Yesterday, I wrote about an open letter the chief executives of two airlines and the shipping company FedEx sent to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in defence of Qatar Airways and the current Open Skies arrangement that the United…
Qatar Airways
jetBlue, FedEx and Atlas Air Come Out in Defense of Qatar Airway’s Investment in Air Italy
Two airline chief executives and the boss of global shipping company FedEx have sent an open letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to “set the record straight” over what they refer to as “wholly-unsubstantiated claims” about Qatar Airways…
Finnish Police Arrest Two Members of Qatar Airways Cabin Crew for Being Drunk
Two members of Qatar Airways cabin crew were arrested yesterday at Helsinki Airport (HEL) according to Finnish authorities. Police arrested the two male cabin crew members just before 8.30am after airport workers raised concerns that the flight attendants were drunk. …
Qatar Airways: Investment in Air Italy “Fully Compliant” With Open Skies Agreement
Qatar Airways has defended itself against accusations its investment in Air Italy “runs directly counter” to a landmark one year deal that the State of Qatar reached with the United States over its Open Skies agreement. At a Senate Foreign…
Air Italy’s New Uniform Just Cements the Concern its Qatar Airways With a Different Name
Of all the different branding elements that an airline can use, the cabin crew uniform has to be one of the most important. From the distinctive red hats worn by Emirates cabin crew or the iconic sarong kabaya of Singapore…
Turkish Airlines Denies Rumours Qatar Airways Has Acquired 49% Stake in Business
Turkish Airlines has been forced to deny rumours that Qatar Airways has acquired a 49% stake in the government-owned carrier. In a statement issued by the airline, a spokesperson said the rumours did “not represent the truth” and had been…
Delta Air Lines Really Doesn’t Want to Let its Feud with Qatar Airways Go
Speaking at an aviation summit in Dever, Colorado yesterday, Delta’s Executive Vice President Peter Carter made it perfectly clear that the Atlanta-based airline isn’t going to let its feud with Qatar Airways drop anytime soon. Specifically, Carter called out Qatar’s…
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Reignites Rumour Airline Will Leave OneWorld Alliance
Here we go again – the chief executive of Qatar Airways, the often outspoken and controversial figure Akbar Al Baker has used a news conference at the ITB Berlin aviation expo to reignite a rumour the airline will pull out…
Well That Was Underwhelming: First Look at Qatar Airways New Economy Class Seat
Qatar Airways has just unveiled a brand new Economy Class seat at the biggest annual aviation trade show and well, it’s a bit of a disappointment. Akbar Al Baker, the chief executive of Qatar Airways, previously said his airline was…
New Aviation Agreement Between European Union and Qatar Will Create “Level Playing Field”
We now have more details on a “landmark” aviation agreement between the European Union and the State of Qatar that the EU’s Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc says will not only level the playing field but also “raise the bar…
America’s Most Powerful Flight Attendant Just Came After Qatar Airways for Sponsoring Gender Diversity Awards
Qatar Airways, the Doha-based airline that regularly holds ‘female only’ recruitment events for new cabin crew and whose chief executive has faced heavy criticism for sexist remarks, has just announced it is partnering with the International Air Transport Association (IATA)…
Qatar Airways Has Voice and Accent Trainer for its Cabin Crew… No, Really
I love looking through airline job boards from time to time. In amongst the usual boring roles for pricing analysts and revenue management specialists, I occasionally come across some right gems which give an insight into how much effort an…
EU and Qatar Reach Deal On Air Transport Agreement: But Details Remain Sketchy
The European Union and the State of Qatar have today concluded negotiations for a landmark Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement – it will allow airlines from both the EU and Qatar (in other words Qatar Airways) unrestricted access to one another’s…
Qatar Airways Releases Cringe Worthy “Brand Film” That Relies On Sexist Stereotypes
Over the last few days, Qatar Airways has been hyping up what it called a big announcement it had planned with hints being dropped across the Doha-based airline’s social media channels. Well, it turns out the big announcement was a…
Qatar Airways Won’t Invest in Struggling Jet Airways as its Backed by “Enemy State”
Qatar Airways has been looking to expand its presence in India for years but in typically colourful fashion, the chief executive of the Doha-based airline Akbar Al Baker has told reporters he has no intention of investing in India’s struggling…
Air Italy Being Used by Qatar Airways to Circumvent EU Wet Leasing Rules?
Air Italy has quickly established itself as the most controversial airline in Europe, reigniting a fierce debate over the role of government subsidies and what some claim is unfair competition on North American routes. That’s because Air Italy has managed…
The Air Italy Row is Heating Up: Delta CEO Says “Qatar is Back to Their Old Tricks”
Ed Bastian, the chief exec of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines doesn’t appear to be feeling too much Christmas cheer right now. Instead, the longtime aviation executive is speaking out against Air Italy – a little known Italian airline that has…
Air Italy Announces Yet Another New North American Destination: Where to Next?
