Etihad triples seats to Mumbai and Delhi, announces massive increase in India flights

by Devesh Agarwal

Etihad Airways has wasted no time in capitalising on its recent bonanza of seat quota increase under the new India UAE (Abu Dhabi) bi-laterial air services agreement (BASA).

It has announced a massive increase in flights to most of its destinations in India. Specifically

• Mumbai and New Delhi: from 7 to 14 flights per week with immediate effect
• Kochi: from 7 to 14 flights per week from June 2014
• Bangalore and Chennai: from 7 to 14 flights per week from July 2014
• Hyderabad: from 7 to 14 flights per week from October 2014

Cocking a snoot at the on-going legal proceedings challenging the BASA and Etihad's 24% stake investment in Jet Ariways, the gulf carrier has doubled the number of flights and tripled the number of seats between Abu Dhabi and Mumbai and New Delhi.

Etihad Airbus A330-200. Image copyright Vedant Agarwal. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Under the expanded schedules, effective immediately, new mid-afternoon services to Mumbai and New Delhi are operated with single-aisle Airbus A320s, each seating 136 passengers, and existing late evening departures have been upgraded to larger aircraft.

On the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai route, the evening flight is now operated with 292-seat Airbus A340-600 aircraft, seating 12 passengers in Diamond First Class, 32 in Pearl Business Class and 248 in Coral Economy. This will add 2,044 seats per week from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, taking the total from 952 to 2,996 seats in each direction – just over triple the previous capacity.

On the Abu Dhabi – New Delhi route, the evening service has been upgraded to a 254-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft, seating 18 guests in Business Class and 236 in Economy. This will add 1,778 seats per week to and from New Delhi, increasing from 952 seats to 2,730 in each direction – almost triple the previous capacity.

Etihad A340-600. Photo courtesy Wikipedia. Photo copyright Maarten Visser. Used under CC license.

On the Chennai and Kochi routes, from June 2014 Etihad will upgrade its aircraft to Airbus A321s, seating 174 passengers from the existing A320s which seat 136 passengers. There is no mention of any aircraft change at Bangalore where Etihad operates a daily A320, where both its fellow gulf competitors Emirates and Qatar Airways operate A330 and Boeing 777 wide-body services.

Outlining a strategy to use Abu Dhabi as a hub to funnel-in passengers from India on to Europe, US, middle-east and Africa, James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways said

“India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing air travel markets, and will play an increasingly important role in our growth,” “Subject to receiving regulatory approvals, we will continue to expand our Abu Dhabi – India operations and work with our growing stable of partners to accommodate strong growth and deliver much greater choice for travel to and from India.” “Through our purchase of 24 per cent of Jet Airways – the first foreign investment permitted in an Indian airline – we have laid the foundations for major and exciting growth in air services between Abu Dhabi and India, and beyond throughout our global network,”

The new Etihad Airways flights will also be marketed by Jet Airways as an extension of the airlines’ existing codeshare partnership.

This is just a preview of what India can expect from all three gulf carriers in the years to come. With their hundred billion dollar aircraft orders, one shudders to think of the sheer capacity these airlines will add in the next decade; and the capacity they will be able to dump in the Indian market.

Etihad's actions are bound to have impact on national carrier Air India who is trying to expand services to Europe and North America in its revival efforts. Fellow gulf majors Emirates and Qatar Airways will also start feeling the pinch. It remains to be seen what strategy Etihad adopts to start filling those 200% extra seats, though pricing is a sure-fire way to the Indian passenger's heart.

Share your thoughts on this development via a comment.

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Analysis: Indian leaders should learn from the Dubai order bonanza

by Devesh Agarwal

Value of orders at the show exceed India's annual tax revenues

The recently concluded Dubai Air Show 2013 broke all records for aircraft orders placed at an air show. Driven by the “Gulf Big 3”, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways, the show clocked orders exceeding a mind-boggling, $206 billion, underscoring the power shift in the commercial airline industry to the Gulf, and in the process toppling the crown long held by air shows like Farnborough and Paris.

These gulf carriers have long eclipsed their western competitors like Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, in fleets, passengers, and routes, and with their new swanky shopper paradise airports, are now, giving the highly respected Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines a run for their money. European governments are now resorting to restrictive tactics to slow the growth of these behemoths, while in the United States, aviation industry professionals are calling on their government to stop US Exim Bank funding of aircraft exports to these airlines.

How have these three gulf airlines come to become such a massive force in global commercial aviation? Several factors have led to this.

Over the last 50 years while the entire middle-east earned significant money from oil and gas, the three tiny city-states of Dubai, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi were relatively small players in the oil world compared to their neighbours Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran.

Credit must go to rulers of these countries who realised, early on, the need to develop alternate industries to oil. Using the income from oil and the advantage of their geographic location, the Emirs and Sheikhs of these three Gulf states should be applauded for having the business acumen to rely on a history of trade going back millennia, and embarking on a long-term vision to link various countries together, this time transporting people not just goods.

Through a coordinated action plan, they recruited good industry professionals as leaders, invested in aviation infrastructure, not limiting themselves to airlines, aircraft, and airports, but slowly and surely entering in to all the support and peripheral businesses, an aviation hub requires. Ground handling, flight kitchens, maintenance, repair, engineering, aviation IT, and now aero components manufacturing. And many of these businesses are no longer confined to their home states.

