are likely experiencing higher load factors (better capacity utilisation) and revenue gains, which could strengthen financial performance and stability.Increased passenger and cargo activity reflects restored international mobility, expansion of route networks, and better global connectivity between markets.Sustained improvements in both segments signal that stakeholders (governments, investors, airports, and logistics firms) see the industry on a stable growth trajectory, supporting investment and fleet expansion.As IATA data reveal, the improvement in both the air passenger and cargo segments suggests renewed economic momentum, stronger global trade, and growing travel demand—signs of resilience and confidence in the global air transport sector.Pratap John is Business Editor at Gulf Times. X handle: @PratapJohn.

AlRayan Bank announced that it has been awarded the National Information Assurance (NIA) Certification by the State of Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA). Achieved to a high standard within a short timeframe, this milestone reflects the bank’s sustained focus on strengthening information protection and cyber resilience in the face of rising global threats. The certification ceremony took place at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha.Unlike traditional security standards that sit mainly within IT, NIA is a strategic, Qatar-tailored assurance framework that integrates cybersecurity across the entire enterprise, governance, processes, and frontline business functions. For AlRayan Bank, the certification represents a major step forward in safeguarding information assets, elevating security practices across every department, and contributing to the State’s national information security strategy in line with international best practice. It also signals independent assurance of the Bank’s cybersecurity maturity, deeper protection for customers, staff, assets, and shareholders, greater confidence among partners, strengthened resilience against evolving cyber risks, support for compliance with national and global standards, and the continued cultivation of a pervasive, organisation-wide security culture.Commenting on the achievement, Omar al-Emadi, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer at AlRayan Bank, said: “We are proud to receive the NIA Certification, a clear reflection of AlRayan Bank’s relentless focus on information protection and cyber resilience. This is a pivotal step in our journey to safeguard information assets and embed robust security practices across the bank. It also affirms our active contribution to Qatar’s national information security strategy, in line with global best practice. Above all, it embodies our steadfast commitment to protecting our customers’ and partners’ data, strengthening our ability to anticipate and counter cyber risks, and ensuring greater resilience and secure business continuity.”Al-Emadi added that the Bank extends its appreciation to the National Cyber Security Agency for its leadership and guidance in enabling AlRayan Bank to meet the certification requirements. Building on this foundation, the bank will continue to deepen trust with customers and shareholders through credible, stable, and secure digital banking services, making AlRayan Bank their first choice.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, announced the license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity- ezbank, from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) in cooperation with Ajlan & Bros Holding, with a capital of SR2.5bn.This milestone, in cooperation with Ajlan & Bros Holding, reflects a commitment to supporting QNB Group’s vision for financial inclusion and digital transformation, as well as the broader economic development strategy.With ezbank, the goal is to introduce a new model of customer-centric banking built around innovation, efficiency, and accessibility.The license approval for ezbank is an important step in QNB Group’s ongoing efforts to transform the banking sector in the markets in which it operates, across 28 countries in three continents.The entity aims to offer a digital-first banking experience that is simple, inclusive, and secure, and to provide innovative solutions for the youth and entrepreneurs.The bank will use mobile-first platforms, AI-driven tools, and smart risk management to make transactions easier, increase access, and support digital economy.

The Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards for Lifetime Achievement will recognise six exceptional individuals at its 2025 edition at a high-profile ceremony in Doha on October 22.The awards honour global leaders for their outstanding lifetime contributions to the advancement of energy and sustainable development.Each honouree is carefully selected by an independent international committee of experts, ensuring that the Awards remain one of the most respected accolades in the industry.Previous winners of the award include His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi; the 69th United States Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson; the creator of the Dated Brent benchmark (now the world’s most important crude oil marker) John Kingston, and Professor Michael Grätzel, a pioneer of molecular photovoltaics who first demonstrated that mesoscopic photosystems based on molecular light harvesters can efficiently convert light into electricity.Speaking ahead of the event, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Chairman of Al-Attiyah Foundation said:“As with all previous winners, the 2025 honourees — who will be revealed on the night — represent the highest standards of leadership and innovation in energy. Their lifetime achievements are not only remarkable in scale but also in their lasting influence on the global energy community. I look forward to initiating them to our alumni in the coming weeks.”The awards ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel Resort and Convention Centre, gathering over 300 of the most influential figures in the energy industry.The evening is sponsored by ExxonMobil, underlining the strong support of leading energy companies.Al-Attiyah Foundation’s member organisations include some of the world’s most prestigious and significant companies. Members of the Foundation are: QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, Woqod, Shell, QNB, Qatar Electricity & Water Co., Q-Chem, QAPCO (Qatar Petrochemical Company), Dolphin Energy, QAFCO (Qatar Fertiliser Company), ConocoPhillips, Qatar Cool, Gulf Helicopters, Marubeni, Sasol and JTA Holding.

