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Travel and tourism sector is set to contribute an “all-time high” of QR90.8bn to the Qatari economy this year, which will account for 11.3% of total output, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR).The sector will support more than 334,500 jobs across Qatar, which will account for 15.8% of the total workforce in 2024, WTTC noted.Spending by international travellers is expected to increase significantly this year, with forecasts indicating a record spend of QR 69.6bn this year, while domestic spend is projected to reach QR12bn.“This success is testament of the government’s commitment in prioritising collaboration between the public and private sectors to boost Qatar’s travel and tourism, creating diverse and immersive experiences for visitors.“As part of these collaborative efforts, dedicated working groups across multiple industries have been established, with regular meetings planned to tackle challenges and leverage private sector expertise to drive travel and tourism growth,” WTTC said in its Economic Impact Research.WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said, “Qatar's travel and tourism sector is poised to break records this year, highlighting its significance as a leading destination in the Middle East.“While international visitor spending is lagging behind the previous peak, the government’s efforts and emphasis in collaboration will propel Qatar’s travel and tourism growth, setting the stage to play a crucial role in the national economic landscape, promising a future defined by prosperity and opportunity.”The global tourism body is forecasting that the sector will grow its annual GDP contribution to more than QR135bn by 2034, nearly 13% of Qatar’s economy, and is projected to employ nearly 458,000 people across the country, with one in five residents working in the sector.The Middle Eastern Travel & Tourism sector grew by more than 25% in 2023 to reach almost $460bn.Jobs reached nearly 7.75mn and international spending grew by 50% to reach $179.8bn. Domestic visitor spending grew by 16.5% to reach more than $205bn.WTTC is forecasting that Travel & Tourism across the region will continue to grow throughout 2024 with the GDP contribution set to reach $507bn.Jobs are forecast to reach 8.3mn, international visitor spending is forecast to reach $198bn and domestic visitor spending is expected to reach more than $224bn.World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed the Qatari travel and tourism sector reached new heights last year, with GDP contribution, jobs and domestic traveller spend all surpassing previous peaks.Last year, travel and tourism GDP contribution grew by 31% to reach a record-breaking QR81.2bn, representing 10.3% of Qatar’s total economic output, demonstrating the sector’s importance to the national economy, WTTC noted.The sector also proved to be a vital source of employment, creating more than 20,300 new jobs, and raising the total to nearly 286,000 nationwide, representing one in every eight jobs across the country.Domestic visitor spend was also stronger than ever to reach QR1.4bn.“Yet despite holding the FIFA World Cup in the previous year (2022) and with spending by overseas visitors increasing by nearly 40% year-on-year to reach QR60.4bn, it was still behind the previous peak by QR1.2bn,” WTTC said.

Baggage mishandling is a major cause for passenger frustration and dissatisfaction in the global airline industry..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[193169]**Delayed or mishandled baggage delay flights, as time is spent locating and correctly loading them. Mishandled baggage often creates congestion in baggage claim areas, affecting overall airport efficiency.Obviously, high-profile incidents of baggage mishandling attract negative media attention, harming an airline’s reputation.Passengers often share their negative experiences on social media, which quickly spread and damage the particular airline's brand image.However, a recent industry report said there is an actual improvement in the air transport industry’s rate of mishandled baggage. This is despite passenger numbers rising above 2019 levels for the first time in five years, growing to 5.2bn, in 2023.According to SITA, which provides IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry, the number of bags mishandled by the industry falling from 7.6 to 6.9 per 1,000 passengers in 2023.In its recent report, SITA noted the long-term trend underlines the positive impact of technology investments. A steep 63% drop in the mishandling rate from 2007-2023 happened as passenger traffic rose by 111%.But the industry still faces challenges, particularly managing surges in baggage volumes. Pushing ahead with the industry’s digitalisation agenda is vital, argues the survey, focusing on AI for data analysis and computer vision tech in automated baggage handling.That push must include full automation, good communication, and full visibility of each bag’s journey. Other