Qatar Airways has taken delivery of some 19 new aircraft in 2016, creating a total fleet of 192 aircraft.
Having been the global launch customer of the A350, the “most technologically advanced” aircraft in the world, Qatar Airways now operates a fleet of 13 A350s, serving destinations as diverse as Boston, London and Adelaide.
Qatar Airways continues to deliver on its fleet expansion and renewal strategy, having placed a record $11.7bn order for 30 B787-9 Dreamliners and 10 777-300ERs, as well as signing a Letter of Intent for up to 60 737 Max 8s valued at $6.9bn.
The landmark order, combined with previous orders results in a total of 350 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to be delivered to the airline over the coming years valued at more than $90bn.
Qatar Airways has one of the youngest fleets in the world, averaging just five years, and the combination of its short and long haul mixed fleet provides the airline with the operational agility to maximise efficiency and profit by putting the right aircraft on the right route — every time.
Qatar Airways’ private jet arm, Qatar Executive, was the “global launch customer” for the Gulfstream G650ER, and has placed an order for a further three G650ERs — the “fastest and longest range” private jet aircraft in the world — at the Farnborough Airshow in July. The latest order will make Qatar Executive the largest dedicated G650 operator globally.
Strategic partnerships form an important part of Qatar Airways’ success, as the airline invests in airlines that have clear marketplace advantages or opportunities.
Qatar Airways raised its stake in British Airways’ parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) to 20%, signed an agreement to acquire up to 10% of LATAM Airlines Group, South America’s largest consolidated carrier, and made significant progress towards the acquisition of a 49% stake in Italian airline, Meridiana, in early 2017.
The airline also formed a new joint business agreement with British Airways and celebrated its one-year anniversary of its joint business agreement with Royal Air Maroc.
New code-share relationships with oneworld members Finnair and Sri Lankan were signed, along with oneworld affiliate member Comair, and Vueling and Air Botswana.
Qatar Airways continued its “commitment” to build its home, Doha, into a “world-class destination” for sport, entertainment and the arts, and marketing Doha as an excellent stopover destination to its millions of passengers.
The airline hosted the first ever Qatar Airways Cup, welcoming FC Barcelona and Saudi’s Al Ahli for a ‘Match of Champions’, while sponsoring other world-class events in tennis, squash and cycling. As title sponsor for the seventh year, the annual Qatar International Food Festival saw a record number of visitors and attendees to the world-stage event.
Qatar Airways also lead the initiative to introduce a new transit visa scheme, opening up unprecedented access for travellers and new opportunity for the country’s booming tourism industry.
Al-Baker receiving the prestigious ‘Skytrax World Airline’ Awards in July. strength reaches 192
