Qatar Airways Group chief executive HE Akbar al-Baker has emphasised the importance of the Australian market and said the national carrier has carried 180,000 passengers and over 15,000 tonnes of cargo to Australia since March 1.
In a Twitter message on Saturday, HE al-Baker said, “Australia is a very important market for Qatar Airways. Since March 1, when the pandemic really started spreading around the globe, we have carried 180,000 passengers and over 15,000 tonnes of cargo to Australia."
“Unfortunately, due to the restrictions and the second spike of the pandemic in Australia, the government has restricted us from carrying additional passengers. We have very limited capacity that we can take into Australia and we have also a huge stress, covering the cost of this very expensive flight,” HE al-Baker said on the challenges caused by restrictions on passenger numbers.
He continued, “However, we are committed to continuing operating to Australia and increasing frequencies. I am very proud to say that today we have more than 35% of the Australian international market.
“And we are completely committed to continually serving you the people in Australia and to getting people home and reuniting loved ones.”
The five Australian gateways are Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways said if passengers have questions about proposed travel, or are in need of consular assistance, they can be directed to their nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate, or the 24-hour DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) consular emergency centre helpline: +61 2 6261 3305 for outside Australia and 1300 555 135 for within Australia.