SITA research reveals passenger anxiety about delays and cancellations (32% in 2023).It shows that two-thirds of airlines now offer unassisted bag drop, and 85% of airports offer self-service bag drop. This reflects industry demand for self-service tech for better passenger flows. At the same time, passengers want to use their mobile phones as they travel, including at bag collection.Today, 32% of passengers rely on bag collection information sent straight to their mobile. Better communication and visibility for passengers will encourage more use of digital self-service and give passengers control over their journey.Collaboration is critical. While airlines and airports share baggage data, there’s still room for improvement. At baggage collection only 58% of airlines share data.At the same time, 66% of airports share baggage delivery data with airlines. SITA’s Baggage IT Insights survey cites IATA’s call for full baggage tracking and real-time status data as part of its Resolution 753 initiative, with data sharing across the bag journey. The survey also points to Airports Council International’s call for self-service, real-time communication, and visibility for passengers to reduce stress and anxiety.David Lavorel, SITA CEO, said, “The improved mishandled baggage rate in 2023 is great news for passengers and for aviation. It’s especially impressive as global passenger traffic grew strongly in 2023 and is set to double by 2040.“We clearly see from the SITA Baggage IT Insights results that baggage automation is the way forward, with more collaboration, more communication with passengers, and investments in new technologies such as AI and computer vision to make the journey smoother.“From my own travel experiences, I can say this will be really welcome. Technologies like these are essential because they help us gather, integrate, and share data effectively. This means we can uncover important insights that make decision-making easier and more automated.”Looking at Asia Pacific, the SITA Baggage IT Insights report shows a steady long term baggage mishandling rate at 3.1 per 1,000 passengers in 2007 and 3.0 in 2023. However, this still reflects the best rate globally in terms of mishandled baggage.The report comments on the commendable and consistent levels in the region despite the challenges of recovery. It highlights the success of investments in digitalising the baggage handling process.Industry experts say that in order to mitigate mishandling, airlines need to invest in advanced tracking systems like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).Proper training for baggage handling staff and maintaining adequate staffing levels are essential to reduce mishandling, requiring ongoing investment.Addressing baggage mishandling requires significant investment in technology, staff training, and operational processes to ensure efficiency and improve passenger satisfaction.

Qatar’s GDP growth projection for this year stands at 2.2% and is expected to rise to 2.9% in 2025, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has said in a report.The latest ‘Economic Insight’ report for the Middle East, commissioned by ICAEW and compiled by Oxford Economics, predicts a slow recovery for the GCC region this year due to extended oil production curbs.The GCC growth forecast has been revised down to 2.2% from 2.7% three months ago, though non-energy sectors remain resilient, including in Qatar and Bahrain, it said.The Opec+ group’s extension of voluntary output cuts through Q3 implies a delayed recovery in GCC energy sectors. GCC oil output will now shrink by 2.6% this year instead of the 1.3% expansion forecasted three months ago, ICAEW noted.Saudi Arabia, which is cutting production to the greatest extent, will see oil activities contract by 5% this year, down from a predicted growth of 0.7% three months ago. However, as voluntary production cuts are reversed in 2025, energy sectors will begin making positive contributions to GCC growth.Bahrain’s GDP growth is 3.1% this year, but is expected to slow to 1.4% in 2025,“Since Qatar is not involved in the Opec+ production quotas, its gas sector is a priority, with authorities doubling down on the North Field gas expansion project, promising a positive medium-term impact,” ICAEW said.Bahrain, on the other hand, continues to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues. Last year, its non-oil growth grew by 3.4%, accounting for nearly 84% of GDP.High-frequency data paints a positive outlook for non-energy sectors across the GCC.In Saudi Arabia, investments are expected to flow into key sectors supporting giga-projects, including construction, manufacturing, and transportation.Strong momentum in the sports and entertainment sector will also be seen as the country’s transformation continues. The hospitality sector will likely follow, with tourism remaining key to Saudi’s growth agenda.Tourism is a strategic sector in other countries too, and will remain a key growth driver. Tourism activity has rebounded strongly, with record visitor numbers across the GCC in 2023, extending into this year.According to ICAEW, non-oil economies will continue to grow despite the GCC’s fiscal positions deteriorating. