Qatar Airways is the national airline of Qatar, headquarter located in Qatar Airways Tower Doha. Qatar Airways started its operation as a small carrier company in 1994 with limited routes. In 1997 it was relaunched under the directive of The Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. He showed his commitment to uplifting the airline to world top International airlines with excellent standards of services.
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Journey of Continuous Success
Under the strongest control of Mr. Akbar Al Baker (Chief Executive of the group) appointed in 1997, Qatar Airline gain remarkable success worldwide and ranked as the topmost successful airline. The airline became the fastest-growing airline worldwide in a very limited time period.
Gradually the airline has turned into the strongest airline force in the region and globally. In no time Qatar Airlines reached the point where it gets a lot of awards and achievements under the leadership of Mr. Al Baker.
Qatar Airways has a fleet of more than 200 airplanes and approximately 43,000 persons are employed by this airline. They are providing the third largest cargo services worldwide.
In just 14 years of the relaunch in April, 2011 Qatar Airways hit a landmark of 100 destinations globally. Right after this triumph in June, 2011 Qatar Airways was awarded the name “Airline of the year 2011”.
They successfully manage to take the title for the second consecutive year “Airline of the year 2012”.
Qatar Airways is the only airline to launch the first Airbus A350. And in 2015 Qatar airline once again receive the title of “Airline of the year 2015” from Skytrax.
In Skytrax awards 2016 Qatar airways made a remarkable achievement by winning Best World’s Business Class, Business Class Best Airline Lunge, and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. After this achievement they made the biggest order of 100 Boeing aircrafts 10 (777s), 30 (787-9s), and 60 (737 MAX). This was the biggest order in the history of aviation with a total worth of 90 billion US $. For empowering their Executive services division they have made an announcement to order three G650ERs private gets in July, 2016.
By complying on Global Aeronautics Distress Safety System requirements Qatar Airline became the first international airlines providing services for minute to minute tracking of planes. They announced three times higher profit in 2016 as compared to 2015.
Qatar Airways made a strong relationship with International Airlines Group (IAG) and increased its shareholding in IAG by 20%. Both companies made an agreement for their joint working effective from 30th October, 2016.
In 2015 Al Safwa First Lounge was opened by Qatar Airways at Hamad International Airport and In 2016 Premium Lounge was opened at Dubai International Airport.
Continuing its passion Qatar Airways was again named “Airline of the year 2017” in World Airline Awards by Skytrax. In the financial year 2w017 the annual revenue of airlines has increased by 10.4 % with a net hike in profit from 21.7 % year to year.
Currently before COVID-19 outbreak Qatar Airline is approaching 150 destinations worldwide connecting America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Some interesting facts about the Worlds fastest growing airline are:
First Airbus A350 Operated By Qatar Airways
First airbus of the Worlds A350-900 take off from Doha and completed its journey towards Frankfurt on 15th January, 2015. Qatar Airways owns the tag of flying the first airbus of the World. Airbus A350 was the latest aircraft of the World at that time and is adopted by most of the airlines after that.
The cost of this airplane at that time is approximately 11 billion Euros. After successful inauguration by Qatar Airways more than 43 countries orders this machine for boosting their fleet. Qatar Airways carry 80 Airbus A350, Singapore and Etihad Airlines carry 67 and 62 respectively.
Best Airport in the World
State of the Art, Hamad International airport Doha was inaugurated in 2014 and it’s the largest airport. It is easily accessible from Doha city as it is only 10 Kilometers distanced from the city. It has been seen that the largest airports are placed aside from main cities but not in this case. This airport is tagged as the most luxurious airport in the world. Waiting lunches contain Italian leather fancy and chrome chairs for relaxing.
This airport has been awarded as the best airport in the Middle East for three continuous years. This awarding system is based on the reviews and selection of passengers. Other important factors also kept in view during selection.
Sponsored FC Barcelona
Keeping in view the changing trend Qatar Airways tied their knots with FC Barcelona, a big league of football. They sponsor FC Barcelona and for promotion select team member Lionel Messy.
In every flight he appears before every movie for entertainment played in aircrafts owned by Qatar Airways.
In safety videos played for telling the usage of oxygen masks, seat belt and handling of emergency conditions, players of FC Barcelona are casted. This attract the attention of passengers and it makes the message heavy.
A380 and Dreamliner First Operate By
Qatar airways also hold the tag of operating first modified new generation air bus A380 and Dreamliner. It’s the time when all other airlines are going to operate one of the three major air crafts but Qatar Airways have massive quantity of all these three aircrafts.
So, they are first to operate these new generation air crafts.
First Air Bus A350 Landed in U.S
Air bus A 350 first landed in US in 2016 at Philadelphia airport. It’s the flight of Qatar Airways which touch the US ground with A350.
After that airline has expanded their operations in other cities of US as well. Qatar airways announced that they will operate in US with Airbus A350-1000. This aircraft made its first landing in 2018 at New York airport.
World’s Second Best Airline
In 2018 Qatar Airline was ranked as world second best airline by Skytrax. In past years Qatar Airline was ranked many times as the first best airline of the year.
If we talk about business class than Qatar Airlines ranked at first position and third in case of economy class in 2018. Qatar airline also won many awards in the past for best airline of the Middle East and best airline lounge award.
How Qatar Airways Affected By Covid-19 Outbreak
From February-2020 to onward whole world is facing a new health emergency condition of COVID-19 outbreak which is hitting the World very hardly. All businesses worldwide are affected by this outbreak as most of the countries imposed strict lockdown.
Airlines are most affected by this pandemic conditions as all the airplanes are grounded as most of the countries shut their doors for outsiders. Airlines are facing heavy financial losses and some of the airlines are going to shut down their operations in the future.
Along with all other airline companies, Qatar Airways also facing huge financial loss and they are trying hard to manage the situation. The airline in the month of April announced that fifty percent cut off in salaries of their employees for the next three months and they said these dues will be paid after the pandemic condition over and the situation gets normalized.
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On 6th May-2020 an email memo of the CEO of Qatar Airways leaked showing that they are going to cut off their contract employees to manage the situation.
He said in the email that all the dues of these employees will be paid before they get notified about their job discontinuation. Furthermore he said that all employees who are foreigners and are unable to go to their homes in this pandemic situation will be provided with residence and food until they get back to their homes.
He said now the World has to face this bitter reality and adapt to live with this situation as it may prevail for a long time.
[…] Qatar airline‘s revenue has dropped by 80% due to this pandemic. They have no plans for further traffic cuts. Although, this carrier is still operating in one-third of their normal schedule whereas some of the flights have terminated like Etihad and Mideast rivals emirates. […]