The Arab region’s renewable energy sector attracted some 360 FDI projects with investments of $351bn in 22 years up to 2024, a report by Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) has shown.This, the report noted, provided more than 83,000 jobs during the period from January 2003-December 2024.According to Dhaman, Qatar is among countries that lead investment and business attraction in power and energy.In its second report for 2025 on the Arab power and renewable energy sector, the Kuwait-based Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation noted five countries - Egypt, Morocco, the UAE, Mauritania and Jordan, made up approximately 69% of the number of projects (248 projects), around 83% of the Capex ($291bn), and 82% of the new jobs (approximately 68,000 jobs).It added that the top 10 companies investing in the power sector in each index accounted for around 25% of the number of implemented projects, 40% of Capex, and 38% of the total new jobs.Five Arab countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt, invested in 90 inter-Arab renewable energy projects, accounting for roughly 25% of the sector’s foreign projects over 22 years. These projects were implemented with Capex of approximately $113bn, or more than 32% of the total Capex of the FDI projects in the sector, providing approximately 22,000 jobs.Based on Fitch Ratings’ assessment of investment and business risks and rewards in the electricity and energy sector in 14 Arab countries, by monitoring and measuring two main indicators, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman topped the Arab rankings as the best and most attractive Arab countries for investment in the power and energy sector in 2025. They were followed by Morocco, Egypt and Algeria respectively.Generated electricity in the Arab region (15 countries) is likely to surge by 4.2% to exceed 1,500 terawatt-hours by the end of 2025 and is even projected to keep rising to 1,754 terawatt-hours by 2030. Electricity generation is largely concentrated geographically, with five countries - Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iraq and Algeria – making up 74% of the region’s total electricity generation by the end of 2025, it said. The report noted that electricity consumption in Arab countries is forecast to edge up by 3.5% to 1,296 terawatt-hours by the end of 2025, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Algeria and Kuwait accounting for 74% of the region’s total electricity consumption: around 958 terawatt-hours.It added that average per capita electricity generated in Arab countries is forecast to go up by 3.1% to 8.6 thousand kilowatt-hours by the end of 2025, amid forecasts of a hike to roughly 9.6 thousand kilowatt-hours by 2030.Arab foreign trade in power generation equipment and electric current shot up by 8% to approximately $39.2bn in 2024, with five countries – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iraq and Qatar – making up 81% of the total.This is the result of a surge in power generation equipment and electric current exports of Arab countries by 9% to roughly $7.6bn and its imports by 7.8% to more than $31.5bn in 2024. The list of the region’s top 10 exporting countries made up around 78% of total Arab electricity and power generation equipment imports, valued at $24.7bn.Turkiye topped the list as the region’s top electricity exporter, with a value of $446mn, while the United States came as the largest power generation equipment exporter, with a value of $6.6bn, according to the report.It noted that the list of the region’s top 10 importing countries represented 58% of total Arab electricity and power generation equipment exports worth $4.4bn. Libya topped the list as the region’s largest importer of electricity, with a value of $59mn, while France ranked as the region’s largest power generation equipment importer with a value of $593mn.