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait will likely see budget deficits this year and next as the current oil price level is below the fiscal breakeven point. “However, the overall GCC budget position will likely remain in surplus, bolstered by strong financial standings and favourable credit ratings, allowing continued access to funding from capital markets and IPOs,” ICAEW noted.Hanadi Khalife, head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: “While geopolitical risks present headwinds for the GCC and wider Middle East, we are encouraged by the ongoing commitment to diversification and sustainability targets.“Qatar, for example, became the first GCC sovereign to issue green bonds despite not having explicit net-zero targets. Bahrain is also aligning its non-oil economic growth with its Economic Vision 2030 and COP28 commitments to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2035.”Scott Livermore, ICAEW economic adviser, and chief economist and managing director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: “Although the region faces escalating pressures amid slowing global economies, the GCC remains relatively positive due to strong bilateral deals and investment.“Qatar recently signed a 20-year supply contract with India for 7.5mn tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually, and a 27-year contract with Taiwan for 4mn tonnes.“Bahrain has also seen significant investment growth following the launch of the Golden License initiative in April 2023, which requires a minimum investment of $50mn and the creation of at least 500 jobs. Bahrain’s financial services sector contributed nearly 18% of GDP, surpassing oil, which contributed 16%.”The GCC inflation forecast for 2024 has been lowered by 0.3 percentage points to 2.2% this year, with a further slowdown to 2.1% expected next year.Excluding housing rents in some countries, notably Saudi Arabia, inflationary pressures remain contained, with rates below 2% in all GCC countries except Kuwait and the UAE.Given the exchange rate pegs against the US dollar, GCC central banks tend to track the US Federal Reserve's policy rates.The US Federal Reserve is expected to begin gradually cutting policy rates in September, totalling a 150bps reduction by the end of 2025, ICAEW added.

Hospitality industry revenue in Qatar expected to witness the highest growth rate in GCC until 2028, Alpen Capital has said in a report.Qatar’s hospitality sector is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% (from $0.9bn in 2023) to $1.5bn in 2028.The growth will be fuelled by investments in developing luxury infrastructure and successful hosting of international sporting events, it said in its latest report on ‘GCC Hospitality Industry’.According to Alpen Capital, Qatar has grown as a global tourism destination driven by hosting large-scale sporting events and the continuous development of tourism-related infrastructure over the past two years.The growth momentum that built up since the FIFA World Cup 2022 is expected to continue, owing to the strategies implemented by the government since the conclusion of the tournament.Qatar offers visas on arrival to citizens from about 102 countries and has simplified its visa procedure by re-launching the Hayya platform in 2023, which serves as a centralised platform for all tourist and corporate visas.The report noted that Qatar has also developed a number of tourist attractions, including various cultural and modern landmarks, such as the Meryal Water Park, The Pearl Island, and the Katara cultural village.Under its national tourism strategy, the country aims to attract about 6mn visitors annually and increase the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to 12% by 2030.“To achieve these targets, Qatar has placed its focus on hosting large-scale international events to attract tourists to the country,” Alpen Capital said.In 2024 alone, Qatar is slated to host over 80 events scheduled throughout the year, including cultural festivals, sports tournaments, e-mobility panels, summits, and others.These efforts from the government to increase the number of international tourists in the country are expected to drive demand for accommodations and hospitality services across the country. Therefore, the hotel room supply in Qatar is projected to grow at an annualised rate of 6.3% from 2023 to 2028, and the occupancy rate is estimated to expand to 65.0% by 2028.Consequently, the average daily rates (ADRs) are expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.1%, reaching $125 by 2028 from $112.6 in 2023, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 4.5% to reach $81.2 by 2028 from $65.3 in 2023.Besides Qatar, Kuwait is expected to grow above the GCC average over the forecasted period (2023 to 2028), Alpen Capital said.

