International conference was opened by Qatar’s Minister of Transport, H.E. Jassim Bin Saif Al Sulaiti
Conference is the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East
At a press conference, Qatar Airways announced the international expansion of its ground-handling subsidiary, QAS, will commence in 2018
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that it is the host of the 31st annual IATA Ground Handling Conference, taking place from 23–25 April in Doha.
The conference, the first of its kind to take place in the Middle East, was held under the patronage of and attended by Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications, His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, and drew more than 700 international delegates and guests from more than a dozen nations globally.
H.E. Mr. Al Sulaiti said: “We are tremendously proud to be hosting the 31st Annual IATA Ground Handling Conference, the first time this gathering is taking place in the Middle East. It is significant that Doha has been chosen as the inaugural host in the Middle East. The fact that so many delegates have chosen to attend this year’s conference is a demonstration of confidence in both Qatar Airways and the State of Qatar. We look forward to a successful gathering, and welcome all in attendance to the State of Qatar.”
A video highlighting Qatar Airways’ resilience amidst the illegal blockade against the State of Qatar was shown, as well as an additional video highlighting the airline’s many significant achievements during the past twenty years.
At a packed press conference, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker announced that its ground handling subsidiary, Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) will begin international expansion in 2018. Expanding QAS’s operations internationally will enhance Qatar Airways’ rapid growth plans, as well as provide other airlines and airports access to QAS’s capabilities and the profit and performance improvements that it deliver to its customers.
H.E. Mr. Al Baker said: “The decision to launch QAS internationally is a logical business decision. Our Ground Services division contracts with ground handlers across our extensive global network of more than 150 global destinations measuring their key performance indicators, and QAS is without doubt a global leader in this area.”
“It is significant that our plans for international expansion were announced at the IGHC, since we have a long-term relationship with IATA. The QAS management team holds key positions on the IATA technical working groups, proposing and implementing developments that improve standards across the aviation industry. By being the best in a high-tech, high-traffic, and high-growth environment, we provide innovative solutions for our customers that they don’t have access to through other ground handling agents.”
Launched in 2000 as a local ground handling agent (GHA) at Doha International Airport, QAS’s ability to stay ahead of the airline’s and the airport’s growth needs and maintain the quality of service delivery has been a driving factor in its success. Today QAS is the sole ground handling agent at Hamad International Airport (HIA), managing all ground handling requirements for approximately 225,000 flights per year with 99.5 per cent on-time performance for all international passenger, cargo and executive jet traffic.
Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) is an award-winning, premier ground handling organisation headquartered at Hamad International Airport (HIA). Since its establishment in 2000, QAS has developed a reputation as a premium provider of world-class ground services.
QAS is certified in IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO), ISO 9001, RA3 (Regulated Agent) and is a member of the IATA Ground Handling Partnership, proactively participating in various IATA technical groups such as IATA Ground Operations Manual, Load Control & Messaging, Ground Service Equipment & Environment and Airside Safety Group.
Qatar Airways operates a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft to a network of more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
The airline plans a host of exciting new destination launches this year, including London Gatwick and Cardiff, United Kingdom; Lisbon, Portugal; Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, Malta; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece and Málaga, Spain.
The award-winning airline has received a number of recent accolades, including ‘Airline of the Year’ by the prestigious 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held at the Paris Air Show. This is the fourth time that Qatar Airways has been given this global recognition as the world’s best airline. In addition to being voted Best Airline by travellers from around the world, Qatar’s national carrier also won a raft of other major awards at the ceremony, including ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2018, including Thessaloniki, Greece; Cardiff, UK and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘Airline of the Year’ by the 2017 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message - Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 60 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with more than 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters, 13 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747-8 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200