How Qatar Airways Continues to Fly Around the World Sustainably
Sunday 19th of July 2020
How Qatar Airways Continues to Fly Around the World Sustainably
Qatar Airways, the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, is the first airline in the Middle East, and the fifth worldwide, to secure accreditation to the highest level in the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Environmental Assessment program. Committed to a sustainable operation, Qatar has taken the decision to ground its fleet of Airbus A380s.
The leading airline is one of the few global airlines to have never stopped flying throughout this crisis. And due to the pandemic’s impact on travel demand, the airline has taken the decision to ground its fleet of Airbus A380s as it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such a large aircraft in the current market.
Qatar Airways’ commitment to sustainability also extends to its home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), which was recently voted ‘Third Best Airport in the World’ and ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the sixth year in a row. Qatar has announced plans to expand capacity to more than 53 million passengers annually by 2022, further positioning itself as the airport of choice in the region for savvy international travellers.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive: Thanks to our strategic and diversified investment in our fleet, the viability of our operations has not been dependent on any specific aircraft type. This has enabled us to be one of the few global airlines to never stop operating during this crisis, carrying over two million passengers and in the process becoming the largest international airline in the world. Our fleet mix has enabled us to continue operating routes throughout this crisis ensuring we do not leave passengers stranded.
The airline has further enhanced its onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew. While the airline has introduced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for cabin crew, uniforms, passengers are now provided with a complimentary protective kit. Qatar also operated the first flight as the Maldives re-opened its borders on 15th July.