Qatar Executive records increase in 'total live flying hours' in 2023-24

The national airline’s corporate jet subsidiary Qatar Executive has seen increase in total live flying hours of more than 18% in 2023-24 fiscal year, Qatar Airways said in its latest annual report.

Since its launch in 2009, the VIP charter jet division of Qatar Airways has played an integral role in the group’s vigorous global growth strategy.

As the world’s only business jet brand fully-owned and operated by a commercial airline, QE is “unwavering in its commitment” towards meeting customer requirements and expectations at every turn.

This has resulted in consistent growth that has been reflected throughout the 2023-24 fiscal year, with increases in commercial charter sales revenues of more than 20% and total live flying hours of more than 18% as well as a strategic programme of fleet growth and enhancements to client experience.

At a media ceremony in Doha in May, Group CEO Badr Mohamed al-Meer had said Qatar Executive would be adding more business jets to its fleet in view of rising demand from all over the world.

“At Qatar Executive, we already have a fleet of 15 G650s. Qatar Executive expects an additional eight G700 to be delivered in the near future, with two aircraft already received and two more set to arrive within weeks,” al-Meer had said.

The world’s first Gulfstream G700, a premium business jet owned by QE was “exclusively revealed” at the media ceremony at the Hamad International Airport in May.

By welcoming two new Gulfstream G700 aircraft to the fleet, Qatar Executive has become the worldwide exclusive commercial operator of the aircraft.

Meanwhile, in its latest annual report Qatar Airways said that over the course of the year, a continued programme of robust expansion has seen the QE global client base grow exponentially, particularly in Europe, the US and Asia, supporting the wider Group’s strategic focus on becoming the definitive business jet provider for ultra long-range flights.

With a consistent focus on sustainability and innovation, QE has continued to invest in the most technologically-advanced aircraft that boast lower fuel consumption and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capabilities – streamlining its fleet and future fleet arrivals to meet the expectation of the ability to fly on SAF.

Alongside this, QE strives to optimise its fleet journeys to ensure reduced fuel consumption, leading to lower carbon emissions overall.

As part of its commitment to excellence, QE underwent audits for two international standards in April 2023 – International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) and Wyvern Wingman.

As two of the most internationally recognised aviation safety standards in the business and charter jet fields, these audits focus on critical subjects, such as the Safety Management System (SMS) implemented in QE as an operator.

QE was awarded both certifications in July 2023.

On the world stage, QE took part in several key global aviation and business aviation events throughout 2023, including EBACE, Paris International Air Show and Dubai Airshow.