Held biennially since 2008, the Singapore Airshow is widely regarded as Asia’s largest and finest airshow.
SINGAPORE – Qatar Airways announced it will be showcasing three state-of-the-art aircraft from its fast-growing fleet at the upcoming Singapore Airshow from 16 to 18 February 2016. The three-time Skytrax Airline of the Year winner will be showcasing the A350, for which it was the global launch customer, and its superjumbo A380. Also appearing in Asia is Qatar Executive’s newly acquired Gulfstream G650ER – the industry’s most advanced business jet.
Held biennially since 2008, the Singapore Airshow is widely regarded as Asia’s largest and finest airshow. To be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre, the 2016 edition of the Singapore Airshow will have more than 1,000 companies from over 50 countries in attendance, with mainstay events such as the exhibition, aerobatic display and static display, popular with both exhibitors and visitors alike.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to be participating again in this year’s Singapore Airshow, in an increased capacity. The three aircraft we will be displaying demonstrate our technologically advanced and fast-growing young fleet. We have just celebrated our one year anniversary of A350 operations, and already we are embarking on another milestone with the world’s newest civilian aircraft, the Gulfstream G650ER, which many visitors will have the opportunity of seeing up close at the Singapore Airshow.”
The Doha-based carrier made its debut at the Singapore Airshow 2014 by exhibiting the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to hundreds of show visitors. This year, Qatar Airways’ participation extends beyond the static aircraft display, as the airline has introduced a bespoke visitors chalet to receive and extend its award-winning hospitality to esteemed guests, media and trade partners.
Qatar Executive’s Gulfstream G650ER recently joined the fleet and will be displayed at the Singapore Airshow. The business jet is the first of 30 latest-generation Gulfstream aircraft ordered by Qatar Executive, and is capable of flying non-stop from the Middle East to North America or from destinations in Asia to Africa – farther and faster than any other jet of its kind – and is perfectly suited for those whose travel needs include flying halfway around the globe. Highly sought-after for its phenomenal range, industry-leading cabin technology and unparalleled cabin comfort, Qatar Executive’s G650ER has a two-cabin configuration that seats up to 13 passengers – the seats convert into fully-flat beds, so that seven guests can easily sleep on board.
The A350, now flying thrice-daily from Doha to Singapore, features customised interior settings, with its Business Class cabin comprising of 36 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration and its Economy Class cabin in a 3-3-3 configuration, allowing it to seat 247 passengers. Qatar Airways was the global launch customer for the A350, and recently celebrated one year of operations with the aircraft. Qatar Airways started flying the world’s latest-technology aircraft from Singapore in May 2015, making it the first country in Asia to be served with the A350. In addition, Qatar Airways currently operates regular commercial A350 service to Frankfurt, Munich, and Philadelphia – the first airline to operate the A350 to three continents.
Also on display will be the airline’s bespoke twin-deck A380 ‘superjumbo’ aircraft – one of the most technologically advanced and highly sophisticated aircraft in the world. With a total of 517 passenger seats in First, Business and Economy Classes over two decks, it is the largest passenger plane in the world. Qatar Airways currently flies six A380s to London, Paris and Bangkok from Doha.
Passengers travelling on these Qatar Airways new-generation aircraft will transit through one of the world’s newest and most technologically advanced hubs – Hamad International Airport (HIA) – where their seamless travel experience continues. Besides more than 70 luxury retail brands and 30 food and beverage outlets operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the airport also boosts a 100-room hotel, a wellbeing and fitness centre and one of the world’s largest and most luxurious Business Class lounges. With HIA also being conveniently located within an eight-hour flight for more than two-thirds of the world’s population, it is fast becoming a transit hub of choice for many travellers.
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 176 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. Qatar Airways won Airline of the Year, Best Business Class Airline Seat and Best Airline in the Middle East at the 2015 Skytrax Awards. This is the third time the airline won the accolade of Airline of the Year.
Photo caption: Qatar Airways will showcase a superjumbo A380 at the Singapore Airshow
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