In a strategic move that underscores Qatar’s growing role in the global superyacht industry, Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Feadship, the world-renowned Dutch builder of custom superyachts, to explore collaboration in marine infrastructure, design, and sector engagement.The MoU, signed during the 34th Monaco Yacht Show, reflects a shared vision to develop “Marsa” Port at Umm Alhoul Free Zone into a premier superyacht destination in the Gulf, fostering excellence across maintenance, refit, provisioning, and owner experiences. The MoU was formalized by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani, CEO of QFZ, and Bas Nederpelt, Chief Commercial Officer of Feadship.Under the MoU, Feadship will provide advisory support to QFZ’s leadership on the development of world-class maintenance, repair, and refit (MRR) facilities, while also contributing to broader initiatives to enhance Qatar’s role in custom yacht design and luxury maritime innovation.Sheikh Mohammed stated: “Qatar is becoming a global hub for the superyacht community, driven by world-class infrastructure and a market forecast to grow 7.4% annually through 2030. With the highest ownership per capita in the region, our partnership with Feadship advances our ambition to make Marsa the Gulf’s leading superyacht destination - creating lasting value for investors, owners, and the maritime sector.”Beyond port infrastructure, the collaboration opens new avenues for global engagement through high-level events, knowledge sharing, and owner experiences that will draw international attention to Qatar’s evolving marine sector.Nederpelt said: “Feadship welcomes the opportunity to explore this collaboration with QFZ. We recognize Qatar’s ambition to develop Marsa Port as a destination for the superyacht community and are pleased to contribute in an advisory capacity as part of this exploratory partnership. This MoU reflects our shared commitment to knowledge exchange and dialogue, ensuring that any future steps are aligned with the highest standards of our industry.”This partnership is part of QFZ’s broader strategy to create a future-focused, sustainable marine cluster that attracts leading global players, enhances the Gulf region’s luxury offerings, and places Qatar firmly on the global superyacht map.

Qatar Airways has been awarded the ACT Middle East Treasury Award for capital raising for its landmark QR4.5bn QNB-led dual-tranche syndicated facility and supported by a consortium of local banks. “The milestone transaction marks one of the largest aviation finance deals of its kind in the region, reinforcing the airline’s financial strength and resilience.“The achievement underscores Qatar Airways’ prudent financial strategy, strong relationships with Qatar’s world-class banking sector, and its ability to successfully navigate complex financing structures to supportlong-term sustainable growth.” QNB, as the leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, played a pivotal role in structuring and leading the capital raising, leveraging its expertise and strong relationships with local banks. The transaction underscores QNB’s ability to deliver innovative financial solutions that support Qatar’s flagship companies in achieving sustainable growth and global competitiveness.The ACT Middle East Treasury Awards recognise outstanding achievements in corporate treasury across the region, celebrating excellence in financial management. The accolade highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to the highest standards of financial management and the strategic role of the airline in strengthening Qatar’s economic resilience.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to receive the ACT Middle East Treasury award for our landmark capital raising agreement with local banks led by QNB for QR4.5bn. The landmark financing deal, achieved with the leadership of QNB and the support of our local banks, reflects the strength of our partnership and commitment to financial excellence and is fully in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. It is not only an achievement for the airline, but also a testament to Qatar’s world-class banking sector.”QNB Group Chief Executive Officer, Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, said: “We are proud to have supported Qatar Airways in this landmark transaction, which reflects the strength of Qatar’s financial sector and its ability to deliver innovative financing solutions. This achievement not only reinforces the airline’s global position but also demonstrates our commitment to advancing Qatar’s economic resilience and long-termsustainable growth in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”Qatar Airways continues to be a leader in both aviation and finance, ensuring the airline remains well-positioned to expand its network, invest in new aircraft, and deliver the five-star service for which it is globally renowned. The national carrier also aims to stimulate greater collaboration between the aviation and the banking sector, paving the way for innovative financial structures tailored to the airline’s evolving needs while promoting national economic resilience.

Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council, in collaboration with Qatar Airways, completed the 9th edition of the Corporate Innovation Leaders (CIL) training, the first-ever edition hosted exclusively for Qatar Airways employees.This four-day event took place at the Education City Golf Club, bringing together executives, strategists, and innovators under one roof to explore new frontiers in corporate innovation.As a key platform for thought leadership and collaboration, the CIL training is designed to create a dynamic network where corporate leaders can share insights, exchange best practices, and address the challenges of innovation within Qatar’s rapidly evolving business landscape.Now in its ninth iteration, the training plays an important role in promoting a culture of creativity and adaptability across local organisations, ensuring long-term competitiveness and resilience in the national economy.This year’s training marks a significant milestone as QRDI Council partners with Qatar Airways for a dedicated, employee-focused edition, a strategic move that underscores the growing importance of innovation at all levels of the organisation.The event concluded with a keynote address by guest speaker Stephanie Melodia, CEO of Bloom Ltd, from the United Kingdom, who shared her insights on innovation, leadership, and transformation in global markets.By empowering corporate leaders and employees with the tools, knowledge, and mindset needed to drive innovation, the CIL training directly supports the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in fostering a knowledge-based economy.Through strategic collaboration, capacity-building, and the promotion of a culture of innovation, the training continues to contribute to the human, economic, and social development pillars of the national vision, helping to position Qatar as a hub for creativity, technological advancement, and sustainable growth on the global stage.