Bird strikes on aircraft pose significant problems for the global airline industry. Safety risks include accidents that result in passenger and crew injuries or fatalities..text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;}}**media[190645]**Bird strikes damage critical parts of an aircraft, such as engines, windshields, and control surfaces, leading to potentially catastrophic failures.A few days ago, a Virgin Australia jet was forced to make an emergency landing in New Zealand following a "possible bird strike" following takeoff, which caused flames to shoot from its engines.Virgin Airlines VA148 – a twin-engine Boeing 737-800 that had 67 passengers and six crew on board – landed at Invercargill Airport on New Zealand’s South Island around an hour after departure, according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware.The airline said a bird strike likely caused the fire, with passengers reporting a series of loud bangs and flashes coming from the engine almost immediately after the plane's wheels left the tarmac."Virgin Australia can confirm that all passengers have disembarked VA148, which landed safely at New Zealand’s Invercargill Airport following a possible bird strike after departing from Queenstown Airport," noted Virgin Australia Chief Operations Officer Stuart Aggs.Industry sources say bird strikes occur at a rate of about four in every 10,000 flights, with the consequences varying in severity depending on where aircraft are hit.Bird strikes are collisions between aircraft and birds, although these also involve ground collisions with animals such as deer, rabbits, dogs, and even alligators.The first bird strike was recorded by Orville Wright in 1905, over a cornfield in Ohio.These incidents are not uncommon, occurring daily with some seasonal variation due to bird migratory patterns. One of the most famous bird strikes was the 2009 US Airways Flight 1549, which encountered a flock of Canadian geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, resulting in both engines failing and a successful emergency landing in the Hudson River by Captain Sully Sullenberger.More than 14,000 bird strikes are reported each year in the United States alone, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. In 2022, the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority reported nearly 1,500 bird strikes over the year, according to Al Jazeera.Between 2008 and 2017, the Australian Transport Safety Board recorded 16,626 bird strikes, while the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States reported 17,200 bird strikes in 2022 alone.According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), nearly 90% of bird strikes occur near airports during takeoff, landing, or at lower altitudes where bird activity is most common.The consequences of a bird strike can vary widely depending on factors such as the aircraft type.For instance, bird strikes may be fatal for single-engine planes. Globally, since 1988, there have been some 262 fatalities due to bird strikes and 250 aircraft destroyed.On the other hand, the recent incident involving the twin-engine Virgin Australia aircraft did not result in any death or serious injuries to passengers. This was because the Boeing 737-800 could continue flying on the other engine to an alternate airport.Birds ingested into aircraft engines often cause engine failure, requiring costly and time-consuming inspections and repairs.A study carried out in 2020 by German researchers at the Delft University of Technology and the Netherlands Institute of Flight Guidance at the German Aerospace Center, looked at the rate of bird strikes per movements of aircraft in several countries around the world. It found Australia had the highest bird strike rate – nearly eight for every 10,000 aircraft movements. The US had the lowest at 2.83.Most bird strikes occur early in the morning or at sunset when birds are most active. Pilots are trained to be vigilant during these times.Radar can be used to track flocks of birds. However, this technology is ground-based and not available worldwide so it can’t be used everywhere.Bird strikes rarely occur at higher altitudes. Collisions tend to occur when planes are in the same space where birds usually fly, such as when aircraft are approaching, landing at and departing from airports.Bird strikes pose a significant risk to aircraft safety, with potential consequences ranging from minor engine issues to catastrophic failure and accidents.Vigilance, training, and technological solutions are key components of efforts to prevent and mitigate these incidents.Bird strikes remain a persistent challenge and necessitate ongoing vigilance and innovation in mitigation strategies.

Qatar is aiming to raise tourism and travel industry’s contribution to its GDP to 12% by 2030, according to Alpen Capital.The country aims to attract over 6mn visitors by then, Alpen Capital said in its report on ‘GCC Hospitality Industry’.The growth in Qatar’s tourism industry is attributed to supportive government campaigns and the frequent hosting of international events as part of the country’s Tourism Strategy 2030.To support the surge in tourism, the country has a strong lineup of hotel projects under construction.By the end of 2023, Qatar has had over 36 projects underway, with some 8,922 rooms under construction.Qatar’s hotel room supply amounted to 37,539 keys in 2022, accounting for 4.4% of the GCC’s overall capacity.Qatar recorded an addition of 12,372 rooms between 2017 and 2022, increasing at a CAGR of 8.3%. This growth was driven by the need to accommodate visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2022, which started in November 2022.In the same year, Qatar witnessed an addition of 7,852 keys, marking an annual increase of 26.4% in the country's hotel room supply.After the conclusion of the tournament, Qatar has continued to witness heightened tourism activity, as the country attracted over 4mn visitors in 2023.In Qatar, the (hotel) occupancy rate remained stable at 57% from 2020 to 2022. Although international tourist arrivals in the country surged over threefold to reach 2.6mn in 2022, the demand was met through the increased supply of hotels in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup 2022.Even after the tournament, Qatar continued to consistently attract tourists. However, it is expected to take some time for the surplus hotel supply to be absorbed by the rising demand for accommodation, according to Alpen Capital.The increase in occupancy rates over the last three years and rising average daily rate (ADR) levels resulted in increased RevPAR across all the GCC nations.The average RevPAR in the GCC rose from $45.5 in 2020 to $97.2 in 2022, majorly driven by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.Qatar witnessed the most significant RevPAR increase, from $56.2 in 2020 to $116.5 in 2022. This growth was due to a substantial increase in the country’s ADR during the FIFA World Cup 2022, which overshadowed the minor decline in the occupancy rate.The researcher says the growth in room capacity is expected to be the fastest in Qatar, registering a CAGR of 6.3% during the five-year period (up to 2028) followed by Oman (4.9% CAGR), Bahrain (4.9% CAGR), Saudi Arabia (3.9% CAGR), UAE (3.5% CAGR), and Kuwait (3.0% CAGR).

