QATAR Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker has highlighted the airline’s achievements and expansion plans including moving into the hotel business.
Appearing at the Arabian Travel Market, Al Baker outlined several new routes and orders for new planes and also said Qatar has signed up a new airline-owned airport hotel in Doha.
The Oryx Rotana is due to open in the near future aimed at corporate and leisure travellers as well as transit passengers.
It will be owned by Qatar Airways and run by Rotana but when asked if it would be a one-off Al Baker said Qatar does not do anything as a one-off and aims to own, and eventually manage, more hotels.
He said Qatar has reinforced its long-term commitment to growth with continued investment in new aircraft, new routes and improving airport infrastructure ahead of next year’s opening of the New Doha International Airport.
The award-winning airline, which picked up further accolades at the World Travel Awards, has so far launched four new routes from its Doha hub this year – Bengaluru, Copenhagen, Ankara and Tokyo – with a further three, Barcelona, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires, set to begin this month.
Supported by the arrival of more than one new aircraft per month, including the airline’s first Boeing 777 freighter, which was due for delivery in late May, as well as the opening of a new arrivals terminal in Doha, Qatar Airways’ expansion is forging ahead with vigour.
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Qatar Airways' fleet |
Al Baker said: “When Qatar Airways launched in 1997, the strategy was clear – to develop an international airline of the highest standards.
“I am delighted to say that we are well on track with our strategy, opening up routes in all corners of the world, introducing brand new aircraft into the fleet at a phenomenal rate and investing in our existing airport in Doha while the New Doha International Airport is under construction.
“Since February, we have opened up some great new routes in India, Turkey, Denmark and Japan and June will be a busy month for us as we prepare to launch flights to a second Spanish destination and enter South America for the first time.
“These are exciting times for Qatar Airways. Apart from the new aircraft and new routes, we continue to invest in our airport infrastructure in Doha.
“A brand new arrivals terminal will open soon, which will free up space at the current airport where the departures check-in area will be expanded.”
Al Baker said the New Doha International Airport is scheduled to be ready by the end of 2011 with both runways and main terminal structure already completed. The airport will have a capacity of 24 million passengers in the initial opening phase.
Qatar currently operates a modern fleet of 82 aircraft to 89 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and North America.
Long term, the fleet size is set to rise to 120 aircraft by 2013 and destinations will increase to 120 over the next three years as the airline has placed orders for more than 200 aircraft worth more than $40 billion.