The results are nothing short of astounding. Growing from just one leased aircraft, in less than 30 years, Emirates of Dubai has grown to become the largest airline in the world measured by scheduled international passenger-kilometres flown, and the third largest airline by capacity measured in available seat-kilometres (ASKs). dnata, part of the Emirates group, is today, one of the largest suppliers of air services in the world offering aircraft ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services across five continents and 37 countries, and Dubai airport ranks up amongst the best.

In a “if they can do it, so can I” mode, Qatar Airways has also grown to become a member of the oneworld alliance, while fellow emirati carrier Etihad Airways is growing leaps and bounds, both organically, and inorganically. While their European competitors are shrinking, the Gulf Big 3 have all become members of the “six continents club”. Today, anyone can fly from almost any location to almost any destination, anywhere on the planet, on each of these three carriers, with just one stop in their gulf home base.

Another demonstration of the clout of these airlines is the way in which they have essentially forced the two large aircraft companies Boeing and Airbus to develop new aircraft specific to their requirements. The Boeing 777X is a classic example. The size of this mini-jumbo coupled with the long range is exactly what Tim Clark, the boss of Emirates, has been demanding from some time now. It may not suit 90% of Boeing’s customers, but for the Gulf Big 3, it is perfect. The 777X will carry up to 400 passengers from Clark's Dubai hub, to Los Angeles in west and Auckland in the east. Developing aircraft is a multi-billion dollar gamble, and buying aircraft worth hundreds of billion to be delivered only after six years shows the long term commitment and confidence these airlines and their sheikh/emir owners have.

India’s contribution

The politicians of India, along with other countries in South Asia and Africa should claim credit for the growth of these carriers.

Shackling their national carriers in subservience, they readily gave up their national markets, enabling these fledglings to grow in to behemoths carrying the ever increasing international travellers from these emerging economies to destinations in Europe and North America.

The three carriers have muscled their way, using any and all means, to gain massive seat allocations. As an example, with 189 flights and over 50,000 seats per week, Emirates is considered the unofficial national carrier of India. Its market share of India’s international traffic is over 14%, and India contributes at least 11% of Emirates' world-wide traffic. Qatar Airways with about 100 flights has similar demographics, and very recently, Etihad used its clout to get an almost 300% increase in seat allocations from India. One can expect Emirates and Qatar, to use Etihad as an example, and come back to the Indians demanding more.

Orders more than India’s tax revenues

To put $206 billion in perspective. At Rs. 61 to a dollar, it is Rs. 12,56,600 crores, compare this to Rs. 12,35,870 crores, the total amount of taxes the Government of India is hoping collect this fiscal year. Even at a 35% discount, the orders add up to Rs. 8,17,000 crore which is close to the total tax collected by central government, net of the share given to the states. Staggering is the only word that comes to mind.

Jobs and industry

The Gulf rulers ensure further development of the aviation industry in their countries. Boeing forecasts the region will require 40,000 pilots and 53,100 technicians, at an expected annual rate of 2,000 pilots and 2,600 technicians, over the next 20 years. Mubadala Development Company PJSC a wholly owned investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, has obtained manufacturing ventures and purchase committments from both Airbus and Boeing of at least $5 billion each in new age technologies like carbon-fibre, special coatings, heat treatments, and other aerospace parts. Similar commitments were taken from major sub-system vendors like engine manufacturers GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce.

India’s civil aviation, foreign, and commerce ministers would serve their nation better by learning from the Gulf instead of spouting platitudes on how the massive increase in Etihad’s seat allocation will be good for the Indian consumer.

Share your thoughts on the power shift via a comment.

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Qatar Airways announces new route to Edinburgh

By BA Staff

Qatar Airways will begin five flights weekly to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh effective 28 May 2014.

The new route will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration, offering passengers 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats.

QR 027 departs Doha (DOH) at 08:00 on all days except Tuesdays and Thursdays and arrives Edinburgh (EDI) at 13:15
QR 028 departs Edinburgh (EDI) at 14:45 on all days except Tuesdays and Thursdays and arrives Doha (DOH) at 23:40

In 2013, Qatar Airways has launched eleven destinations to date – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman), Basra (Iraq), Sulaymaniyah (Iraq), Chengdu (China), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Ta’if (Saudi Arabia) and most recently Clark Manila International Airport (Philippines).

Over the next few weeks and months, the airline will expand its network with services to Hangzhou, China (December 20, 2013), Sharjah and Dubai World Central, both in the UAE (March 1, 2014), Philadelphia, USA (April 2, 2014) and Miami, USA (June 10, 2014).

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Qatar Airways Cargo order five new Airbus A330-200F freighters

By BA Staff

Qatar Airways A330-200F. Image courtesy Airbus S.A.S.

Qatar Airways has placed a firm order for five new Airbus A330-200 Freighter aircraft in an agreement signed at the Dubai Airshow 2013.

These new aircraft will complement the airline's rapidly growing network, which includes more than 40 routes that have dedicated freighter services.

Included in the order are eight additional A330-200F options – which would make the deal potentially worth over $2.8bn at list prices for a total of 13 aircraft.

Qatar Airways Cargo already operates three A330-200Fs since earlier this year.

Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO said:

“The A330 Family has demonstrated outstanding operational reliability and performance for both our passenger and cargo transport operations. It is with this in mind that we chose to expand our freighter fleets with more A330-200Fs. We aim to be the best in everything we do, the air cargo market is no different, which is why we ordered the most modern and economic cargo aircraft available in its category.”

