Latest news with #BadrAlMeer
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways ink strategic partnership
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), confirming the intention to enter a strategic partnership which will include a comprehensive codeshare agreement and increased flights between the East African state and Qatar Airways' award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport. The MoU signing took place on Tuesday in Doha between Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka. The partnership will see Qatar Airways introducing a third daily frequency between Doha and Nairobi in codeshare with Kenya Airways, with flights due to be available for booking over the coming days. The new offering will be complemented by the launch of Kenya Airways operated, and Qatar Airways marketed, flights between Mombasa and Doha during the coming winter season. The two airlines will also codeshare on both networks to offer seamless connections and greater choice for travellers from around the world. Additionally, both Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways will look to develop collaboration in other parts of the business, including cargo, airport and ground services, product development, loyalty programmes, procurement as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: 'This partnership is yet another demonstration of our deepening ties with the African region. Today's agreement – which comes as we celebrate 20 years of flying to Kenya – is coupled with our recognisable record of partnerships across the continent, most recently through our investment in Airlink. Our growing collaboration with our African counterparts ensures that Qatar Airways continues to contribute to the continent's rapidly evolving aviation and economic ecosystem.' Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, said: 'This partnership perfectly aligns with our airline's robust turnaround strategy, which saw Kenya Airways' return to profit for the first time in more than a decade earlier this year. The collaboration will also help expedite Kenya Airways' efforts to boost tourism and air cargo activities, turning these and others into pivotal economic growth propellers for Kenya and the East Africa region.' The partnership highlights two leading airlines collaborating to bring excellence to their global community of travellers. Kenya Airways, for the fourth consecutive year, has been recognised as Africa's Leading Airline and Business Class by the World Travel Awards 2025. Qatar Airways – the only five-star global airline based in the Middle East and the reigning World's Best Airline as voted by Skytrax in 2025 – offers over 170 weekly flights to 30 cities across Africa. Over the past year, Qatar Airways has also optimised its schedule in most African destinations to improve connectivity to key destinations, including Brussels, Guangzhou, London, New York, and Washington through its award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
These are the best airlines of 2025 – and no US carrier made the list. Here's why.
Skytrax recently released its World's Best Airline Awards of 2025 – also called the "Oscars of the aviation industry" – with Qatar Airways scoring the top spot for the ninth time and no U.S. airlines making the list. Since 1999, the aviation rankings organization has determined the annual awards based on results from the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey. For this year's list, the global survey was conducted from September 2024 to May 2025, with the winners announced on June 17. "We welcomed back a large number of previous winners and were also delighted to see new faces and airlines represented here today," said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, in a statement. "As is indicated by so many former winning airlines being present, quality consistency is clearly well recognised by customers when they vote for these airlines." Not only did Qatar Airways win World's Best Airline, but also Best Airline in the Middle East, World's Best Business Class and Best Business Class Airline Lounge. "This recognition is far more than an award, it is a celebration of the passion, precision and purpose that defines who we are as an airline," Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in the release. Airlines based in the Middle East and Asia dominated the top 10, with many repeat winners like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates, while no U.S. carriers made it into the top 20. Here are the top 20 airlines of 2025, according to Skytrax: Qatar Airways Singapore Airlines Cathay Pacific Emirates ANA All Nippon Airways Turkish Airlines Korean Air Air France Japan Airlines Hainan Airlines Swiss International Air Lines EVA Air British Airways Qantas Airways Lufthansa Virgin Atlantic Saudi Arabian Airlines STARLUX Airlines Air Canada Iberia U.S. carriers were absent from a majority of the Skytrax awards. However, two made it onto lists: Delta Air Lines scored the Best Airline Staff Service in North America, and JetBlue Airways was the sixth Best Regional Airline for 2025. (Regional airline awards are for those with mostly domestic flights and international ones up to six hours.) "This isn't just a ranking problem. It's a reputation and business problem," said Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of air passenger rights company AirAdvisor. "The reason U.S. airlines are failing to crack the top 10 isn't because they're incapable; it's because they're prioritizing margins over meaningful passenger experience." A 2024 report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found major U.S. airlines generating billions in revenue from charging "sky high junk fees," such as checked bags and seat assignments, to passengers. Between 2018 and 2023, seat reservation fees made a combined $12.4 billion for American, Delta, United, Frontier and Spirit. "U.S. carriers need to understand that international passengers and, increasingly, Americans too, expect more than just an on-time flight," said Radchenko, adding that they should invest in improving the traveler experience instead. "Travelers may not buy tickets based on awards, but they feel the difference, and they vote every day with their wallets and loyalty, he continued. "Until U.S. airlines close the gap on these fundamentals, we'll continue to see them locked out of the global top tier.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These are 2025's best airlines – and none are in the US
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar Aeronautical Academy, Qatar Airways sign cooperation agreement
