Charting The Rise Of One Of The Fastest Growing Airlines In The World

Qatar Airways is the national airline of the State of Qatar and one of the aviation industry’s big success stories. Operations began in 1994 when the airline was a small regional carrier servicing a handful of routes. The airline was re-launched in 1997 with a vision to turn Qatar Airways into a leading international airline with the highest standards of service and excellence.

Qatar Airways has since become one of the fastest growing carriers in the world with unprecedented expansion averaging double digit growth year on year that industry peers can only admire with envy.

The airline has developed under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, appointed CEO in 1996, who has been instrumental in turning Qatar Airways into an award-winning carrier and the best in the world. Under Al Baker’s stewardship, Qatar Airways has matured into a leading force in regional and global aviation, earning many admirers around the world for its excellent standards of service.

In April 2011, Qatar Airways reached a milestone reaching 100 destinations in its global route map. Two months later, the airline achieved a remarkable feat, just 14 years after its relaunch, being named Airline of the Year 2011 at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards with over 18 million travellers worldwide casting their votes. In July 2012, Qatar Airways was once again named Airline of the Year 2012, holding onto its title for the second consecutive year.

Global Network and Expansion

From Qatar Airways’ hub in Doha, the country’s capital, the airline has developed a global network of over 100 destinations, covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Asia Pacific, North America and South America with a modern fleet of over 100 passenger and cargo aircraft.

For 2012, Qatar Airways expands its operations to further destinations – Baku (Azerbaijan), Tbilisi (Georgia), Zagreb (Croatia), Perth (Australia), Kigali (Rwanda), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Yangon (Myanmar), Baghdad (Iraq), Erbil (Iraq), Maputo (Mozambique) and Belgrade (Serbia).

Young Fleet

From only four aircraft in 1997, the airline today operates over 100 aircraft. By 2015, the fleet size will rise to more than 170 aircraft covering a global network of destinations that will also increase to over 170.

Qatar Airways has one of the industry’s youngest fleets with an average aircraft age under four years old. Qatar Airways currently has over 250 new aircraft worth more than US$50 billion pending delivery over the next few years. This includes an order for Airbus’ new generation A350s, A320 Neos, A380s and Boeing 787s.

Premium Terminal

In line with the company’s philosophy to be innovative, the airline operates the world’s only dedicated commercial passenger terminal exclusively for its First and Business Class passengers at Doha International Airport.

The US$90 million Premium Terminal, built in just nine months, opened in November 2006. It features facilities such as sit-down check-in for First and Business Class passengers, a spa, Jacuzzi, duty free shopping, business centre, fine dining restaurants, delicatessen and a cocktail bar.

The innovative Premium Terminal facilities are designed to provide Qatar Airways’ most loyal customers with the best levels of comfort and hospitality prior to catching their flight. Open round-the-clock, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, the stand-alone facility is seen as an industry benchmark in premium class travel experience.

Global Achievements

Having been elevated to third best airline in the world by Skytrax in 2010, announcement of the 2011 results ranking Qatar Airways as Airline of the Year was a culmination of sheer dedication and hard work by the airline’s workforce under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker. To retain the award in 2012 was a magnificent triumph.

Already ranked Five Star for service excellence by Skytrax, the independent global aviation industry monitoring agency confirmed Qatar Airways as Best Airline in the Middle East for the sixth year in a row and in 2012 for the second consecutive year Best Premium Service Airport for its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport – a facility for exclusive use by Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers.

Qatar Airways: Airline Of The Year 2011 & 2012

(Skytrax Airline Global Industry Audit)

To book your air tickets for GTF Amman, visit qatarairways.com/jo