By Abraham Jonah, Dubai Bureau Chief
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Al Baker, was presented with the Airline of the Year award at the recent CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence.
Mr Baker received the award in person from CAPA Executive Chairman Peter Harbison during a gala dinner at the Okura Hotel Amsterdam.
The airline’s ambition, significant strategic growth and industry-wide contribution were commended as part of the accolade, which was awarded for Qatar Airways’ continued delivery of innovative products and services and for its outstanding success for developing strong global airline alliances.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, was a key note speaker at the international conference said “I am delighted to collect the award for Airline of the Year on behalf of Qatar Airways. This is testament to the work and dedication of all those who work for Qatar Airways to pursue our common goal of delivering excellent service and hospitality.”
Al Baker in a key note speech during the CAPA 2016 Global Summit conference said the airline will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.
“Our discipline and our compassion have driven the success of Qatar Airways over the first 20 years, from an airline with just four aircraft to a leading airline of today, with a fleet of over 190 aircraft – all of the youngest and most technologically advanced and efficient aircraft in the world. We are now discussing the comprehensive E.U. air services agreement, fully committed to the values expressed in the early discussions, to uphold fair competition, to reduce our industry’s impact on the environment, and to serve the needs of our customers, wherever they live and wherever they are going.”
Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in aviation history with a network of over 150 exciting destinations. In 2016 travellers continued to see Qatar Airways expand its global reach, with services launched to Adelaide (Australia), Atlanta (USA), Birmingham (UK), Boston (USA), Helsinki (Finland), Los Angeles (USA), Marrakech (Morocco), Pisa (Italy), Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), Sydney (Australia), Windhoek (Namibia) and Yerevan (Armenia). Services to Krabi (Thailand) and Seychelles will follow later in the year.
During 2016 Qatar Airways has strengthened its global alliances by further extending its relationship with International Airlines Group (IAG), announcing a joint business agreement effective 30 October 2016 and increasing its shareholding in IAG to 20 per cent. Qatar Airways and British Airways also announced an extension of their code share arrangements to enhance both networks across Europe. The airline also signed an agreement to invest in LATAM, a leading airline in Latin America and also a one world partner.