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, and Blue Owl Capital have entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the objective of creating a digital infrastructure platform intended to accelerate global compute available to leading hyperscalers amid surging cloud and AI transformation.QIA’s contribution to the partnership is expected to help launch a digital infrastructure platform with more than $3bn of initial data center assets and is expected to grow over time.In addition, QIA brings to the partnership a global investment perspective, a long-term capital base, and a deep experience in infrastructure and technology sectors aligning with Blue Owl’s permanent capital strategy.Mohammed Saif al-Sowaidi, CEO, QIA said: “We are pleased to partner with Blue Owl in this transformational digital infrastructure platform. This partnership aligns with QIA’s strategy to engage with leading global firms that are addressing the world’s growing demand for data centers.“QIA and Blue Owl are committed to scaling digital infrastructure that will meet the growing demand for data storage and computation requirements globally, with a particular focus on increasing data connectivity.”Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz, Co-CEOs of Blue Owl said: “We are honoured to partner with Qatar Investment Authority in advancing the global data center ecosystem. QIA’s commitment to innovation aligns seamlessly with our strategy to provide financing solutions to large-scale, resilient, digital infrastructure portfolios.“Together, we aim to meet the surging demand for data connectivity and power the next generation of digital transformation."Blue Owl’s Digital Infrastructure strategy is part of Blue Owl’s Real Assets platform and is focused exclusively on investing in the mission-critical assets powering cloud and AI innovation.“As of June 30, 2025, the strategy has raised $39bn of capital, investing in 104 facilities across 28 global markets.”Qatar Investment Authority was founded in 2005 to invest and manage the state reserve funds. QIA is among the largest and most active sovereign wealth funds globally.QIA invests across a wide range of asset classes and regions as well as in partnership with leading institutions around the world to build a global and diversified investment portfolio.With over $284bn in assets under management as of June 30, Blue Owl invests across three multi-strategy platforms: Credit, Real Assets and GP Strategic Capital.Anchored by a strong permanent capital base, Blue Owl provides businesses with private capital solutions to drive long-term growth and offer institutional investors, individual investors, and insurance companies differentiated alternative investment opportunities that aim to deliver strong performance, risk-adjusted returns, and capital preservation.

Beyond the TarmacAirlines are estimated to need 500mn tonnes (Mt) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to achieve the industry’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.This can be achieved from two main sources- biomass and power-to-liquid, according to the International Air Transport Association.Biomass has the potential to produce more than 300Mt of bio-SAF annually by 2050. Some of this potential could be limited by use for competing sources. This potential could be expanded by unlocking additional feedstocks or through efficiency gains and technology improvements over intervening decades.Power-to-liquid (PtL) will be required to reach 500 Mt of SAF production annually by 2050. Maximising the volumes of cost-effective bio-SAF will reduce the pressure on e-SAF to bridge the gap.In all cases, to maximise SAF output, it will be essential to improve conversion efficiencies, accelerate technology rollout, enhance feedstock logistics, and invest in better infrastructure required to scale up commercial facilities across all regions.Recently, IATA in partnership with Worley Consulting, has published a study demonstrating that sufficient sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock exists to enable the airline industry to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.All feedstocks considered meet stringent sustainability criteria and do not lead to changes in land use.The study also identified significant barriers in using that feedstock for SAF production, namely the slow pace of technology rollout that would enable SAF to be produced from varied sources and competition with other potential users of the same feedstock.Currently, the only commercially scaled SAF production facilities use HEFA technology, for example converting used cooking oil into SAF.Policies allocating biomass feedstock to hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation must be prioritised.According to the report, there are sufficient sustainable feedstocks and SAF production technologies to decarbonise aviation and meet the net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.With the right policies and investments, more than 300Mt of SAF from biomass feedstocks could be produced annually by mid-century and around 200Mt from e-SAF.Enhancing the feedstock supply chain infrastructure, scaling up novel sources that meet sustainability criteria, and ensuring that the feedstocks identified for SAF production are made available to the air transport industry remain a major challenge.Other major challenges, according to IATA, are: Accelerating technology rollout to unlock new SAF production technologies, especially PtL, including reliable access to the low-cost renewable electricity, hydrogen, and carbon capture infrastructure, which are all required as part of the PtL production method.Achieving coordinated government policies to support innovation, and investment to create a fully functioning SAF market, unlocking new economic opportunities.Rallying regional leadership, with North America, Brazil, Europe, India, China, and Asean identified as key drivers of global SAF output.Activating the energy industry to invest in SAF production capacity, support technology commercialisation, and align their business strategies with global decarbonisation goals.IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh said: “We now have unequivocal evidence that if SAF production is prioritised then feedstock availability is not a barrier in the industry’s path to decarbonisation.“There is enough potential feedstock from sustainable sources to reach net zero carbon emissions in 2050. However, this will only be accomplished with a major acceleration of the SAF industry’s growth. We need shovels in the ground now.”“With this study it becomes clear that we can make SAF the solution it needs to be for aviation’s decarbonisation. The potential to turn SAF feedstock into real SAF production is in the hands of policymakers and business leaders, particularly in the energy sector.“The conclusion of this study is an urgent call to action. We have just 25 years to turn this proven potential into reality,” said Walsh.Industry analysts say hitting net-zero aviation by 2050 is huge, technically possible, but it won’t happen by accident.The industry must scale SAF fast, modernise fleets, squeeze out operational savings, build hydrogen and PtL capacity, and deploy robust policy and finance — all co-ordinated internationally and backed by strict sustainability and verification — to credibly reach net-zero by 2050.

