Latest news with #QatarAirway
Mint
24-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Stuck in Doha, Travelers Look for Escape After Airspace Closes
(Bloomberg) -- A few hours after an Iranian air strike on Qatar, authorities in Doha reopened the airspace over one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world. But getting passengers back on track again has proven to be more complicated. At Hamad International Airport, typically a model of calm, efficiency and quiet luxury, ground staff were overwhelmed by travelers looking for a way out after the escalating regional conflict crossed their flight plans. Hundreds of stranded customers stormed transfer desks or clogged up escalators and waiting lounges. 'Tempers were certainly flaring,' said Howard Gottlieb, 68, from Arlington, Texas, whose return flight to Dallas after a trip to Africa was canceled. 'People were beginning to yell and push. Others were simply laying down in the middle of the crowd.' The turmoil underscores the fragility of the airline industry that's been forced to make short-term adjustments to flight paths and travel schedules as it gets caught up in regional conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East. The scenes playing out at Hamad airport stand in stark contrast to the seamless, globe-spanning operations brimming with luxury service that have put superconnector hubs like Doha and Dubai on the map and turned them into aviation trend-setters. Qatar Airway Chief Executive Officer Badr Al-Meer, who previously ran the airport, is now in his second year leading the airline. The company said it provided a travel alert with details on refunds and flight change information. In nearby Dubai, operations swiftly returned to normal at Emirates because the airspace there didn't close down as completely as in Qatar. The airline, the world's biggest international carrier, said in a statement that 'passengers experienced minimal disruptions to their travel,' and that the company 'quickly activated its robust contingency and disruption plans.' The clockwork routine that's normally associated with airline operations in the Persian Gulf was upended late on Monday night, just before Iran launched a missile strike at a US air base in the country. That move prompted Qatar to suspend transits over its air space, while flights in and out of Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub, were also temporarily halted. Marzahn Botha, who had traveled from Athens in the afternoon, finally made it Doha after a detour to Dammam in Saudi Arabia, where the plane waited for four hours before it was cleared to continue its journey to Qatar. When passengers finally got off at the airport, 'it was crazy,' Botha said in an interview. 'The queues were so long, some people missed their flight for standing in line.' Dozens of Gulf-bound flights on several commercial airlines were diverted en route to safer airports in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, India and Belgium, including those from London and Zurich to destinations like Dubai and Qatar, based on data from aviation consultant Cirium. For Gottlieb and his wife, their path out of Doha led them via a connection through Chicago and then on to their final destination in Dallas, he said in an interview. 'I'm fortunate enough to be able to purchase other tickets,' he said. 'I still have no idea how the refund will work — but at least we got out.' --With assistance from Anthony Palazzo. More stories like this are available on
Tourism Breaking News
13-06-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Qatar Airways and Art Basel sign a landmark partnership to enrich global cultural engagement
Post Views: 32 Qatar Airways announced a new global partnership with Art Basel. This long-term alliance reinforces Qatar Airway's role as a global connector of people, places, and culture. As Art Basel's Premium Partner, Qatar Airways will support all of the fair's prestigious annual exhibitions – in Basel, Paris, Hong Kong, Miami, as well as its newly launched edition in Qatar. This partnership goes beyond sponsorship and aims to deepen the airline's connection with a culture- and art-forward global demographic through one of the world's most respected names in the art world. The collaboration also marks the exciting introduction of Art Basel into the Middle East, with a new edition launching February 2026 in Doha. This will be the fair's first presence in the region and highlights Qatar's growing stature as a regional arts and cultural hub as the nation continues to evolve as a destination that inspires and connects the world through its National Vision 2030 roadmap. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: 'Our long-term collaboration with Art Basel goes beyond being just a partnership – it is a strategic alignment between two globally respected brands and a statement on Qatar's contributions to cultural development and exchange around the globe. Art Basel represents the highest calibre of international artistry and sophistication, and its audience of artists, collectors, and cultural influencers reflects the premium customer base that we serve every day. We are proud to support a platform that shares our values and aspirations on a global scale and in connecting the region with art and ideas from all over the world.' Art Basel Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Noah Horowitz, said: 'We are honoured to partner with Qatar Airways, a premium brand synonymous for world-class hospitality experiences and luxury travel, and truly excited to bring the partnership to life across our global platform, starting in Basel this June. Having just launched our fifth fair in Qatar, we are delighted to join forces with one of the leading Qatari brands to create new experiences and journeys to inspire art lovers and travellers around the world.' Through this partnership, Qatar Airways continues to demonstrate its broader brand ambition to be more than just a carrier, but a catalyst for discovery, inspiration and cultural dialogue. Art Basel Qatar will be held in collaboration with QC+ and Qatar Sports Investments, reflecting the country's broader cultural vision and its ambition to host a thriving creative ecosystem. The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar will be held in M7 creative hub and the Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb. Upcoming Art Basel Shows in 2025 Basel, 19-22 June 2025 Paris, 24-26 October 2025 Miami Beach, 5-7 December 2025 About Art Basel Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world's premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris, and Qatar. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel's engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms including the Art Basel App and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, the Art Basel Shop, and the Art Basel Awards. For further information, please visit
Qatar Tribune
11-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Airways, Art Basel sign landmark partnership to enrich global cultural engagement
DOHA: Qatar Airways has announced a new global partnership with Art Basel, the world's leading contemporary art fair. This long-term alliance reinforces Qatar Airway's role as a global connector of people, places, and culture. As Art Basel's Premium Partner, Qatar Airways will support all of the fair's prestigious annual exhibitions – in Basel, Paris, Hong Kong, Miami, as well as its newly launched edition in Qatar. This partnership goes beyond sponsorship and aims to deepen the airline's connection with a culture- and art-forward global demographic through the one of the world's most respected names in the art world. The collaboration also marks the exciting introduction of Art Basel into the Middle East, with a new edition launching February 2026 in Doha. This will be the fair's first presence in the region and highlights Qatar's growing stature as a regional arts and cultural hub as the nation continues to evolve as a destination that inspires and connects the world through its National Vision 2030 roadmap. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Eng Badr Mohammed Al Meer, said: 'Our long-term collaboration with Art Basel goes beyond being just a partnership – it is a strategic alignment between two globally respected brands and statement on Qatar's contributions to cultural development and exchange around the globe. Art Basel represents the highest calibre of international artistry and sophistication, and its audience of artists, collectors, and cultural influencers reflects the premium customer base that we serve every day. We are proud to support a platform that shares our values and aspirations on a global scale and in connecting the region with art and ideas from all over the world.' Art Basel Chief Executive Officer, Dr Noah Horowitz, said: 'We are honoured to partner with Qatar Airways, a premium brand synonymous for world-class hospitality experiences and luxury travel, and truly excited to bring the partnership to life across our global platform, starting in Basel this June. Having just launched our fifth fair in Qatar, we are delighted to join forces with one of the leading Qatari brands to create new experiences and journeys to inspire art lovers and travellers around the world." Through this partnership, Qatar Airways continues to demonstrate its broader brand ambition to be more than just a carrier, but a catalyst for discovery, inspiration and cultural dialogue. Art Basel Qatar will be held in collaboration with Qatar Creates and Qatar Sports Investments, reflecting the country's broader cultural vision and its ambition to host a thriving creative ecosystem. The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar will be held in M7 creative hub and the Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb. Upcoming Art Basel Shows in 2025 Basel, June 19-22 Paris,October 24-26 Miami Beach, December 5-7
