Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines recently signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MoU), confirming a significant expansion of the existing codeshare agreement, and outlining greater benefits and more seamless connections between the two partners.
The MoU signed by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker and China Southern Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer Han Wensheng, builds upon the existing codeshare agreement signed by the airlines in December 2019.
Qatar Airways was established on November 22, 1993 and operations started on January 20, 1994 where as China Southern Airlines was established on July 1, 1988.
This latest MOU would significantly increase how the two airlines cooperate and would add more significant benefits for Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines passengers.
As part of the collaboration, all future flights between China and Qatar will be code-shared, allowing passengers to benefit from seamless connecting flights.
The closer cooperation will also provide greater customer benefits, including increased joint lounge access and a soon-to-be confirmed enhanced frequent flyer agreement.
In addition, the two airlines agreed to support the growth of Beijing’s Daxing International Airport, into a leading international aviation hub for both passenger and cargo services.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker said, “This is the latest chapter in the story of our airline’s continued journey to provide an enhanced and seamless customer experience for passengers travelling via our two hubs of Hamad International Airport, the new Beijing Daxing International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
China Southern Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer Han Wensheng, said: “As the largest airline in China, the strategic cooperation between China Southern Airlines and Qatar Airways will provide global passengers with expanded travel options and an exceptional travel experience. Our collaboration will also lay a solid foundation for the development of Beijing Daxing International Airport into a global aviation hub.”
The expanded codeshare agreement is the latest development in Qatar Airways programme of strengthening strategic cooperation between key global airlines, which has already seen partnerships with American Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Oman Air and RwandaAir in recent months.
The enhanced cooperation between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines is subject to the lifting of current travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and regulatory approvals.
The national carrier of the State of Qatar continues to rebuild its network, which currently stands at over 140 destinations. With more frequencies being added to key hubs, Qatar Airways offers unrivalled connectivity to passengers, making it easy for
them to change their travel dates or destination as required.
Qatar Airways was recently announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021. A multiple award-winning airline was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’.
The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).
Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline’s home and hub, was recently announced as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. HIA has been steadily rising in the ‘World’s Best Airports’ rankings since the start of its operations in 2014.
Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.
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 160 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, B777, A350, 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 World Cup Qatar 2022TM, 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, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub.
Qatar Airways owns a 5 percent stake in China Southern while it holds 20 percent stake in British Airways. Likewise, it has a 10 percent stake in South America’s LATAM Airlines Group and 49 percent of Italy’s Meridiana and 9.99 percent stake in Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific.
Qatar’s flagship airline has also sought new partnership investment to the lucrative markets of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