QNB Group announced the successful completion of an inaugural benchmark green bond issuance in euro currency under its Medium Term Note Programme in the international capital markets. Under this Programme, a five-year, EUR750mn tranche was launched onSeptember 23. This is the largest ever Euro denominated green bond issuance from aGCC bank. QNB Group is the leader of sustainability initiatives in the region, and it has embedded the topic of sustainability throughout the organisation to deliver positive impact to thesocieties we serve. This landmark transaction reflects QNB’s steadfast commitment towards further development of green and sustainable finance products in Qatar and its core markets as per its Sustainable Finance and Product Framework. The issuance attracted overwhelming interest from a wide range of global investors leading to the issuance being heavily oversubscribed, with peak orders at 2.5 times theissue size. The pricing on the bonds tightened significantly with the final pricing at 75 bps over mid swaps compared to the initial pricing of 100-105 basis points over mid swaps. The fixed coupon on the bond is 3.00% annually. The order book reflected significant interest across various geographies with key interest from European and Asian investors, reflecting QNB Group’s strategy ofdiversifying its funding sources in terms of geography and currency mix. Green investors, who include dedicated funds that invest in assets with rigorous sustainabilitycriteria represented 56% of the allocation. The proceeds of this green bond will be utilised for financing or refinancing portfolio ofprojects that qualify under the eligible green project categories as set out in the QNB Group’s Sustainable Finance and Product Framework. The transaction was arranged and offered through a syndicate of Joint Lead Managersand Joint Bookrunners that included Barclays, Crédit Agricole CIB, HSBC, QNB Capitaland Santander.

QNB has signed an agreement with MetLife to further strengthen their long-standing partnership.The partnership reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to deliver innovative financial and insurance solutions that meet the growing needs of their customers.The collaboration reinforces QNB’s position as a leader in bancassurance through offering customers with a wide range of tailored solutions, including savings and investment plans, home and motor insurance, travel protection, and life coverage. These solutions are designed to provide comprehensive financial security while ensuring accessibility, flexibility, and competitive value.By combining QNB’s market leadership with MetLife’s global expertise, various solutions will be delivered to the customers’ long-term financial wellbeing and offer security to their life’s most valuable assets.QNB Group is one of the leading financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa and is ranked as the most valuable banking brand in the MEA region. Present in some 28 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa, it offers tailored products and services supported by innovation and backed by a team of over 31,000 professionals dedicated to driving banking excellence, worldwide.

