Airspace “illegally blocked”: Qatar Airways CEO
As Qatar and its neighbours enter the second week of its dispute, where Qatar has been cut off from surrounding nations of the UAE, Saudia Arabia and Bahrain, Qatar Airways CEO has finally spoken out on the issue.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt all cut ties with Qatar early last week, blocking movement between the countries, which included air transport. It also has prevented Qataris from transiting in airports of these nations.
The reason given for the blockade was that Qatar was supporting terrorism and posed a security risk to the surrounding regions, a claim the country firmly denies.
As a result, Qatar Airways has suspended flights to these nations, while Etihad, flyDubai and Emirates have also stopped flights into Qatar.
Now, speaking to Doha-based media outlet, Aljazeera, Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker has called the ban on Qatar and the national carrier “illegal”, but has maintained the airline will bounce back from this setback.
“This is the last thing any CEO of an airline would want to hear, that the airspace in which it operates, international airspace, in which it operates has illegally been blocked,” al-Baker told the publication.
“[But] Qatar is very resilient. And we have managed to make sure that life will continue as normal.
“For us, the biggest priority is for us to have a gateway in and out of my country, which we are very successfully handling, and at the same time, it is our passengers for which it is our responsibility.
“First, to re-route them, second to give them a full refund if they chose to do so, and thirdly if they choose to travel on Qatar Airways, that we give them the highest amount of care.”
Al-Baker assured Aljazeera that any passenger booking on Qatar Airways will be entitled to a refund if they change their mind and no longer wish to travel with them, insisting passengers “don’t have any risk of losing the money that they have invested in Qatar Airways”.
Having just recorded a profit of $541 million and a passenger number boost of 20 per cent, al-Baker said Qatar would persevere financially, but didn’t hide the fact that he fears this blockade would see Qatar Airways “underperform” in the next profit report.
“But not to the extent of our neighbours, because Qatar Airways has a very strong growth plan,” al-Baker told Aljazeera.
Now with the ban shutting the airline out of 18 destinations in total, al-Baker said they would look to other profitable markets.
“We are now going to accelerate the other regions of the world, where we feel that we will mitigate the reduction in passenger numbers from this 18 destinations.”
He added to Aljazeera that while Qatar Airways would suffer financially, this plan would ensure that they wouldn’t suffer as much as their neighbours running what he called an “illegal” blockade.
“What is also doing is letting the entire region’s air connectivity confidence to be lost,” al-Baker said to Aljazeera. “They are in the same basket.
“So they should not think that they’ll be going laughing to the bank, while they are putting economic pain on my country.”
Citing the Chicago Convention, which last week was reported to be the airline’s lifeline in terms of access to airspace to the rest of the world, al-Baker told the publication it meant the airlines were “disregarding an airspace that had been provided to them by a UN body to administer for the purpose of international air transport facilitation and safety”.
“So they do not have the right to blockade this,” he told Aljazeera.
“There is a political motivation because this state of Qatar is always at the forefront of solving problems in our region, trying to bring a look at things in a very stable manner.
“Qatar is also taking high profile political initiatives, and this is creating jealousy.”
Al-Baker added that it was too soon to evaluate any losses.
“I don’t want to tell you a loss, and you know raise an alarm, while I am as a businessman and as CEO of Qatar Airways finding other business opportunities, where I will mitigate these losses that I’m having in the destinations they have to withdraw from,” he told Aljazeera.
“We will celebrate again a good profit next year by the will of God. We will grow into new markets.
“When we withdrew from one destination for example, we didn’t close the airline down. We looked at five new destinations, and this is exactly what we’re doing.”
Al-Baker also added to Aljazeera that the Qatar hosting, and Qatar Airways sponsorship of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, would not be affected by this rift.
“I am sure that 2022 [World Cup] will be conducted in my country, and I assure you, that it will be the best FIFA tournament taken place, ever, in this world.
“Similarly, when we launched IATA AGM here, people still talk about it, because in Qatar we are always doing our job to the best.”
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
-
Latest comments
Latest News
Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland
Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]
Get ready to roll the marketing dice with Susan Coghill: Travel DAZE EXEC 2024
It's heating up in Cairns and we're not talking about the weather! Get ready for a marketing masterclass with Susan.
Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers
French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]
Cebu Pacific campaign aims to boost Aussie trips to the Philippines
Cebu Pacific's bouncy singalong ad campaign 'Fly to Happy, Fly to the Philippines’ aims to get more bums on seats.
Tauck’s new river and small ship ocean cruises, plus increased Seine capacity
Tauck adding itineraries like it's going out of fashion, which cruising certainly isn't.
Railbookers and La Dolce Vita Orient Express partner up for new luxury Italian itineraries
Fancy a luxurious trip through Italy? Who are we kidding, we know you do. Start your daydream here.
Luxury Travel Collection’s Nikki Glading spills all on member network perks: Travel Weekly TV
We urge you to enjoy this in true LTC style and lift a glass of bubbles with lunch today.
Auckland’s new domestic terminal comes with all the modern gadgets
We're not talking about drones or VR goggles, but these updates will change the game in Auckland.
Air New Zealand crew sign up for Sign Language Week
Have you signed up for Sign Language Week? Let this be your sign to do so!
Holland America Line gives one lucky winner the Ultimate Alaskan Cruise Experience
There's only one winner, so it's sort of like the Hunger Games of cruise prizes... but no one gets hurt.
TAG’s Byron Carr excited about K-Pop induced Asia expansion
Carr to go all Gangnam Style with TAG's Asian expansion
CATO commemorates 25 years with anniversary dinner
CATO's putting on a fancy spread to celebrate 25 years as other 25 year olds celebrate their HECS debt being cut.
Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024 opens with a vibrant ceremony at Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau
Two days in Fiji! If you didn't attend this conference we're sure you've got FOMO.
Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents
World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]
Seabourn’s two new value-add offers for 2024-25
Seabourn's doing a two for one deal. Kind of like a fast-food promo but its luxury cruising.
PONANT commercial team expands to meet growing demand in APAC
Can't remember that Ponant contact you met at a networking event? Good chance they're included in this update.
Gen Z and millennials on track for rise in Europe rail trips, says TruTravels
Despite what you think, Gen Z and Millennials are not 'off the rails', but instead want a fast track to Europe.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
Envoyage premieres Worldwide 2024 in Santiago
There has been a warm reception for 300 attendees at Envoyage's gabfest in Santiago, Chile.
Disney Destinations launches epic Aussie agent incentive
Everyone needs a bit of Disney in their life (apparently) and agents can get their next dose for free here.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’
No more island hopping to Palau as Nauru Airlines hits this boundary six.
Etihad Airways boosts connectivity with five interline partnerships
Etihad high fives itself with interline partnerships announcing a handful of new airlines, including Rex.
Discover the enchantment of India – A tale of timeless cities
Whether you're game enough to test out the street food or not, we recon India should be top of your list.
Qantas cops $100m penalty with passengers to get $20m back over cancelled flights
Qantas cops a $100m civil penalty, passengers to get back $20m over cancelled flights to resolve ACCC court battle.
Body found off Sydney Heads suspected to be missing cruiser
Tragic developments onboard Pacific Adventure this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours ‘Wonderlust Sale’ offers the wonders of the world for less
More for less... Great news for all apart from Wendy's wallet.
Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand
Booking.com launches new AI feature in Aus. We're hoping AI never gets the nuance involved with writing these jokes.
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
Well having flown Business on 4 sectors with Qatar late last year, good luck with Qatar Airways sorting this mess out.
Had issues with flight service on two sectors and many weeks to be credited with the FF points.
Disorganised and generally unresponsive to our issues. So with the current problems, sorting flight and booking issues that crop up, may well be rather difficult !!.