At this point, it’s becoming a little difficult to see Air Italy as little more than a Milan-based front for Qatar Airways to continue its North American expansion. Just a day after announcing it would start flying to Toronto, Air…
Is Air Italy a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing? Lobby Group Says Qatar Airways is “Disrespecting” U.S. President
Back in February, the State of Qatar announced that it had reached an important agreement with U.S. authorities over a long-running dispute involving its government-owned national airline, Qatar Airways. A little over two weeks later and a little known Italian…
Qatar Airways’ Chief Exec, Akbar Al Baker Weighs In On The Khashoggi Affair and Criticizes Trump Administration
The chief executive of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker is well known for being outspoken – in the not too distant past, he’s drawn criticism for making derogatory comments about flight attendants at U.S. airlines and was roundly lambasted for…
Qatar Airways Issues “Ultimatum” to Oneworld Alliance – May Leave “Soon” If Attacks From Fellow Member Airlines Continue
Over the last few years, the biggest three airlines in the United States – American Airlines, Delta and United – have led a fairly concerted campaign against what they see as the unfair and rapid international expansion of Gulf rivals…
Landmark Agreement Will Help Safeguard Rights of Qatar Airways Cabin Crew
Back in September, Qatar announced some fairly major changes to its so-called Kafala employment laws. For the first time, most expat workers (which make up the majority of workers in Qatar) would be able to leave the country without first…
Well This Wasn’t Surprising: Qatar Airways Posts a Loss for 2017 But Accountants Have Clearly Been Working Hard
At long last… Yesterday, Qatar Airways eventually posted its financial results for 2017, with a loss of $69 million USD (QAR 252 million) for the full financial year – a 112% drop on the $573 million profit the airline reported…
Qatar to End Controversial Exit Permit Scheme for Foreign Workers in Run Up to 2022 World Cup
Over the last few years, the State of Qatar has come under increasing criticism from a wide range of human rights organisations and even the United Nations over alleged human rights abuses and a lack of rights for the country’s…
Qatar Airways Will Release 2017 Financials in Two Weeks Time: Still Wants to Invest in Indian Airline
The chief executive of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker has revealed his airline will finally publish its annual financial results for 2017 in around two weeks time. Baker disclosed the timeframe while speaking at the International Aviation Summit which is…
Are Financial Woes at Qatar Airways Slowing Down Cabin Crew Recruitment?
It’s been several months since Akbar Al Baker, the chief executive of Qatar Airways said he expected his airline to plunge to a huge loss for the 2017-2018 financial year. Speaking at the Eurasia air show in Turkey, Baker described…
VIDEO: We’ve Seen it All Now – A Qatar Airways Flight Was Delayed Because a Passenger Was Begging
Bizarre footage of an elderly man begging for money onboard a Qatar Airways flight has recently emerged. According to the popular ‘View from a Wing’ blog, the flight was sitting on the tarmac at Doha International Airport waiting to depart…
We’ve Seen it All Now: A Qatar Airways Flight Was Delayed Because a Passenger Was Begging?
Bizarre footage of an elderly man begging for money onboard a Qatar Airways flight has recently emerged. According to the popular ‘View from a Wing‘ blog, the flight was sitting on the tarmac at Doha International Airport waiting to depart…
ABHORRENT: Qatar Airways Chief Executives Makes Another Sexist Comment, Audience Gasp in Horror
Airline executives from around the world have gathered in Sydney this week to discuss some of the aviation industry’s biggest challenges during the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) annual general meeting. The association represents some 290 airlines, accounting for around…
British Airways IS Wet-leasing Qatar Airways Long-Haul Planes This Summer: But Should They?
British Airways, like many airlines that operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has been facing a scheduling nightmare after European aviation regulators issued an urgent safety directive for the aircraft. A problem has been found with a compressor in the Rolls…
VIDEO: The Chief Executive of Qatar Airways Talks About How His Airline Treats Cabin Crew
In May 2018, Akbar Al Baker, the chief executive of Qatar Airways addressed an EU Parliament committee on Transport and Tourism. European lawmakers had a lot of questions about the treatment of cabin crew at Qatar Airways – here’s how…
What’s it Really Like to Work for Qatar Airways as Cabin Crew? What We Know, The Rumours, Secrets, and Cover-Up’s
Last week, Akbar Al Baker, the chief executive of Qatar Airways appeared at a committee hearing of the European Parliament, becoming the first foreign airline chief to personally address the Committee on Transport and Tourism. At the time, Qatar Airways…
Qatar Airways Calls Ongoing Blockade an “Act of War” as Akbar Al Baker Addresses EU Committee
As a blockade on the State of Qatar by a Saudi-led bloc of countries which includes the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt approaches its first anniversary, the chief executive of the government-owned airline, Qatar Airways has personally addressed a committee of…
Qatar Airways Investment in Air Italy Just Goes to Prove Why Europeans Will Never Get Short-haul ‘First Class’
Yesterday, the chief executive of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker was present at the delivery ceremony of Air Italy’s brand new Boeing 737MAX 8 aircraft at the Boeing delivery center in Everett, near Seattle, Washington. The fact that Baker decided…
