Qatar Airways has chalked out a mega plan, or called it as Qatar airways new policy, of the phased rebuilding of the network, starting from May. Due to COVID-19, the airline industry is facing one of its toughest ever periods, with many carriers on the brink of collapse. Qatar Airways has recently said that it needed to ‘act decisively to protect the future of the business’. “The truth is, we simply cannot sustain the current staff numbers and will need to make a substantial number of jobs redundant – inclusive of cabin crew,” Mr Al Baker, CEO Qatar Airways wrote in an internal memo.
Qatar Airways Announces Phased Rebuilding of Network to 52* initial Destinations by End of May 2020 and 80* in June 2020.https://t.co/rYEe2HbvTj #qatarairways #airlines #airlineindustry #travel #tourism #pakistan #leisure
— Himalayan Get Away Travels & Tourism (@sadiqishaqshah) May 7, 2020
According to the latest media report, the Persian Gulf carrier has announced phased rebuilding of the network to an initial 52 destinations by the end of May and 80 in June, subject to regulatory approval. The destinations span across Africa, Asia-Pacific, North America, Middle-East and Europe. In India, the airline plans to start operations to New Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bangalore (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Hyderabad (HYD), Ahmedabad (AMD), Amritsar (ATQ), Calicut (CCJ), Kochi (COK), Goa (GOI), and Trivandrum (TRV), the airline said in a statement.
It is important to note that in order to counter coronavirus threat, Qatar Airways has been maintaining the highest possible hygiene standards, which include the regular disinfection of aircraft, the use of cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and thermal screening of crew.
Our main priority is to get you home while upholding our robust safety and health standards as we continue to operate flights to over 35 destinations. Please find latest updates#TakingYouHomehttps://t.co/4ZFVppju5A
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) May 4, 2020
Notably, Qatar Airways has crowned the best airline in the world for 2019, according to the consumer-aviation website Skytrax. The airline moved up one spot from the 2018 list when it ranked second behind Singapore Airlines, which was placed second on this year’s list. The website ranked airlines based on over 21 million survey responses from airline passengers.
Notably, prior to the Qatar airways new policy, on June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt cut diplomatic ties and trade relations with Qatar, closing land, air and sea links, as they accused Doha of supporting ‘terrorism’ and their regional rival, Iran. Doha vehemently denies the charges and says the boycott aims to impinge on its sovereignty. With the help of Qatar Airways, the country proved to be a self-reliant state by expanding its destinations. It also paid attention to coming out as a new global tourist destination and sport-loving nation.
Going back in time Qatar Airways took a very conservative approach to its growth starting with one Airbus A310 and one Boeing 767 and 75 staff on November 22, 1993.
Operations began on January 20, 1994, and the first services were to Amman in Jordan in May of that year. By April 1995 the network included destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Cairo, Dubai, Khartoum, Kuwait, Madras, Manila, Muscat, Sharjah, Taipei, Tokyo, and Trivandrum.
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To start with the airline used leased aircraft for its considered expansion but in 1998 it placed a firm order with Airbus for six Airbus A320s. However, with the basis of a solid airline proven, in 2001 Qatar Airways became Airbus’s ninth customer for the A380 with an order for two and two options.
But that was just a taste of what was to come. At the 2003 Paris Air Show, Qatar Airways placed an order with Airbus valued at US$5.1 billion for 18 aircraft and in the same year it became the first airline to be audited under the new IATA operational safety audit (IOSA) program.
In 2007 the airline stamped itself as a major global player with an order for 80 Airbus A350 XWBs and 65 Boeing 787s and 27 777s and these are the fleets that have been the bedrock of the airline’s expansion over the past 10 years.
Qatar Airways on its way to expand business
Qatar Airways has partnered with Katara Hospitality — the global hotel owner, developer, and operator — as a hotel partner for the special packages. The airline is offering special packages to those visiting the country. It is important to note that Qatar airways’ new policy is likely to help it expand its operations.
“A memorable experience awaits guests of all ages with distinguished hotels across Qatar including The Ritz-Carlton, Doha; Sheraton Grand Doha; Sharq Village & Spa; Al Messila Resort & Spa; Simaisma Resort; Sealine Beach Resort; The Avenue Hotel; and Movenpick Hotel Doha,” a statement from the organizers said.
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Qatar Airways and IndiGo have signed a one-way codeshare agreement. In a regulatory filing, InterGlobe Aviation – the parent company of budget airline operator IndiGo – said the agreement is in-line with its international expansion plans and will enable Qatar Airways to place its code on IndiGo flights between Doha and Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. IndiGo said this marks its second codeshare agreement as a part of its growth strategy for international markets. Shares in InterGlobe Aviation rose nearly 2 per cent after the announcement. Qatar Airways new policy is likely to help complete these projects.
Similarly, a few days ago, Qatar Airways has agreed to take a 60 per cent stake in a new $1.3bn international airport in Rwanda, the state-run Rwanda Development Board said.