Qatar Airways expects 36% capacity growth with 36 new planes

Dubai - Airline's first financial results to be announced in next two months

Qatar Airways expects its capacity growth up to 36 per cent in the next 12 months with the help of 36 new plane deliveries during the same period.
This was disclosed by the airline's chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker during a news conference on the first day of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. The airline will also starts around 19 new routes during the year, Al Baker informed.
He also mentioned that the airline's first financial results will be announced in the next two months. "I know the profit but I am not in a position to share it before the audit is completed," he said.
"I hope we will be in a position to publish them sometime in June," he added.
Talking about Qatar Airways operations with its Saudi Arabian carrier Al Mahar, he said: "Unfortunately, we are still in the process of certification and we hope that we will be able to get an agreement with the authorities in order for us to start operating these flights."
The chief executive said Saudi Arabia is an important market for Qatar Airways and the authorities were showing an interest in bringing more competition to the market.
He also talked about Qatar Airways interest in ailing Italian airline Meridiana.
"Yes we are in advanced negotiations with Meridiana and we hope we will conclude but we will not sign anything unless we are absolutely certain our partnership will be a success," he said. He indicated that negotiations with employees were continuing, particularly with regards to staff reductions. "Initially there will be some pains and they have to accept this," he added.
Al Baker also announced the airline's continued evolution of customer experience that the airline is committed to. Key elements of this transformation include the opening of a luxurious new lounge in Dubai International Airport.
"The Qatar Airways customer experience has been the cornerstone of our business from day one; it is the driver behind our success and a key point of difference amongst our peers in the industry," he said.
"By continuing to evolve the experience we offer to our customers we stay ahead of the curve, whether we do so by introducing the newest aircraft to our fleet, collaborating with Airbus to develop the next generation of aircraft, introducing new destinations, improving our on-ground offering with exclusive lounges, in the air with Wi-Fi and through our product with totally unique designs. Qatar Airways as a brand represents innovation and evolution in the industry, and we are proud to be the flag-bearers of change."
- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com

• Qatar