QatarEnergy doubled country's solar capacity to 1,675MW of renewable electricity since June 2022, the energy major said Tuesday.QatarEnergy is currently building the Dukhan solar power plant, which will double Qatar's solar power generation capacity to more than 4,000MW of renewable energy.The Dukhan plant, one of the largest in the world, will be developed in two phases, reaching a total electricity generation capacity of 2,000 megawatts (MW) by mid-2029.Once completed, it will double Qatar’s solar power production capacity, contributing significantly to the country’s renewable energy goals.The 800-megawatt (MW) Al-Kharsaah solar power plant, Qatar’s first such facility, began supplying electricity to Qatar’s national grid in June 2022.Since then, QatarEnergy has built and operated the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar power plants with a combined capacity of 875MW, doubling Qatar's production capacity to 1,675MW of renewable electricity.QatarEnergy established QatarEnergy Renewable Solutions in 2017 with the purpose of financing, building, operating, and maintaining solar power facilities, and selling electricity generated from solar power within the State of Qatar.Recently, QatarEnergy signed an agreement with Samsung C&T's Engineering & Construction Group (Samsung C&T) for the construction of a world-scale solar power plant in Dukhan.When completed, the Dukhan solar power plant, along with Al-Kharsaah, Mesaieed, Ras Laffan solar power plants will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 4.7mn tonnes annually, while contributing up to 30% of Qatar’s total peak electricity demand.According to QatarEnergy, the Dukhan solar power plant will begin the first phase of production by adding 1,000MW of power to the Kahramaa grid towards the end of 2028.The new plant will utilise a solar tracker system and will enhance efficiency by installing inverters capable of operating flawlessly in a high-temperature environment.

Commercial Bank Financial Services (CBFS), in collaboration with Qatar University, hosted a two-day workshop at the university premises. The workshop was dedicated to sharing and promoting financial literacy amongst students.Led by industry experts, the workshop equipped students with practical tools and knowledge to support their investment journey, foster entrepreneurship, and contribute to Qatar’s growing economy. The first day covered Qatar’s local market, index selection methodology, and approaches to relative valuation and sector analysis. The second day introduced students to a typical career path in investment while exploring best practices in technical analysis.Through the workshop, students developed a deeper understanding of financial literacy and were encouraged to envision careers in business and investment.Hamad al-Shehri, General Manager of CBFS, commented: “At CBFS, we believe in the importance of a financially aware community, well-prepared for future economic challenges. “Through this workshop, we helped empower the next generation with the tools and confidence to lead Qatar’s future investment and financial future.”

A delegation representing the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), along with participants in the "Assessing of Reliability of Renewable Energy Sources in the Cooperation Council Countries" workshop, visited the Al-Kharsaah solar power plant. The plant, which was developed and is operated by Siraj (1), a subsidiary of QatarEnergy Renewable Solutions, is wholly owned by QatarEnergy.The visit came on the sidelines of the workshop organised in Doha by the GCCIA, where participants were given the opportunity to learn about the latest operation, maintenance, and production technologies adopted by Al-Kharsaah solar power plant, the first solar plant in Qatar.The 800-megawatt (MW) Al-Kharsaah solar power plant began supplying electricity to Qatar’s national grid in June 2022. Since then, QatarEnergy has built and operated the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar power plants with a combined capacity of 875 MW, doubling Qatar's production capacity to 1,675 MW of renewable electricity. QatarEnergy is currently building the Dukhan solar power plant, which will double Qatar's solar power generation capacity to more than 4,000 MW of renewable energy.QatarEnergy established QatarEnergy Renewable Solutions in 2017 with the purpose of financing, building, operating, and maintaining solar power facilities, and selling electricity generated from solar power within the State of Qatar. QatarEnergy Renewable Solutions owns 60% of Siraj (1) Company.The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) is the body responsible for the electricity interconnection project among the GCC countries.