Airbus President and CEO, Fabrice Brégier said:

“Qatar Airways is one of our key partners in the region, and its selection of the A330-200F illuminates its ambitious plans as the airline expands and invests in new freighter aircraft. The A330-200F, with up to 70 metric tonnes of payload, is the only viable alternative to large freighters in today’s fast changing market, making it an ideal choice for a constantly evolving carrier.”

Qatar Airways received its first Airbus aircraft in 1997. Today Airbus aircraft form an ever more essential cornerstone of Qatar Airways’ global operations with more than 200 aircraft directly ordered across all modern Airbus product families, from the single-aisle A320 all the way up to the flagship A380.

Aimed at replacing ageing mid-sized freighters, the A330-200F offers an alternative to larger freighters within fleets. It builds on the successful A330 twin-jet platform and can carry 70 tonnes of payload, with a range capability of up to 4,000nm.

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Boeing launches 777X program - images and video

by Devesh Agarwal

Boeing 777-9X. Boeing image.

The Dubai Airshow is known for releasing multi-billion dollar orders from the major Gulf carriers, and yesterday was no exception.

Boeing was the clear winner on day one of the show, and the star was the yet to be commenced Boeing 777X program which is an upgrade of the already ultra-popular Boeing 777 twin engine wide body jetliner which today commands 71% of the in-service fleet worldwide.

Video at the end of the story

Despite receiving a order for 34 777-9X from German carrier Lufthansa two months ago, Boeing formally launched the 777X program at the 2013 Dubai Airshow, in deference to its largest 777 customer, Dubai-based Emirates airline, whose CEO, Tim Clark, has been the biggest demander of the new aircraft. (Watch a video of Tim Clark talking about wide body aircraft including the 777X).

Reflecting customer faith in the yet to be developed aircraft, Boeing took in orders and commitments for a whopping 225 aircraft, racking up its tally to 259, making the 777X, the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history by value.

Boeing image

Boeing received orders and commitments from Etihad Airways with 25 77X aircraft (17 777-9X and 8 777-8X), Qatar Airways with 50 777-9X; and Emirates with 150 777X (115 777-9X and 35 777-8X), with an option for 50 more. The combined value of the agreements is more than $95 billion at list prices.

The consistent large orders from the Gulf majors is not unexpected. As Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates, explained

"In recent years, much of the action in global aviation has shifted to the Middle East because countries like the U.A.E. and Qatar have tapped into our geographical advantage to build new air transport connections for the world,"

The 777X will build on the market leading 777 and will introduce new technologies in multiple places. A new composite wing similar to the 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 Jumbo will feature folding raked wingtips, allowing the new plane to fit into existing gates at airports. The new GE9X is touted as the most advanced commercial engine ever. Giving airlines what they desire most, lower seat-mile costs.

Mini-jumbo battle

Boeing 777-9X and 777-8X CGI. Boeing image.

The existing 777-300ER (77W) will be upgraded to the 777-9X with a list price of $377.2 million, an expected entry in to service (EIS) date of 2020, range of 8,200 nm (15,185 km), and passenger capacity of 406. The 777-200LR will be upgraded to the ultra-long-haul (ULH) 777-8X with a list price of $349.8 million, an EIS about 18 months after the -9X, range of 9,300 nm (17,220 km), and passenger capacity of 350 which is close to that of the existing 777-300ER.

The "mini-jumbo" segment is hotly contested, pitting the 777X against the A350 XWB from European major, Airbus.

While Boeing claims "the 777-8X competes directly with the A350-1000, while the 777-9X is in a class by itself", Airbus counters saying Boeing has driven up passenger numbers to justify operating economics using the ultra-dense 17 inch width seating, as practised by Emirates and Etihad, when compared to the wider 18 inch seat width used by Airbus to arrive at its 350 seat A350-1000, which is due to enter service in 2017.

Video of 777X

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Dubai Airshow 2013 starts with record breaking orders

As expected the Dubai Airshow opened today with a record breaking order book.

Within three hours of opening, the show’s order tally reached US $162.6 billion – surpassing its previous record of US $155 billion record set in 2007 – with deals coming from Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, flydubai and Qatar Airways.

The opening order came from Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways which announced a deal for 56 new Boeing 777s valued at US$25.2 billion at list prices, including related GE engines. The deal also sees Etihad become the launch customer for the 777-8X which is expected to enter service in 2022.

The airline also ordered 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, making Etihad the largest customer for the composite aircraft.

James Hogan, President and CEO, Etihad Airways said

“We rarely make announcements at air shows, but when we do the world listens,”

Dubai-headquartered Emirates Airline rapidly re-wrote the Dubai Airshow record with news of a US$99 billion purchase of Boeing and Airbus planes – which industry experts dubbed the largest-ever aircraft order in civil aviation.

The Emirates headline deal was for 150 Boeing 777X, plus 50 purchase rights, and an additional 50 Airbus A380 superjumbos - of which Emirates is currently the largest fleet operator.

Low-cost airline FlyDubai weighed in with a US$11.4 billion order for 111 Boeing 737s and 738s, and then Qatar Airways topped off the morning’s historic agreements with the signing of a US$19 billion letter of intent for 54 Boeing 777s.

