Doha-based Qatar Airways is to join the Oneworld alliance, sponsored by British Airways, and should join in 12 – 18 months time. Qatar Airways will be Oneworld’s second Middle East member airline, alongside Royal Jordanian, which joined in 2007.
Qatar Airways serves 120 destinations in 70 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australasia. Fifteen of these and three countries – Iran, Rwanda and the Seychelles – will be new to Oneworld.
Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, said: “Alliances are playing an increasingly important role in the airline industry today – and that will continue long into the future. Qatar Airways has carefully reviewed its strategic options and it is very clear that joining Oneworld is by far the best way forward for us as we look to strengthen our competitive offering and give passengers what they fully deserve – more choice.”
Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of IAG, parent of British Airways and Iberia, said: “In Qatar Airways, Oneworld is pleased to welcome another great airline that will enhance Oneworld’s network and product offerings in one of the world’s fastest growing regions for air travel demand.”
