Qatar Airways has hinted at further expansion to new UK destinations in view of the significant role played by the aviation sector in expanding the business relationship between Qatar and the UK.
The country’s national carrier, which already works with many British companies as Rolls-Royce contributing to investment and employment opportunities, indicated this at the high-profile Qatar-UK Business and Investment forum, which took place in London and Birmingham this week.
“We are proud of the part we play in encouraging trade between the UK and Qatar with more than 70 flights each week between Qatar and destinations in the UK such as London Heathrow, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester,” Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar al-Baker said.
In addition, London is home to the headquarters of International Airlines Group, of which Qatar Airways is a shareholder and the UK will also be the very first market to which it will fly the recently launched ‘Qsuite’ this summer, bringing First to Business Class, a direct reflection of the importance it places upon the Qatar–UK relationship, he said.
There are some 20,000 UK citizens in Qatar and another some 40,000 who visit the country annually from the UK, and Qatar Airways provides a modern and efficient transport infrastructure, with a fleet of the world’s latest generation aircraft and one of the most modern airports in the world, the Hamad International Airport.
The two-day forum provided a significant platform to develop the trade and investment relationships between Qatar and the UK, while raising the profile of the strong relationships that exist between the two countries.
The forum included an invitation for al-Baker to attend a VIP round table discussion with UK Prime Minister Theresa May on the importance of the UK-Qatar relationship, alongside key representatives from Qatar led by HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Al-Baker also held a private meeting with Secretary of State for International Trade for the UK, Dr Liam Fox.
The forum included a roundtable meeting with May and was attended by senior Qatar officials including HE the Minister of Transport and Communication Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi.
The forum also featured an impressive gala dinner attended by Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and his wife, the Countess of Wessex.
Qatar Airways also hosted a gala dinner in celebration of its ties with the UK by serving London Heathrow for 20 years at London’s Dorchester Hotel for more than 450 VIP guests, including notable dignitaries such as the Qatari Premier.