We
are a five star airline. We will continue to grow as the best international
airline in the world. Offering a superb experience in all class categories,
Qatar Airways is renowned for its internationally-acclaimed Five Star service,
superior cuisine and onboard entertainment options, additionally earning the
credit of being the first Middle East carrier to provide fully flat beds in
Business Class to Houston.Abdul Qadir Aziz
Regional Manager - Qatar Airways
In an interview to Money, Abdul Qadir Aziz was fairly optimistic about the future of aviation industry and the operations of Qatar Airways in Pakistan. Following are the excerpts of his interview:
Money: Can you give us some details about the expansion plans of Qatar Airways for Pakistan as well as globally?
Abdul Qadir Aziz: We are committed to expand our network. The growing bilateral ties between other countries will definitely have a better impact on the aviation side. Qatar Airways has currently placed orders to buy more than 200 aircrafts worth over US$40 billion for delivery over the next few years. The airline has developed a global network of destinations, covering Europe, Middle East, Africa Indian sub-continent, Far East and America.
Money: What is your opinion about the future of Aviation Industry keeping in view the economic meltdown?
Abdul Qadir Aziz: These are hard times, but I believe that travel needs will continue to grow. Qatar Airways is growing by 35 percent year on year. As far as our company is concerned we are destined to reach 6 places in 2009-2010.
Money: How good is Qatar Airways at the global level?
Abdul Qadir Aziz: It is continuously growing ahead. At the end March 2009, we launched flights to Houston and this destination will be one of the longest on-stop flights in the world with a flying time of 17 hours. Houston is a very strategic route for Qatar Airways, providing us with a vital air bridge between two key markets. It also enables us to capitalize on increased bilateral business opportunities for the energy sectors across the Gulf States and the oil-producing southern region of the United States and neighboring Latin American countries.
The airline has grown under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker who has been instrumental in turning Qatar Airways into an award-winning carrier and among the best in the world.
Money: What are the next targeted destinations for Qatar Airways?
Abdul Qadir Aziz: We are marching ahead from Houston and we will now move towards two new European Destinations. During winters we will strike two new Indian destinations namely Amritsar and Goa and in Australia, we will touch down two new routes as well. I am proud to see so many Pakistanis traveling through our inaugural flight. Qatar Airways is well known for offering customers the highest standards of service and is delighted to be able to bridge Pakistan and Houston with our new connecting service via Doha.
Money: Can you give us your forecast about Qatar Airways’ standings in the next decade or so?
Abdul Qadir Aziz: We are a five star airline. We will continue to grow as the best international airline in the world. Offering a superb experience in all class categories, Qatar Airways is renowned for its internationally-acclaimed Five Star service, superior cuisine and onboard entertainment options, additionally earning the credit of being the first Middle East carrier to provide fully flat beds in Business Class to Houston. Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 68 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 84 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and North America.
Qatar Airways Achievements
December
2008: World Travel Awards names Qatar Airways’ World’s Leading Business
Class at the 15th Annual World Travel Awards final Gala ceremony on the
Caribbean island of Turks & Caicos.November 2008: Qatar Airways won Best Business Class Airline in the Middle East and region’s Best Airline Lounge in Doha for its exclusive Premium Terminal at World Travel Awards. Qatar Airways also won the Aviation Business Award for In-flight Services.
October 2008: Qatar Airways named Best Airline in the Middle East for the third consecutive year by readers of TTG Asia magazine.
August 2008: Qatar Airways won two Skytrax awards confirming its leading position as one of the top 10 airlines in the world, and also as the best carrier in the Middle East region for the third consecutive year. Qatar Airways’ cabin crew was named Best in the Middle East for the sixth consecutive year.
2008: Doha International Airport won Best Airport Airline partnership award at the annual Airport Expansion Middle East awards in Doha.
December 2007: Qatar Airways received three accolades at the World Travel Awards 2007 in the Caribbean islands of Turks & Caicos World’s Leading Business Class Airline, World’s Best In-flight Meal Service, and Leading Business Class Airline In The Middle East.
November 2007: Qatar Airways takes delivery of the first of its 32 Boeing 777 aircraft.
October 2007: Qatar Airways named Best Airline in Middle East and Africa by readers of TTG Asia magazine for the second consecutive year.
July 2007: Qatar Airways won three Skytrax awards including Best First Class in the World.
September 2006: Qatar Airways takes delivery of world’s first High Gross Weight version of the Airbus A340-600 aircraft designed to operate non-stop on long-haul routes such as Doha US east coast.
June 2006: Qatar Airways honored in the 2006 Skytrax Awards. Airline named Best in the Middle East, cabin crew voted Best in Middle East for 4th year running and 2nd best in the world. Airline’s global ranking rises to 6th best in the world.
June 2006: Qatar Airways Privilege Club wins accolades at the annual Freddie Awards in Los Angeles recognizing the world’s best travel loyalty programs.
Privilege Club wins awards for Best Elite Level, Best Website and Best Bonus Promotion.
May 2006: Qatar Airways named Airline of the Year at the annual Middle East and North Africa (MENA) travel awards in Dubai.
April 2006: Qatar Airways picks up the Middle East Finance Deal of the Year Award for the second time in three years at the Air Finance Conference in New York. Award recognizes the unique financing deal for its Buyer Furnished Equipment with a group of three banks.
April 2006: Qatar Airways carried more than 6.3 million passengers burring the 2004/2005.
February 2006: Qatar Airways honored with the In-flight Service Consistency Excellence Award by Skytrax.
November 2005: Qatar Airways scoops four accolades at the World Travel Awards in London. They were:- Qatar Airways CEO named Personality of the year: Leading Flat Bed Airways CEO named Personality of the year; Leading Flat Bed Seat in First Class; Best In-flight Meal Service and Leading Airline in the Middle East.
October 2005: Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by organizers of the Arab World Travel and Tourism Conference and Exhibition in Beirut.
September 2005: Qatar Airways retains the stringent IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) which it originally secured in 2003 as the first airline in the world to pass the audit with 100 per cent compliance.
August 2005: As Official Airline of the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar Airways takes delivery of the first of several Asian Games branded A330 aircraft.
2004: Qatar Airways joins a small elite group of airlines to be awarded the prestigious Five Star ranking for service excellence by Skytrax, the independent airline industry audit.