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Qatar Airways increases China presence with flights to Hangzhou

By BA Staff


Qatar Airways announced it will begin flights to Hangzhou, China beginning 20 December 2013. The non-stop service from Doha to Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, will fly four-times-weekly.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said:

“This year we celebrate 10 years of flying to China. The addition of our seventh route in China will provide additional connectivity for business and leisure travellers connecting from Asia, the Middle East and GCC countries. Just two months after the launch of the Chengdu service, we are able to offer our passengers even more options for flying into China with the addition of Hangzhou.”

An Airbus A330 will be operated on the Doha – Hangzhou route. The aircraft will feature 260 seats with 24 seats in Business Class and 236 seats in Economy. Selected aircrafts will feature seatback TV screens.


Qatar Airways began operations to China in 2003 with the launch non-stop flights to Shanghai, with the airline further expanding its portfolio over the past decade with the addition of Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Chongqing and Chengdu.

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Qatar Airways launches new route to Philippines

By BA Staff

Qatar Airways has launched daily non-stop daily flights to Clark Manila International Airport in the Philippines.

The Clark airport route is operated with an Airbus A330 in a two-class configuration of up to 248 seats in Economy and up to 36 in Business Class.

Clark International Airport is located about 96km from Manila City Centre and a complimentary bus service will be available to take passengers to and from Trinoma Mall and Resorts World Manila (conveniently located opposite of Manila International Airport (MNL) terminal 3).

As an inaugural offer, Qatar is offering its passengers an exceptional baggage allowance of up to 40 kgs valid for travel until 31 January 2014. Members of Qatar Airways’ frequent flyer programme Privilege Club can earn up to 7,000 bonus Qmiles in Economy Class and 14,000 bonus Qmiles in Business Class for travel on a return trip between 27 October and 31 December 2013.


The destination becomes Qatar Airways’ 12th gateway in Southeast Asia after Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, Hanoi, Singapore, Manila, Yangon and Phuket, and the carrier’s 133rd destination worldwide.

Images courtesy Qatar Airways

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Qatar Airways joins oneworld alliance

by Devesh Agarwal

Flag carrier Qatar Airways becomes part of oneworld® alliance at midnight Doha time tonight, becoming the first carrier from the burgeoning Gulf region to join join any airline alliance. Qatar also joins fellow middle-east carrier Royal Jordanian which is a member of oneworld.

QR633 which departs from Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka for Doha at 03.15 local (00.15 Doha time) and QR1166 from Doha for Riyadh, leaving five minutes later at 00.20 Doha time, will the first flights of Qatar Airways as a oneworld member.

The airline completed its induction procedures within just one year, compared to the typical 18 to 24 months taken to join an alliance.

Qatar Airways, which serves more than 130 destinations in 70 countries will bring 20 of its destinations and five countries – Ethiopia, Iran, Rwanda, Serbia and Tanzania – to the oneworld map. The airline will bring more one-stop transit options for passengers flying between Asia and Europe or between Asia and Africa hitherto less available or unavailable within the oneworld network.

oneworld livery

image courtesy oneworld®

At a ceremony to mark its entry into oneworld, held at Hamad International Airport, which is to be Qatar Airway's new base in the future, the airline “unveiled” the first aircraft in its fleet to be decorated in a special oneworld livery, Boeing 777-300ER registration A7-BAA.

Its distinctive design features “oneworld” in blue letters some 6 ft (2 metre) high along a white fuselage and the airline’s standard tailfin. The airline will decorate three other aircraft in its fleet in this special livery – another 777 and two Airbus A320s.

Starting tonight, oneworld logos will be applied by the side passenger entrance doors on Qatar Airway’s entire fleet of 130 aircraft as part of a massive rebranding programme that will also see the alliance logo added virtually wherever the Qatar Airways name is displayed – at airport check-in desks and signage, on its website, tickets, boarding passes and all items of stationery.

Frequent flier programme

All cardholders in the airline's Privilege Club frequent flyer programme are being sent new membership cards, bearing the oneworld logo and “gemstone” tier indicator. Platinum cardholders will have Emerald status in the oneworld programme, Gold will be equivalent to oneworld Sapphire and Silver will be oneworld Ruby.

The airline is offering a ‘Double miles’ offer to frequent flyer members to celebrate its induction into the alliance. Privilege Club members will receive double Qmiles award miles when flying on Qatar Airways and its oneworld partners between 15 November and 31 January (except between 20 December and 5 January), and (till 24 January for Cathay Pacific). Likewise, oneworld member frequent fliers will receive double mileage when flying Qatar. Please visit the respective airlines' websites for specific information.

Premium passenger terminal only for revenue passengers

Doha Premium Passenger Terminal. Photo © Devesh Agarwal.

From midnight tonight, Privilege Club Platinum and Gold members will be able to access more than 550 airport lounges worldwide offered by oneworld member airlines when they fly with one of the alliance’s carriers.

Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers will also be able to use oneworld partner airline lounges. As oneworld Emeralds, Privilege Club Platinum cardholders will be able to use First Class lounges, where available, and receive an additional baggage allowance and access fast tracks through departure security at select airports.

However, the reciprocation at Doha is not quite equitable. The airline in a release stated that oneworld elite tier passengers flying in economy class would be provided basic lounge facilities in the main terminal at Doha. The premium terminal will be reserved for revenue first and business class passengers only.

Facilities at Qatar Airways' Premium Passenger Terminal at its Doha hub will continue to be accessible only by customers holding First Class or Business Class tickets on Qatar Airways.