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Aeronautical Academy (QAA) and Qatar Airways signed an agreement during the Paris International Air Show in France. On the sidelines of the exhibition, a pilot training agreement accredited by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was signed between QAA, represented by Director-General of QAA HE Sheikh Jabor bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Qatar Airways Group, represented by Group CEO Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer. The academy is expected to train approximately 750 students over five years, opening promising horizons for joint cooperation, exchange of expertise, development of national competencies in the aviation sector, and creating outstanding opportunities for young people wishing to join this field. Senior Vice President of Operations at Qatar Airways Captain Khalid Issa Al Hammadi said that this agreement reflects the ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of aviation professionals. Investment in the future of operations includes partnerships with leading global institutions and support for young talent to obtain the training and opportunities necessary to succeed in this dynamic industry. He expressed the group's pride in supporting initiatives that promote innovation, knowledge sharing, and long-term career growth in the advanced aviation sector. Al Hammadi noted that this agreement embodies Qatar Airways' dedication to investing in the nation's citizens and residents, the future generations, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar Airways' long-term strategy. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Passengers diverted due to Iranian strike on US airbase were on new flights within 24 hours, says Qatar Airways CEO
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Around 20,000 passengers who witnessed flight diversions following an Iranian missile strike on the US Al Udeid Airbase on Monday (June 23) were put on new flights within 24 hours, Badr Al Meer, Qatar Airways ' chief executive, said on Wednesday (June 25, 2025)."This week brought an operational crisis few airlines will ever encounter, and one that challenged the very core of what it means to run a global airline,' Al Meer said in a statement, The National reported. Tehran responded to the US attacks on its nuclear facilities and launched a missile strike on the Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar, escalating tensions in the gulf region amid the Israel-Iran conflict Following Iran's retaliation against Washington, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria all shut their airspaces. Besides this, airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai delayed Meer stated that more than 90 Qatar Airways flights to Doha were 'forced to divert immediately.' According to The National, at least 25 flights went to Saudi Arabia, 18 went to Turkey, 15 to India, 13 to Oman, and five to the UAE. Other aircraft were rerouted to locations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle Qatar Airways chief further said that around 151 Qatar Airways flights faced immediate disruptions and that the airline had no option but to adapt in real 'time—'without precedent and without pause.'Over 10,000 passengers were also present at the Hamad International Airport. 'They found themselves caught in the middle of one of the most severe and complex operational challenges in modern aviation history,' Al Meer said, according to The said that more than 11,000 passengers resumed their travel on Tuesday morning (June 24, 2025). Meanwhile, others departed later that evening and on Wednesday morning. 'As of today, there are no passengers from diverted flights left stranded,' Al Meer Qatar Airways, other airlines, including Emirates, had also sprung into action, suspending, delaying, cancelling, or rerouting flights in the Gulf region due to the Iranian strike. Etihad Airways cancelled services to and from Tel Aviv until July on Tuesday said its passengers experienced minimal disruptions after scheduled flights resumed within a few hours. Meanwhile, Dubai-based airline flydubai said it would resume operations to Damascus starting on Thursday. It said it plans to resume its full schedule from July 1.
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Doha-bound flights with 20,000 passengers were in air when Iran launched missile
More than 90 Qatar Airways flights carrying over 20,000 passengers were flying to Doha when Iran launched a missile attack at a US military base in Qatar, said the airline's group chief executive. In an open letter to its passengers, Engineer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said all those more than 90 flights were forced to divert immediately – 25 flights to Saudi Arabia, 18 to Turkey, 15 into India, 13 into Oman, and five into the UAE. The remaining aircraft were re-routed to major hubs including London, Barcelona, and others across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Al-Meer revealed that almost 100 aircraft were en route to Doha, several already on approach to runways, and others lining up for departure at Hamad International Airport, one of the world's busiest and most connected global hubs. Over 4,600 customers were provided hotel accommodation, using approximately 3,200 rooms across Doha. 'Many of these passengers received onward boarding passes for their rescheduled flights before even leaving the terminal… Over 35,000 meals were distributed, and water, comfort kits, and reassurance were offered face to face, flight by flight,' he added. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Following the US attack on three Iranian nuclear sites, Tehran launched a missile attack at the US's Al Udeid military base in Qatar, forcing the Gulf country to close its airspace. Similarly, Bahrain and Kuwait also closed their airspace temporarily. At the time of the attack, Al-Meer said over 10,000 passengers were already in transit inside Hamad International Airport. 'Around the world, some of our flight crews had timed out of legal operating hours. Most of our fleet, including A380s carrying more than 450 passengers each, were now out of position, some grounded at airports with curfews. Several flights had to wait for clearance to re-enter restricted regional airspace. Aircraft routing plans were rewritten in parallel with passenger itineraries. Over 151 flights were immediately disrupted. Every part of the operation had to adapt in real time — without precedent, and without pause,' he said. Recovery phase As soon as diverted aircraft began returning to Doha on Tuesday for several hours, the number of passengers in transit surged to over 22,000. To cope with this challenge, Qatar's national carrier said it activated its business continuity plans for resource planning, catering, ground transport, hotel accommodation, and real-time alignment with passenger movements, immigration, customs, and other stakeholder. 'Teams from across the airline group stepped into transit areas to assist passengers directly, rebooking journeys, prioritising medical cases, supporting families and elderly travellers, and manually rebuilding complex travel itineraries, some involving other airlines, and expired visas.' The airline increased capacity to destinations with high volumes of displaced passengers. Contact centre resources were scaled up to cope with global demand and a flexible travel policy was quickly established, allowing passengers who had not yet started their journeys to make changes or refund their bookings without fees. 20,000 passengers cleared in 24 hours By Tuesday, June 24, Qatar Airways operated a total of 390 flights. 'All passengers from diverted flights — approximately 20,000 in total — were cleared within 24 hours. More than 11,000 resumed their journeys during the morning wave on June 24, with the remainder departing through the evening wave and morning bank on June 25. As of today, there are no passengers from diverted flights left stranded,' Al-Meer said in the open letter. The airline resumed scheduled operations within 18 hours. 'Wave by wave, the system began to stabilise. By the end of Tuesday, more than 58,000 passengers had departed Doha.'