Is It Still Safe To Fly Gulf Airlines Through The Middle East? Tensions Rise And Civilian Aircraft Are Caught In The Middle
Tensions between Qatar and several neighbouring countries appear to be on the rise with allegations that civilian aircraft belonging to the UAE have been “intercepted” by Qatari military jets. In the latest incident, Emirati authorities said the pilot of a…
Qatar Airways Warns Of “Very Large Loss” While Taking A Swipe At U.S. Airlines
On the opening day of ITB Berlin – the world’s largest international travel fair – the chief executive of Qatar Airways, Abkar Al Baker has once again warned his airline will likely suffer losses for the year ending April 2018. …
VIDEO: Oh My, Qatar Airways CEO Throws Major Shade At Saudi Arabia, UAE Over Gulf Blockade
At a press conference to celebrate Qatar Airways becoming the global launch customer for the new Airbus A350-1000, the airline’s chief executive, Akbar Al Baker certainly had some very interesting comments to share with the world – and not all…
Qatar Airways Renames Meridiana as Air Italy – Aims For Huge Expansion Within 12-Months
Qatar Airways’ chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, today announced the small Sardinia-based Italian airline, Meridiana of which Qatar owns 49% would be rebranded as Air Italy with the intention to “become Italy’s leading carrier.” The relatively small regional carrier, which…
Qatar Airways Warns it Will Post a Loss for 2017 – But That Could Benefit its Political Strategy
As Qatar Airways was celebrating its inaugural service to Australia’s capital, Canberra, Akbar Al Baker, the airline’s outspoken chief executive held a press conference in the city’s Hyatt Hotel. And while the event was meant to celebrate the airline’s latest…
SOURCES: Qatar Airways Agrees Radical Plan to Disclose Financial Reports to Appease U.S. Critics
According to sources at the U.S. State Department, officials from the State of Qatar and its government-owned airline, Qatar Airways are set to agree to new and unprecedented financial reporting disclosures. The deal is expected to be announced later on…
Airbus is Showing Off the A350-1000 to the World: Qatar Airways Confirms Delayed Launch Next Month
Ahead of Qatar Airways becoming the global launch customer for the brand new Airbus A350-1000, the European aircraft manufacturer has embarked on a 12-country tour, showing off the next generation aircraft. First stop: Doha. The stretched version of the A350-900,…
Uh Oh: The Trump Administration Opens Talks With UAE and Qatar Over U.S. Open Skies Agreements
In the last couple of years, major U.S. airline’s including American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines have been campaigning hard against what they see as the unfair business practices of the big three Middle East airlines – Emirates, Etihad and…
Uh Oh: U.S. Lawmaker Introduces Bill that Would Force Gulf Airlines Like Emirates and Etihad to Pay Tax
The United States is in the middle of a tax reform debate that could see major tax cuts for “hardworking Americans,” according to Georgia’s Republican Senator Johnny Isakson. The so-called ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’ is already pretty controversial but…
The Only Way is Up: Middle East Airlines Expected to Buy $730 Billion Worth of New Aircraft Within Next Two Decades
At the start of October, French aircraft manufacturer, Airbus came up with some fairly wild estimates about how many aeroplanes would be needed by Middle East airlines in the Gulf region. Well, it turns out that rival aerospace behemoth, Seatle-based…
Whoah: Airbus Estimates Middle East Airlines Will More Than Double Their Aircraft Fleets by 2036
The last couple of years have been particularly hard for airlines in the Middle East. Profits at Emirates dropped a massive 80% in 2016 to just $340 million USD due to a major fall in regional business travel, overcapacity, concerns…
Qatar Airways Continues to Find New Uses for A320 Aircraft Grounded Due to Political Dispute
Back in June, Qatar suddenly found itself cut off from a number of Gulf states in a sudden escalation of a major diplomatic rift. The Saudi-led bloc, including the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt accused Qatar of funding and promoting Islamist…
Qatar Airways Buys a 49% in Italy’s Second Largest Airline, the Ageing Meridiana
Things are set to get a little bit more interesting in the Italian aviation market after news broke that Qatar Airways had bought a 49% stake in Meridiana Fly. Never heard of the airline? Probably not a surprise if you…
Qatar Airways Has Celebrated its 20th Anniversary in Spectacular Style With Red Arrows Fly Past in Doha
Thousands of people gathered on Doha’s Corniche on Saturday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the national airline, Qatar Airways and watch a spectacular aerial display by the world-famous Red Arrows. And as the Hawk jets swooped across the city…
Qatar Airways Shrugs Off Middle East Embargo With Renewed Fleet Expansion and Investment Opportunities
The chief executive of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker appeared alongside the vice president of aircraft manufacturer Boeing, Ray Conner today at a ceremony to celebrate the delivery of its first 747-800 freighter aircraft. But this wasn’t only an opportunity…
Qatar Airways Teases its Brand New Boarding Music By Local Composer, Dana Al Fardan
Qatar Airways has teased its brand new boarding music which will become the airline’s signature theme tune. It’s expected to be heard by hundreds of thousands of passengers on board Qatar Airways aircraft around the world. Composed by the world-renowned local…