What does Qatar's induction mean for India

Qatar Airways as of now is the second largest international carrier to India, with 100+ weekly flights. Earlier this year, Malaysia Airlines joined oneworld, and SriLankan will join the alliance early next year, thus ring-fencing the sub-continent.

In one fell swoop, oneworld now will become the dominant alliance operating in India, and will be a credible alternative to the Star Alliance. Qatar offers competitive connections to most of Europe, and existing members British Airways and Finnair will definitely feel the pinch. Similarly, connections to Africa, and South America, will make joining the alliance interesting for the frequent flier. As of now, the two best frequent flier programmes within the oneworld alliance appears to be American Airline's AAdvantage, and British Airway's Executive Club.

Indian carriers are still dilly-dallying about joining an alliance. Kingfisher was to join oneworld, before its financial implosion. For some unknown reason Air India wants to join only Star, even if the alliance will not have it. With Etihad now in control of Jet, there is no way, it will join oneworld thanks to opposition by Qatar and Royal Jordanian. Turkish would like to keep Etihad out of Star, leaving SkyTeam, where Etihad already has a strategic alliance with Air France-KLM.

oneworld’s biggest membership expansion drive

The addition of Qatar Airways represents the latest landmark in oneworld’s biggest membership expansion yet. Other elements elsewhere in the world include:

• The addition of Malaysia Airlines, strengthening oneworld’s position in South East Asia.
• The induction on 1 October 2013 of LAN Colombia, the second largest airline in South America’s second biggest economy.
• The transition to oneworld on 31 March 2014 by TAM, the leading airline in Latin America’s leading economy, Brazil, with its Paraguayan affiliate to be added soon afterwards. This will complete the consolidation in oneworld of all the passenger carriers in LATAM Airlines Group, the region’s leading airline company, building on oneworld’s position as the leading global airline alliance serving Latin America.
• The introduction early next year of SriLankan Airlines, as the first airline from the Indian subcontinent to join any global alliance, which, with Qatar Airways, will make oneworld the leading alliance in the region.
• The proposed switch by US Airways from Star to oneworld as part of its planned merger with American Airlines, subject to necessary approvals.

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Qatar Airways to fly to Miami from June 2014

by Devesh Agarwal

Image courtesy Qatar Airways

Flag carrier, Qatar Airways, has announced Miami to be its sixth destination in the United States with flights beginning June 10, 2014.

The airline will offer four non-stop flights a week from Doha using a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft in a two class configuration with 42 lie-flat seats in business class, and 217 seats in economy.

The proposed schedule dove-tails well with flights to the Indian sub-continent, which arrive in to Doha early morning, and depart at night.

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
QR777 departs Doha 08:40 (8:40am) arrives Miami MIA 17:20 (5:20pm). Travel time: 15h40m.
QR778 departs Miami 21:15 (9:15pm) arrives Doha 18:20 (6:20pm) the next day. Travel time: 14h20m.

As it prepares to enter the oneworld alliance, this is a good move by Qatar Airways as Miami is the gateway to Latin America for oneworld original member American Airlines. Qatar already operates to American's hub in Chicago, and to Houston, New York (JFK), and Washington D.C. (Dulles), and will add Philadelphia in April 2014.

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oneworld takes its sixth 'best alliance' title of the year

By BA Staff

Readers of Business Traveller magazine have voted oneworld Best Airline Alliance in the magazine’s 2013 readers’ poll.

This is the sixth “best alliance” honor oneworld has received in major international industry award schemes in the past year, a record for any global airline alliance – and it comes as oneworld undergoes the biggest expansion program in its history.

Already in the past 12 months, oneworld has been named best airline alliance in:

• The 2013 World Airline Awards, staged by the Skytrax airline quality ratings agency.
• Global Traveler’s GT Tested Reader Survey 2012 Awards for the third year running.
• World Travel Awards 2012 for the 10th consecutive year.
• Australian Business Traveller 2012 for the second year running.
• The 2012 debut alliance Flight Stats On-Time Performance Awards.
• The Business Traveller award – which oneworld last won in 2005 – was presented at a ceremony in London.   oneworld Vice-President  Corporate Communications received the trophy on behalf of the alliance from BBC TV news anchor Fiona Bruce.

oneworld members also flew high in the individual airline categories of the Business Traveller 2013 awards.

British Airways took the overall top title as Best Airline, with Qatar Airways, which will join oneworld on 30 October, and Cathay Pacific also placed in the top five.

British Airways also took top honors as Best Shorthaul Airline, Best First Class, Best Frequent Flyer Programme and Best Airport Lounge.  Qatar Airways took the award for Best Business Class.

The awards, widely recognised as a benchmark for excellence, are based on a vote by readers of Business Traveller magazine – which has editions for the UK, USA, Asia-Pacific, Germany, Middle East, China, Africa, Hungary, Denmark and Poland – with the results authenticated by an independent auditing company.

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Qatar Airways modifies Privilege Club frequent flier programme

By BA Staff

Photo courtesy and copyright Qatar Airways

Ahead of its joining the oneworld alliance, Qatar Airways unveiled details of its exciting new enhancements made to the airline’s frequent flyer programme – Privilege Club. Speaking about the loyalty programme, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that customer loyalty is very important to the airline’s growth strategy:

Since Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club loyalty programme launch in 2000, it has firmly established itself as one of the leading frequent flyer reward programmes in the industry, with benefits designed with the traveller in mind. This is an exciting time to be a Qatar Airways Privilege Club member. As a “thank you” to our many loyal members who have been with the programme since its inception, we are delighted to offer enhanced member benefits.

