The official announcement of Qatar Airways joining global air alliance oneworld will further boost the group presence in Asia-Pacific.
DOHA – Qatar Airways and global air alliance oneworld officially confirmed that the Qatari national carrier will become a full member with effect from Wednesday 30 October 2013, adding one of the world’s fastest growing and most highly rated airlines to the world’s leading quality airline alliance.
One of just seven carriers worldwide rated five-star by the Skytrax airline quality agency and the organisation’s Airline of the Year 2011 and 2012 and runner-up 2013, Qatar Airways is the only one of the “Gulf Big Three” carriers slated to join any of the global airline alliances.
It received clearance to board oneworld after successfully completing a thorough review of its readiness, conducted by British Airways, which is sponsoring Qatar Airways’ arrival into the alliance, with oneworld’s central team.
Qatar Airways entry into oneworld was implemented in just one year time instead of 18 months on average. This will make its induction into oneworld one of the fastest in the alliance’s history.
Among the benefits for the airline and the alliance member are the full recognition of Qatar own loyalty program with all other FFP from the 12 other member air carriers but also from another 30 affiliated airlines. Privilege Club Platinum cardholders will have Emerald status in the oneworld programme. Privilege Club Gold will be equivalent to oneworld Sapphire and Privilege Club Silver will be oneworld Ruby. All Qatar Airways premium passengers and loyalty members will then have access to 550 airport lounges around the world. Qatar Airways Privilege Club has a total number of three million members.
Qatar Airways is already participating in Global Explorer, the round-the-world fare offered by all oneworld members and various airlines that are not part of the alliance. When it becomes part of oneworld, Qatar Airways’ network – serving 130 destinations in 70 countries across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australasia – will be covered by the full and extensive range of oneworld fare and sales products.
A particular area of growth will be Asia where the alliance dedicated a lot of attention for a year now. Qatar Airways strategical hub in Doha will effectively strengthen connectivity between Asia/Pacific and Africa as well as Southern Europe. With the recent integration of Malaysia Airlines into oneworld in February and the future membership of Sri Lankan by early next year, oneworld is rapidly leaving its print in the entire Asia/Pacific region.
Qatar Airways’ addition to oneworld will come before the airline moves into its new home base, Hamad International Airport. The new facility, which has been designed to provide a first class hub with all facilities was due to be ready at the same time of Qatar Airways joining the global alliance. But it seems that new delays are to be expected with Qatar Airways recently announcing in China to have the airport ready now by early 2014. The future air terminal will eventually cater for 50 million passengers a year.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