Qatar Executive (QE), the corporate jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group, is adding more business jets to its fleet in view of demand from all over the world, noted Group CEO Badr Mohamed al-Meer.“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 said.He said the demand for private jets has been increasing since the Covid-19 pandemic.“People are preparing to fly more on private jets... and once they experienced what private aviation is all about, I think they got addicted to flying on our fleet.“The demand (for private jets) is from all over the world. We are the biggest operator of Gulfstream and we get requests from international customers. And this is why a big portion of our aircraft are based in Europe, US or in Asia. Basically, we are catering to demand from all over the world,” al-Meer revealed.He said the new G700 fleet will enter full commercial service in June, and QE is already taking advance expressions of interest from clients to charter the new aircraft.The G700 represents the future of private air travel, offering a superior flying experience with unrivalled design, technology, comfort and style.The aircraft offers an exceptionally spacious passenger cabin consisting of four individual living areas including a dedicated private rear stateroom with a permanent fixed bed.The bespoke cabins have been designed and meticulously crafted to meet the standards of Qatar Executive’s most discerning customers. The passenger experience has been augmented to include a revolutionary lighting system, the industry’s lowest cabin pressure altitude and natural lighting through 20 windows.The G700 also prioritises passengers’ comfort with a whisper-quiet cabin, along with 100% fresh air replenished every two to three minutes, and an ionising system for the cabin air, providing the highest air quality possible to date in a business jet. This innovation ensures passengers arrive more refreshed than with any other aircraft type.Asked about potential future orders for business jets, al-Meer noted: “We see a big demand for private business jets from all over the world. Our entire fleet is busy...our aircraft are flying. I am confident within two weeks, our new G700 will start flying. We already have long list of requests from customers to be the first to fly it.”The Qatar Airways Group CEO said: “Among major airlines, we have the highest load factor. It varies between 85 and 88%. Some of our aircraft have a load factor of up to 98%.“To meet additional demand, we need more aircraft – so more deliveries are required. The demand in the industry has picked up. It is very high. Unfortunately, for our passengers...our customers, we are not able to meet their demand because of the shortage of aircraft in the market.”