Some of the new introductions include: 

Introduction of the New Platinum Tier:

Platinum will be introduced as the highest tier level in the programme, offering superior benefits and privileges to members who have earned at least 600 Qpoints within a 12 month period. Qpoints are awarded to members to achieve a particular membership status.

Some of the exciting benefits for Platinum members include:

• Tier bonus of  an additional 100% of the base miles
• Qcredits- a new reward benefit which can be redeemed for a selection of services
• No Qmiles expiry as long as Platinum members retain the Platinum tier.
• 5% online discount on award tickets
• Special discount for purchases at Qatar Duty Free

Qcredits:

A brand new reward benefit, Qcredits will be awarded to Gold and Platinum members and can be redeemed for a selection of services such as complimentary upgrades and Excess Baggage on Qatar Airways flights, payment of award fees (incurred during the change / cancellation of award tickets) and guest lounge access at Doha International Airport.

New Tier Qualification And Renewal Thresholds:

Upgrades to the next membership tier will now be easy to achieve as Qpoints earned within any 12 month period will be evaluated daily. Privilege Club’s tier renewal criteria has been modified to consider flights in the last 12 or 24 months to make tier renewal more convenient.

Enhanced Member Benefits:

The Family programme which allows main members to pool their Qmiles for quicker awards will be offered to the entire Privilege Club member base. In addition to spouse and children, main members will be able to nominate parents as family members

• Reduced fees and surcharges applicable on award tickets
• Enrolment age into the programme has been reduced to 12 years to encourage young frequent travellers to have their own membership accounts
• Qmiles that have expired or are about to expire can be extended for a minimal fee

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Qatar Airways and British Airways partner on frequent flyer programmes

by BA Staff

Doha-based Qatar Airways has announced a frequent flyer programme (FFP) partnership with its oneworld sponsor, British Airways.

From October 1 onwards, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members and British Airways Executive Club members can earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights.

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PHOTOS: Qatar Airways' first A380 has its maiden flght

by BA Staff

Image Credit: Airbus

Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways's first Airbus A380 superjumbo took off from Tolouse on its maiden flight to Hamburg on 9th September, where the aircraft will undergo cabin installation before being painted.

Qatar Airways will take delivery of its first A380 sometime early in 2014, becoming the 11th operator of the A380. Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of 117 passenger aircraft, serving 121 destinations around the globe, with an additional 172 aircraft on order, including 10 A380s (with 3 additional purchase options). Qatar Airways' A380s are expected to seat 517 passengers in a 3 class configuration (8F / 52J / 457Y).

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Qatar Airways to join oneworld alliance on October 30

by BA Staff

Doha-based Qatar Airways will become a full member of oneworld®, the alliance of airlines, from Wednesday 30 October 2013, becoming the first of the GB3 (Gulf Big 3) slated to join any of the global airline alliances.

It received clearance to board oneworld after successfully completing a thorough review of its readiness, conducted by British Airways, which is sponsoring Qatar Airways’ entry into the alliance, with oneworld’s central team.

Qatar Airways completes its oneworld implementation programme just one year after receiving its invitation to join, announced at a press conference in the alliance’s New York home in October 2012. This will make its induction into oneworld one of the fastest in the alliance’s history. Normally it takes around 18 months for any airline to be readied to enter any alliance.

Qatar Airways’ addition to oneworld will come shortly before the airline moves into its new home base, Hamad International Airport, which has been designed to strengthen Doha’s position as a premium global hub, with an eventual capacity for 50 million passengers a year.

From Wednesday, October 30, Qatar Airways will offer oneworld’s full range of services and benefits. The three million members of Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club loyalty programme will enjoy frequent flyer privileges whenever they fly with any oneworld member airlines – airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and some 30 affiliated airlines. This includes earning and redeeming Qmiles for awards and earning Qpoints for tier status when flying with all these airlines.

oneworld member airlines with designate Qatar Airways

Privilege Club Platinum cardholders will have Emerald status in the oneworld programme. Privilege Club Gold will be equivalent to oneworld Sapphire and Privilege Club Silver will be oneworld Ruby.

From 30 October, Privilege Club Platinum and Gold members will be able to access 550 airport lounges worldwide offered by oneworld member airlines when they fly with one of the alliance’s carriers. Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers will also be able to use oneworld partner airline lounges.

Also from 30 October, the 130 million members of the established oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will be able to earn and redeem awards and tier status points and receive all other oneworld benefits on Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways is already participating in Global Explorer, the round-the-world fare offered by all oneworld members and various airlines that are not part of the alliance.

More than 20 of its destinations and five countries – Ethiopia, Iran, Rwanda, Serbia and Tanzania – will be new to the oneworld map. More significantly, Qatar Airways will substantially strengthen the alliance’s customer offering by providing superior routing alternatives across many hundreds of city pairs. For example, passengers flying between Asia and Southern Europe or between Asia and Africa will now have convenient one-stop connections not previously available within the oneworld network.