The assets of Islamic banks in the country grew by 3.9% to QR585.5bn in 2024, according to Bait Al-Mashura Finance.Quoting figures from the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), Bait Al-Mashura said in 2023 Islamic bank assets in the country totalled QR563.7bn.Islamic banks accounted for 28% of the total assets of Qatar’s banking sector, the researcher said.Domestic assets of Islamic banks increased by 4% in 2024 to QR529.7bn, while their reserves rose by 6.3% to QR20.6bn.Foreign assets amounted to QR35.2bn, a 0.4% decrease year-on-year compared to 2023.The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of assets for Qatar’s Islamic banks over the five-year period (2020-2024) reached 5.4%, compared to 3.5% for traditional commercial banks in the country during the same period.In 2024, Islamic banks in Qatar recorded revenues of QR29.5bn, representing a growth rate of 12.6% compared to 2023.Financing and investment activities accounted for 91% of these total revenues. This growth was driven by a 13.8% increase in financing and investment revenues, along with an 8.4% decrease in the provision for credit losses compared to 2023.Over the period 2020-2024, the revenue of Islamic banks grew at a CAGR of 9%.In 2024, the four Islamic banks in Qatar achieved total net profits of QR8.7bn for their shareholders, compared to QR8.2bn in 2023, representing a 6% growth.Data from the QCB showed that total deposits in the Qatari banking system grew by 4.1% in 2024.Islamic bank deposits in Qatar increased by 8.2% during the same period, compared to a 2.2% increase in deposits at conventional commercial banks.Islamic bank deposits accounted for approximately 34% of the total deposits in the Qatari banking system, reaching a total of QR339.1bn, compared to QR313.4bn in 2023.Over the period 2020-2024, the compound annual growth rate for deposits in Islamic banks was 5%, compared to 1.5% for conventional banks.The private sector held the largest share of deposits in Islamic banks, at 57%, followed by the public sector with 38%. Non-resident deposits constituted only 5% of total deposits in Islamic banks.During 2024, the most significant growth rate was observed in public sector deposits, which increased by 20%. Private sector deposits also grew by 4%, while non-resident deposits declined by 16% compared to 2023.According to quarterly data from the QCB, financing provided by Islamic banks (in 2024) reached QR401.5bn, an increase of 4.9% compared to 2023.Credit facilities extended by traditional commercial banks also increased by 4.4%.The most significant growth in Islamic bank financing in 2024 was observed in the real estate and general trade sectors, increasing by 16% and 12.7% respectively.Financing for the services and consumer sectors also increased by 4.5% and 2.9% respectively.Conversely, financing for the industrial and construction sectors declined by 14.2% and 11.3% respectively.Islamic bank financing represented 30% of total banking sector financing in 2024.During the period 2020-2024, the CAGR for total financing by Islamic banks was 5.2%, compared to 3% for traditional commercial banks.

Total value of mortgage transactions in Qatar was more than QR10bn during the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, reflecting an increase of 5% quarterly, according to researcher ValuStrat.This, however, indicates a drop of 22% year-on-year (YoY), the researcher said in a country report.In the second quarter of 2025, Qatar real estate market witnessed some 311 mortgage transactions across all asset classes of ready properties, a decrease of 5% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) but a 20% jump since the second quarter of last year.Doha recorded as many as 99 deals worth QR6bn, the highest in volume and value for the quarter, while Al Rayyan saw 93 transactions totalling QR2bn.The ValuStrat Price Index – Residential Capital Values, rose by 2% both quarterly and annually at 98.4 points. This is compared with 100 base points as of Q1, 2021.Apartment capital values remained stable on a quarterly basis but recorded a 2% annual increase, averaging QR10,485 per sq m.Sales prices in The Pearl Island and West Bay Lagoon were unchanged from the previous quarter, at QR10,620 per sq m and QR9,600 per sq m, respectively.In contrast, Lusail experienced a modest quarterly rise of 1.6%, reaching QR10,350 per sq m.On a yearly comparison, both The Pearl Island and Lusail grew by 2%, while West Bay Lagoon posted a 1.4% decline.Villa prices rose by 2.4% QoQ and 1.9% YoY, averaging QR5,650 per sq m.Values in Muaither and Umm Salal Ali recorded quarterly gains of 2% and 4%, respectively, while The Pearl Island, West Bay Lagoon, and Ain Khalid registered declines of up to 3% QoQ.The price-to-rent ratio for both apartments and villas increased to 20 years, reflecting a marginal increases in prices QoQ.Residential gross yield remained at 5.7%, with apartments contributing 8.1% and villas at 4.5%, ValuStrat noted.Total residential stock during Q2, 2025 was 402,137 units, comprising 254,108 apartments and 148,029 villas.An estimated 595 apartments were delivered during the quarter.Around 4,500 units are anticipated in H2, 2025, with 37% located in Lusail, another 37% in Al Waab, and 24% on the Pearl Island.The median ticket size for housing units was QR2.8mn, an increase of 3.7% QoQ but a decline of 1.8% yearly.In the second quarter of 2025, residential house transaction volume rose sharply by 30.9% quarterly and 62.6% YoY, ValuStrat said.Al Khor and Al Wakra had the highest number of residential villa transactions. The Pearl Island and Al Qassar saw sales value and volume surge by 198% and 209% YoY, respectively.