The world’s first Gulfstream G700, a premium business jet, owned by Qatar Executive (QE), the corporate jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group, was “exclusively revealed” at the Hamad International Airport Wednesday.By welcoming the delivery of two new Gulfstream G700 aircraft to the fleet, Qatar Executive has become the worldwide exclusive commercial operator of the aircraft.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.The new G700 fleet will enter full commercial service in June, and QE is already taking advance expressions of interest from clients to charter the new aircraft.Qatar Executive is the first carrier to offer the Gulfstream G700 to charter customers, continuing to provide an ultra-modern fleet with the ultimate in aircraft capabilities, luxury and performance.At a media event held at the Qatar Executive Hangar as part of the reveal ceremony, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Badr Mohammed al-Meer, said: “Today we welcome the industry’s highest performance ultra-long-range business jet, Gulfstream G700 aircraft to the Qatar Executive fleet.“We are proud to enhance our existing fleet of 15 Gulfstream G650ER aircraft to include the pinnacle of business aviation excellence and look forward to seeing our guests on board soon to experience this technologically advanced aircraft.”Gulfstream President Mark Burns said, “Qatar Executive has been a valued Gulfstream customer for nearly 10 years. We are honoured to have them as our international partner for the launch and first deliveries of the all-new G700. We look forward to growing their fleet in the months ahead.”The G700 represents the future of private air travel, offering a superior flying experience with unrivalled design, technology, comfort and style.The aircraft offers an exceptionally spacious passenger cabin consisting of four individual living areas including a dedicated private rear stateroom with a permanent fixed bed.The bespoke cabins have been designed and meticulously crafted to meet the standards of Qatar Executive’s most discerning customers. The passenger experience has been augmented to include a revolutionary lighting system, the industry’s lowest cabin pressure altitude and natural lighting through 20 windows.The G700 also prioritises passengers’ comfort with a whisper-quiet cabin, along with 100 per cent fresh air replenished every two to three minutes, and an ionising system for the cabin air, providing the highest air quality possible to date in a business jet. This innovation ensures passengers arrive more refreshed than with any other aircraft type.Combining the Qatar Airways Group’s signature personalised service with leading operational safety and management, the G700 is a fitting addition to Qatar Executive’s already ultra-modern-fleet. The new addition is also a testament to QE’s consistent drive to deliver excellence.The Qatar Executive G700 will also be on display at the upcoming 2024 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2024) – Europe’s premier on-demand aviation and advanced air mobility event, taking place in Geneva from May 28 to 30.Ends

Qatar Airways has been experiencing “very high” load factor across its network despite the “unfortunate conflict” in the Middle East, says the airline's Group CEO Badr Mohamed al-Meer.“Our industry has proven to be resilient. Despite the unfortunate conflict in the Middle East – our numbers continue to grow, when it comes to passengers,” al-Meer said at a session at the recently concluded Qatar Economic Forum.He said the surge in passenger numbers has been reflected on traffic through the Hamad International Airport (HIA).“At HIA, we recorded 30% increase in passengers last year. This year, so far, from January 1 to May 14, we have seen a 27% increase in the number of passengers.”Al-Meer said: “Our load factor is the highest among major airlines. For example, we see our flights to the US having a 95-96% load factor, on average. Our flights to Australia, India and basically to our entire network, see load factor averaging between 85% and 88%, which is very high. This proves, people want to travel.”Asked whether the conflict in the Middle East or other geopolitical issues have an impact on the airline business, al-Meer said: “We have not seen any significant impact.”At the same panel session, RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo noted: “Demand has really grown, driven by people’s strong desire to travel. There is no major difference between the peak and slack season now. Demand has really grown, driven by people’s strong desire to travel.“Although my continent (Africa) also faces geopolitical issues, we have not seen any major impact. The demand still remains strong despite geo-politics.”She said airlines around the world have rebounded, post-Covid. Every airline now sees huge demand for seats.“There are lots of opportunities we need to tap into right now, particularly in Africa. Delaying that process is a big challenge,” she noted.Al-Meer also said all airlines are currently facing the “same problem” because of late deliveries of their orders.“We are one of the major airlines, which is trying our best to assess both Boeing and Airbus and trying to find solutions for them to make sure they deliver based on the timelines they have given us.“I know they are under so much pressure when it comes to the supply chain market...with their suppliers. But they need to put more pressure on those suppliers to make sure that airlines stop bleeding.”Al-Meer added: “The demand in the industry has picked up. It is very high. Unfortunately, for our passengers...our customers, we are not able to meet their demand because of the shortage of aircraft in the market.”