The alliance is currently undergoing the biggest expansion in its history with:

• The addition of Malaysia Airlines, one of this industry’s most frequent award winners, six months ago, further strengthening oneworld’s position in South East Asia, one of the fastest growing regions for air travel demand.
• The switch in the second quarter of next year to oneworld from the Star Alliance by TAM, the leading airline in Latin America’s leading economy, Brazil, along with its Paraguayan affiliate, following the addition to oneworld on 1 October 2013 of the newest member of the LAN group, LAN Colombia, solidifying oneworld’s position as the leading alliance in Latin America.
• The introduction early next year of SriLankan Airlines, as the first airline from the Indian subcontinent to join any global alliance, which, with Qatar Airways, will make oneworld the leading alliance in the region.
• In addition, US Airways proposes to switch from Star to oneworld as part of its planned merger with American Airlines, subject to necessary approvals.

With Qatar Airways and the other airlines lining up to join, oneworld will:

• Serve almost a thousand airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,000 daily departures.
• Carry 480 million passengers a year on a combined fleet of almost 3,500 aircraft.
• Generate US$ 140 billion annual revenues.

Qatar Airways’ oneworld implementation programme has represented one of the most extensive projects in the airline’s 16-year history, with working groups covering some 20 streams of activity. Projects are nearing completion to bring its various internal processes and procedures into line with the alliance’s requirements, and extensive employee training and communications programmes are now underway at Qatar Airways and the alliance’s established members, to ensure they are ready to provide oneworld’s customer services and benefits across the expanded alliance from 30 October.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said:

“In Qatar Airways’ relatively short history, we have quickly established a reputation for innovation, quality and excellence in everything we do. We are pleased to build on that by becoming the only major airline from the Gulf to date to be joining any of the global airline alliances. We are proud to entering the best of them, in oneworld – and to be doing so in record quick time. We very much look forward to flying alongside some of the best airlines in the world from 30 October, bringing the heightened benefits offered by oneworld to our customers.”

oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby said:

“Quality has always been the hallmark of oneworld, so we are pleased to be adding to our alliance another of the world’s highest quality airlines, in Qatar Airways. oneworld aims to be the first choice alliance for frequent international travelers the world over. Qatar Airways will significantly improve our connectivity between many of the destinations that are most important to those customers. We look forward to welcoming it and its customers on board the world’s leading airline alliance.”

Images courtesy oneworld and Qatar Airways

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MAPS: Qatar Airways expands Doha hub in Winter 2013/14

by BA Staff

Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways has announced an expansion of its Doha hub with new frequencies to Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East for the IATA Winter 2013/14 season. The details can be found below.

• Jakarta - Frequency increases from 11 weekly to double daily (14x weekly)
• Yangon - Frequency increases from 3x weekly to daily (7x weekly)
• Dubai - Frequency increases from 11x daily to 13x daily
• Bahrain - Frequency increases from 6x daily to 7x daily
• Moscow (Domodedovo) - Frequency increases from 10x weekly to 12x weekly
• Belgrade/Sofia/Ankara/Bucharest - All receive one extra frequency per week
• Islamabad - Frequency increased from 4x weekly to daily

These routes are shown in the map below (Al-Manama is Bahrain).

Maps generated by the Great Circle Mapper - copyright © Karl L. Swartz.

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Qatar Airways commences Doha Chengdu flights

by BA Staff

Doha-based Qatar Airways commenced scheduled thrice a week flights to Chengdu, the airline’s 130th destination and sixth in China, after Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Chongqing. The airline now operates 41 flights a week to the country. The Chengdu route is operated with an Airbus A330 in a two-class configuration of up to 248 seats in Economy and 36 in Business Class. 

Qatar Airways A330 receiving the traditional water cannon salute on its first flight to Chengdu

Flight QR884 arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to an impressive water salute, following its non-stop journey from the airline’s operational hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.

Chengdu is the economic hub of western China, and the nation's electronics manufacturing and information technology hub. Chengdu is also growing in aerospace, metallurgy and petroleum. Qatar Airways flights will improve access especially from the mineral rich African nations China has been wooing for ore supplies, etc., and the flight schedules reflect the connectivity the airline is aiming for.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
QR884 departs Doha at 02:00 arrives Chengdu at 14:30 hrs

Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
QR885 depart Chengdu at 01:00 hrs arrives Doha at 03:50 hrs

Over the next few months, the network will expand with the addition of further destinations – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Ta’if, Saudi Arabia (October 2), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 27), and Philadelphia, PA, USA (April 2, 2014).

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Qatar Airways offers discounts for HSBC credit card holders

by BA Staff

Qatar Airways cabin crew. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal

Qatar Airways is offering discounts to HSBC Bank India debit and credit card holders. The airline is offering 10% savings in Economy Class and 15% in Business Class valid for sale ­­­until September 15, 2013 with all travel to be completed on, or before, March 31 2014.

Card-holders should make bookings online at www.qatarairways.com/in-hsbc using their debit and credit cards. From past experience, we can inform our readers to use this specific URL as the offer does not normally show up on the airline's website.

The airline’s Indian operations cover daily services to Doha from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Trivandrum, Chennai and Bengaluru, together with 11-flights-a-week from Cochin and double daily flights from Delhi. It offers onward connections to an exciting array of over 100 destinations across Europe, Middle East Africa, North America and South America. Qatar Airways also serves the Far East and Australia from Doha.

