Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker delivered the opening address at the airline’s biennial Commercial Conference in the Qatari capital, on Thursday November 13.

More than 300 delegates comprising of senior airline staff from across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific joined Doha-based colleagues for the event held at the Intercontinental City Hotel.

Themed Innovate Today, Inspire Tomorrow, the conference featured an overview of Qatar Airways’ commercial strategy for the remainder of this year and beyond, as well as discussions on a number of new and exciting commercial initiatives.

The event proved to be a great opportunity for Qatar Airways’ staff to network with colleagues from around the world, share ideas and discuss best business practices.

The day featured several presentations and panel discussions by the airline’s senior executives and ended with an entertainment filled gala dinner highlighting Qatar Airways’ signature hospitality.

“The year 2014 has been exceptional for Qatar Airways”, said the airline’s Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. “The airline has launched 11 new diverse destinations around the globe this year and has inducted 14 new aircraft into our fleet. Qatar Airways moved its entire operations to the world’s latest state-of-the-art hub, Hamad International airport and in June this year, hosted the largest and most important meeting for the aviation industry, the 70th IATA AGM.

“Qatar Airways took delivery of our first Airbus A380 in September this year and just last month we signed an MOU to add 20 new Gulfstream aircraft to our private jet division – Qatar Executive. Next month, as the global launch customer we are gearing up to receive our first Airbus A350 – a brand new aircraft type which the entire world will see for the first time in commercial service in Qatar Airways’ livery”.

With all these significant developments, His Excellency Mr. Al Baker encouraged the airline staff to be innovative and entrepreneurial in their approach to business and sales. “Just as Qatar Airways is renowned in the industry as a leader in the way it innovates and redefines the art of travel with its products on board and on ground, our commercial staff should also be innovative and inspiring in their approach to sales.”

Following the opening address by His Excellency Mr. Al Baker, Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Marwan Koleilat and other senior commercial staff addressed the attendees to provide them with strategic insights into the Group’s development plans for the next three years, along with an overview of how the key goals would be achieved.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of 141 aircraft to 145 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

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