Qatar's Prime Minister (4th R) at Hamad International Airport in Doha
Qatar Airways announced it is to become a full member of the Oneworld airline grouping on Wednesday, becoming the only major Gulf carrier to join a global alliance. "From its first flights Wednesday morning... Qatar Airways
will be offering Oneworld?s full range of services and benefits," it said in a statement Tuesday.
Qatar Airways is the second Middle Eastern carrier -- after Royal Jordanian -- to join the alliance founded in 1998 by American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.
"Becoming a member of Oneworld is one of the most significant landmarks in Qatar Airways' history," said its CEO, Akbar al-Baker.
"It will strengthen our competitive offering."
Qatar Airways serves more than 130 destinations in 70 countries. It has a fleet of 130 aircrafts and has orders and options for more than 250 new planes for delivery over the next few years.
Qatar, a wealthy gas producer, has made huge investments in infrastructure to establish itself as an international hub before it hosts the football World Cup in 2022.
A new airport, Hamad International Airport, was scheduled to open in Doha on April 1 but has been delayed after it failed to meet new security standards.
Built at a cost of $15.5 billion, the airport will have an initial capacity to handle 30 million passengers per year, and its sponsors hope to expand that figure to 50 million by the time work finishes in 2020.
Oneworld is one of three major airline groupings, alongside Star Alliance and SkyTeam.
Source: AFP
GMT 10:44 2018 Friday ,19 January
Airbus gets early 2018 jump on rival BoeingGMT 10:39 2018 Thursday ,18 January
China's aircraft carrier sails by Taiwan as tensions growGMT 12:29 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
Airbus warns A380 programme at riskGMT 12:09 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Ritz-Carlton to re-open after holding royalsGMT 11:54 2018 Monday ,15 January
Trump says immigration deal 'probably dead'GMT 12:20 2018 Saturday ,13 January
Happy 2968! Berber New Year becomes holidayGMT 09:39 2018 Friday ,12 January
US revamps travel warning system, ranks countriesGMT 12:57 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Boeing logs record deliveries for 2017Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor