Qatar Airways is set to introduce 18 new airports to its network.

According to CEO Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways aims to broaden its flight schedule at U.S. airports and is targeting a total of 250 destinations globally, as he shared during a recent press conference in Seattle.

In 2023 alone, Qatar Airways has launched three new routes (Trabzon, Turkey; Lyon, France; and Toulouse, France) and has resumed flights to seven additional destinations after a pause due to the COVID pandemic (Beijing, China; Davao, Philippines; Nice, France; Tokyo Haneda, Japan; Casablanca and Marrakesh, Morocco; and Birmingham, England).

By the end of 2023, Qatar will introduce flights to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Ras Al Kaimah, United Arab Emirates. Looking ahead to next summer, six more destinations are on the agenda: Medan, Indonesia; Chittagong, Bangladesh; Osaka, Japan; Juba, South Sudan; Kinshasa, Congo; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

These new additions will expand the airline's global network to 185 airports.

Due to delays in aircraft manufacturing, largely stemming from supply chain issues related to the COVID era, some of Qatar Airways’ plans to expand to 250 global destinations will be postponed until 2025 or 2026, when Boeing and Airbus can provide additional aircraft.

Qatar Airways is renowned for its top-tier business seats and exceptional service. CEO Akbar Al Baker expresses confidence that global passenger demand will sustain the airline's growth. He notes, "From our hub at Hamad Airport in Doha, we are within seven hours of flight time to 65 percent of the world's population." Al Baker identifies India and Africa as key expansion targets, mentioning that these markets are currently "under-served in both quantity and quality" regarding air travel. However, he warns that "infrastructure constraints," including the necessity for better airports and improved airspace management, could hinder progress in these regions.

"There’s an abundance of business opportunities in new markets," says Al Baker. "Success will depend on creating the most efficient travel hubs and the fastest connections."

Qatar Airways’ Plans for Expansion in the U.S.

In the U.S., Qatar Airways intends to double its departures from Seattle and Miami to two flights daily, contingent on aircraft availability, as stated by Al Baker. Starting October 29, the airline will also increase its service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to three flights per day from the current two daily flights.

Furthermore, Qatar Airways will enhance its flight schedule to Washington, D.C. this winter. The airline will introduce a new 10:35 a.m. departure from Dulles International Airport that will operate three to five days a week, alongside the existing daily 8:05 p.m. departures, as noted by Craig Thomas, Qatar Airways’ vice president of sales for the Americas, in a statement to Dinogo.

In the upcoming weeks, Qatar will optimize its code-sharing agreements with American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines, enabling customers to more easily book connecting flights with these airlines and Qatar Airways on a single ticket, regardless of which airline’s website is used for booking.

According to Al Baker, the U.S. market presents a significant opportunity for Qatar Airways, not only for traditional leisure travel but also because of "the large diaspora from our region" now residing in the United States.

Commitment to Sustainability

At the recent news conference, Qatar Airways unveiled its latest sustainability initiatives, highlighting efforts to develop and utilize non-petroleum-based sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). "While our country produces oil, we aren't a major player like some of our neighbors," Al Baker remarked, emphasizing Qatar's commitment to alternative fuels.

The airline is currently involved in over 70 fuel optimization projects, which range from acquiring the most fuel-efficient aircraft to offering incentives for pilots who conserve fuel during flights and while taxiing. Additionally, Qatar Airways continues to invest in biofuel advancements, including funding an algae-based biofuel program at Qatar University.

According to a presentation at the Seattle news conference, Qatar Airways aims to have SAFs account for 10 percent of its total fuel supply by 2030. In May 2023, the airline entered into an agreement with Shell to incorporate a 5 percent SAF blend for all flights to Amsterdam over the next fiscal year, which is projected to cut flight emissions by 7,500 tons of CO2 during that period, the airline reported.

Al Baker highlighted that the primary obstacle to SAF adoption is its high cost. "Currently, SAF is four to five times pricier than conventional fuel," stated the CEO. "We can manage a 10 to 15 percent price increase, but a 500 percent jump would render air travel unaffordable." To address this, Al Baker noted that Qatar Airways is "one of the few airlines advocating for manufacturers" to expedite the development of affordable SAF options.

Numerous major airlines around the globe have pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a goal that will necessitate improved access to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).