DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) wrapped up a successful presence at the airline industry’s first airshow of the year in Bahrain on Saturday.
Hundreds of guests were welcomed on board three QA display aircraft, dozens of high-level meetings with industry and political leaders took place and many international media interviews conducted at the airline’s premium chalet. Perhaps the highlight of the show was the celebration of the first year of operations of the A350 for which QA was the global launch customer.
In addition to the A350, QA displayed two other aircraft — the A380 super jumbo and a striking Gulfstream G650ER, the latest addition to Qatar Executive fleet.
A red carpet event took place on day one of the show to mark the airline’s first year of A350 operations.
In attendance were Qatar’s Minister of Transport H E Jassim Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti; Qatar Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Abdullah Nasser Turki Al Subaey; Qatari Ambassador to Bahrain Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani; General United Arab of Emirates Civil Aviation Authority Director-General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi; Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier; and Qatar Aeronautical College Director-General Sheikh Jabor bin Hamad Al Thani. They were accompanied on board by QA Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker.
“QA is delighted to have once again participated in Bahrain International Airshow, with our significant brand presence and the opportunity for us to showcase the best of our fleet,” said Al Baker. It is also a pleasure to network and bolster relationships with industry partners from international airlines and aircraft manufacturers in an exclusive airshow environment, against a backdrop of latest trends and innovations in aerospace technology.”
Discussing 2016 industry outlook with media, Al Baker spelled out QA’s expansion plans to include new services to Sydney and Adelaide in Australia, and Boston and Atlanta in the US.
Powering the new routes will be continued introduction of new aircraft, at the rate of one every 10 days this year. QA took delivery of the first A350 in December 2014, and started service in January 2015 between Doha and Frankfurt, Germany.
The A350 is the latest design in aircraft technology and sports the signature ‘Zorro’ mask wind screen that distinguishes it from other aircraft.
Hundreds of visitors and guests enjoyed traditional QA hospitality during the show, including members of travel trade, media and global aviation enthusiasts.
QA hosted many tours of its aircraft, welcoming over 300 people on board the aircraft that represent the high standards and modern design of the rest of the fleet.
QA operates a young and modern fleet of 175 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to over 150 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Americas. It started 2016 on a high note with the launch of flights to Los Angeles. Other destinations to be launched this year include the second-largest city in the UK, Birmingham on March 30; Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE on February 2’ and Yerevan on May 15.
Nearly 100 airshow visitors toured QA’s latest aircraft — a new addition to Qatar Executive fleet — the Gulfstream G650ER. The Gulfstream G650ER flies further and faster than any other executive jet in the world, and can accommodate up to 13 passengers comfortably. The aircraft can fly non-stop from the Middle East to North America or from destinations in Asia to Africa and is perfectly suited for those whose travel needs include flying halfway around the globe.
The Peninsula