Qatar Airways Country Manager, India, Henry Moses said, “We value this partnership with HSBC Bank, which is one of the leading banks in the world. This provides the India customers base of HSBC the unique opportunity to enjoy savings in both Business and Economy Class in addition to accumulating Qmiles on their debit and credit card purchases. We are confident that we will receive a great response and the partnership will be a valuable addition to varied offerings by Qatar Airways to provide a truly rewarding travel experience.”

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Qatar Airways launches flights to Sulaymaniyah

Qatar Airways employees at the launch in Sulaymaniyah - Image Credit: Qatar Airways

MEB3 carrier Qatar Airways recently launched services to its fifth destination in the Republic of Iraq, Sulaymaniyah, the cultural capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The four weekly flights will operate using Airbus A320 aircraft featuring 144 seats in a 2-class configuration (12J  / 132 Y). Flight schedules are as seen below

QR438 departs Doha at 13:25 and arrives at Sulaymaniyah at 16:00. The return QR439 departs Sulaymaniyah at 17:00 and arrives back to Doha at 19:15.

Find more details in the press release below

22nd August 2013

SULAYMANIYAH, Republic of Iraq – Qatar Airways today launched flights to its fifth destination in the Republic of Iraq, Sulaymaniyah, increasing the airline’s frequency across Iraq from 16 to 20 flights each week.

The new services, which will operate four-times-a-week non-stop from the airline’s Doha hub, brings the carrier’s global network to 129 destinations worldwide.

The Doha – Sulaymaniyah route is being operated by a state-of-the-art Airbus A320 featuring 144 seats in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in Business Class and 132 seats in Economy. Selected aircraft feature seatback TV screens, providing passengers with the next generation interactive on board entertainment system, featuring a choice of more than 800 audio and video on-demand options, together with an SMS text messaging service from each seat.

The launch marks the rapid expansion by Qatar Airways in Iraq since the middle of 2012 when it began flights to Erbil, followed by the capital Baghdad, Najaf and Basra. Sulaymaniyah also marks the carrier’s fifth new Middle Eastern destination launched this year after Basra, Najaf, Gassim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Salalah in Oman.

The arrival of Qatar Airways’ flight QR438 was welcomed with a water salute at Sulaymaniyah International Airport and a warm reception presided by local officials. Fathi Al Shehab, Qatar Airways Senior Vice President GCC, Levant, Iran and Indian Subcontinent, led an official delegation on the flight from Doha and

Qatar Airways Senior Vice-President GCC, Levant, Iran and Indian subcontinent, Fathi Al Shehab is seen pictured with airport and airline officials

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said he was delighted to see additional flights open up another entry point to Iraq.

“The Republic of Iraq has been on our list of expansion priorities for some time and the last 12 months have seen us move forward very quickly opening up four new gateways in Iraq with a fifth, Sulaymaniyah, starting today,” he said.

“Qatar Airways’ commitment is strong as we continue to build on our already strong relationship between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Iraq,” Al Baker continued. “Opening up Iraq to the world with more travel options and flexibility has always been part of our general strategy to enter underserved markets and give the travelling public to and from such places the ability to travel with greater choice, bringing the world closer to them.”

The Sulaymaniyah flights connect to more than 100 destinations worldwide, including London, Paris, Singapore, Bangkok, Beijing, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Delhi and Mumbai.

Addressing guests on arrival at Sulaymaniyah International Airport, Fathi Al Shehab acknowledged the warm support of the people of Sulaymaniyah and the local authorities.

“We are delighted to have added this new destination to our ever growing international route network and we congratulate the people of Sulaymaniyah on what is a very special day for their city. Qatar Airways is pleased to be able to support Iraq’s rebuilding and efforts with investments in new routes and local economies – and Sulaymaniyah is no exception,” he said.

”As we know, Sulaymaniyah is a huge oil and agriculture market offering ample business for those keen in taking part in the opportunities that exist in Iraq’s current restructuring process. It also has huge tourist potential.”

Sulaymaniyah is an important economic and cultural center for Iraq. It is a mountainous province and had been named the cultural capital of Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Due to relative peace in the region it has a more developed economy in comparison to other parts of Iraq.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 129 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

Qatar Airways has so far launched six destinations in 2013 – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman), Basra (Iraq) and now Sulaymaniyah (Iraq). 
Over the next few weeks and months, the network will grow further with Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 28) and Philadelphia, USA (2 April 2014).

DOHA – SULAYMANIYAH: Flight Schedules, effective 20 AUGUST 2013
Flying 4 times-a-week commencing 20th August 2013
Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday

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Qatar Airways increases checked-in baggage allowance in all classes

by Devesh Agarwal

Effective 1 September 2013, Qatar Airways has increased the checked-in baggage allowances for its passengers.

Economy class weight allowances have increased from 23kg to 30kg while business and first Class have increased by 10kg to 40kg and 50kg respectively. The number of bags allowed to be checked-in remains the same and is dependent on the type of ticket purchased. The increased weight allowance does not apply when travelling to points that are regulated by the per-piece baggage allowance such as trans-atlantic flights to/from North America.

The new baggage allowances are available on the return trips of those passengers who have already travelled prior to September 1.

However, the new allowances come at a price. The airline will increase its excess baggage rates in September, and, in a strategy borrowed from low cost carriers like AirAsia and IndiGo, will offer passengers the ability to purchase excess baggage at discounted rates of up to 20% on its website.

Frequent flier members of Qatar Airways' Privilege Club will continue to enjoy excess baggage allowance in addition to the new increased baggage allowance.

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