Qatar Airways enhances schedule and network; flies memorable year 2022

National carrier Qatar Airways operated nearly 14,000 flights during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which concluded on December 18 and was chosen as ‘The Greatest Tournament in the 21st Century’ in a BBC News poll.Qatar Airways provided "dedicated” passenger overflow spaces outside Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport, at no cost, where football festivities and live entertainment could be enjoyed while also providing storage space for luggage and carry-ons. This space allowed fans to continue enjoying the celebrations before they departed to their respective destinations.As part of the commitment to make the first ever FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 hosted in the Middle East and Arab world an "all-inclusive” gala event, Qatar Airways tied up with flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air and Saudia to connect match ticket holders to Doha via Match Day Shuttle flights for 24-hour experiences, during the tournament period.In 2017, Qatar Airways announced its partnership with FIFA as the 'Official Airline'. The alliance has gone on to connect and unite fans globally, with the national airline also sponsoring numerous football tournaments such as the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the FIFA Women's World Cup.In September, Qatar Airways was named "Airline of the Year” by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax, for an unprecedented seventh time. At a glittering event in London, the leading global airline also took home three additional awards including World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining, and Best Airline in the Middle East.The year 2022 saw Qatar Airways enhancing its schedule and network by increasing frequencies to many key destinations across the world.Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 150 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.This year Qatar Airways became the first airline in the Middle East and Africa region to announce its commitment for an international SAF offtake agreement.Qatar Airways and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer Gevo, Inc have signed an offtake agreement, where the airline will purchase 25mn gallons of neat SAF over the course of five years with deliveries expected to commence in 2028 at various airports in California.Qatar Airways will be uplifting 5mn gallons of neat SAF every year and will blend it with its existing supply of conventional jet fuel.In October, Qatar Airways announced the "deepening of its relationship” with JetBlue through the expansion of the airlines’ codeshare agreement.This expansion allows JetBlue passengers to enjoy unrivalled travel options between the United States and 11 new destinations, in eight different countries across Africa and Asia via Doha’s Hamad International Airport.In August, Qatar Aviation Services (QAS), the subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group, announced its partnership with International Air Transport Association (IATA) to become the first ground handler globally to join the new expansion of the IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA) for ground service providers.The IEnvA programme for ground service provides a framework for achieving environmental sustainability across all ground operations. Taking advantage of the knowledge and experience garnered from the airline programme, ground service providers can rely on its definitive guidance to reduce their impact on the environment, and improving health and safety for both employees and the community, while maintaining operational efficiency.In May, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia unveiled a new strategic partnership that will significantly expand both airlines’ networks, lounges and loyalty programmes.The partnership gives travellers greater access, unparalleled customer experience and unique benefits when travelling between Australia and Qatar Airways’ global network, with convenient transit options across Qatar Airways’ Australian gateways and key Virgin Australia hubs, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.The strategic alliance will provide a critical trade and tourism boost for Australia, while opening a world of new travel opportunities for both airlines customers.The multi-year sponsorship agreement between Qatar Airways and Concacaf entered its second year in 2022, with the airline taking centre stage as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League (CNL). The CNL presented by Qatar Airways is a premier international football competition of men’s national teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.Following six months of intense process and product audits, Qatar Airways Cargo announced in January that its strict adherence to the highest standards and relevant regulations has been accredited CEIV Live Animals certification by IATA.In November, Hamad International Airport opened the newly expanded terminal as part of its ‘Phase A’ expansion, which means the state-of-the-art airport will now be able to cater to 58mn passengers annually.The newly expanded terminal houses HIA’s second airport hotel – ‘Oryx Garden’ and ‘Orchard’ – an indoor tropical garden that has sourced 300 plus trees and 25,000 plants from sustainable forests around the world.Drenched in natural light and featuring sustainably sourced plants and shrubs, it offered a show-stopping, luxury shopping experience to fans with many first-of-a-kind retail outlets.In the expanded terminal, Qatar Duty Free started offering retail and F&B options with more than 65 retail and dining outlets spread across its three levels.The expansion now enables travellers to "seamlessly transfer” from one area to another, greatly reducing their wait time at the airport.