Qatar’s growth is expected to spike above trend when the planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity expansion begins to go online in a few years, Standard Chartered said and noted the country’s investment in the recently upsized gas capacity expansion is likely to support private-sector activity.Standard Chartered bank in its ‘Global Focus Economic Outlook Q2-2024’, which covers the outlook for some 58 economies, key geopolitical issues and financial market implications this year and beyond, forecasts a “calm before the upsized gas boom” in Qatar and predicts the post-FIFA slowdown to change pace next year.Qatar now aims to increase output at the North Field by 85% versus 64% previously, which would take natural gas output to 126mn tonnes per year (mtpy) by end-2027 and 142mtpy by end-2030, from 77mtpy currently.Qatar’s investment in the recently upsized gas capacity expansion is likely to support private-sector activity, the bank said.The research notes Qatar’s private-sector credit growth was about 6% year-on-year (y-o-y) in January, exceeding GDP growth, which dipped to 1.0% y-o-y in Q2,2023 from 8.0% in Q4,2022.The planned expansion of LNG output and subsequent boost to GDP is also expected to rein in public debt to around 30% by 2027, Standard Chartered noted.Prior to that, the report estimates that public debt will decline to 37.5% of GDP by end-2024 and 35% by end-2025, from a peak of 73% in 2020 – assuming Qatar continues to use its surpluses to pay down external debt (external debt maturities are $4.8bn in 2024 and $2bn in 2025).Notably, the composition of government debt has shifted with foreign and domestic debt now at almost equal shares, from a 60:40 split in favour of external debt in 2020, it said.Meanwhile, the research shows Qatar’s net external asset position is improving.Qatar’s fiscal breakeven oil price is the lowest among oil-exporting regional peers, standing at just $50/barrel. Comparatively, reserves stood at $67.6bn in January, rising $10bn since early 2022.Moreover, non-resident deposits in the country have declined and now constitute less than 20% of total deposits – helping to address a historically important systemic vulnerability.“We see the end-2024 policy rate (deposit rate) at 5.25%, in line with our latest Fed forecasts,” Standard Chartered said.Overall, the Global Focus Economic Outlook Q2,2024 also indicates Asia is set to remain the primary engine of global growth, with Africa and MENAP expected to grow faster in 2024 than in 2023.It expects global GDP growth of 3.1% this year, unchanged from 2023, and 3.2% in 2025, an improvement from earlier forecasts of 2.9% and 3.1%.Muhannad Mukahall, chief executive officer and head of CCIB at Standard Chartered Bank – Qatar commented, “We expect to see positive growth in Qatar in the coming years as work on the substantial liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity expansion project begins to pick up pace.“The newly-announced expansion at North Field West adds a further 16mn tonnes of LNG per year to existing plans and will no doubt aid Doha on its quest to dominate the top spot for the world’s top LNG producers. Our research shows this will boost the private-sector, increase GDP and therefore massively stunt public debt.”

Qatar moved into the "top spot" of Ookla’s Speedtest Index in February, surpassing the UAE, noted Ookla, which analysed the performance of 5G networks in selected stadiums during the AFC Asian Cup early this year.According to Ookla, Qatari stadiums delivered world-class 5G network performance during the AFC Asian Cup.All six stadiums tracked during the competition had a median download speed of at least 600 Mbps.The Ahmed bin Ali Stadium took a top spot with a speed of 964.33 Mbps, ranking favourably in the leaderboard of global sporting events, second only to the Super Bowl in the U.S.Superior network capabilities significantly enhanced web browsing and real-time online services. The high download speeds combined with ultra-low latency, under 34ms across the stadiums, suggest that fans experienced minimal lag when streaming, video calling, or gaming online.The web browsing experience over 5G was “excellent”, evidenced by the low webpage load times ranging from 1.0 to 1.4 seconds.Ookla said it used Speedtest Intelligence data to observe performance in the lead-up to and during the AFC Asian Cup. From September 2023 to February this year, Qatar witnessed significant advancements in 5G network speed.The median 5G download speed rose from 441.46 Mbps to 607.0 Mbps, and the upload speed increased from 24.79 Mbps to 36.66 Mbps.Speedtest Intelligence data show that all six surveyed stadiums recorded a median 5G download speed of over 600 Mbps and a median upload speed of over 90 Mbps.Ookla identified two distinct groups based on their 5G performance:The first group is where fans experienced the fastest speeds. It is led by Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, with a median download speed on 5G of 964.33 Mbps, followed by Al-Janoub Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium, with median download speeds of 899.27 Mbps and 888.36 Mbps, respectively.The second group of stadiums had weaker performance overall but still commanded very high speeds, ranging from 602.20 Mbps for Education City Stadium to 730.73 Mbps for Al Bayt Stadium.The leading stadiums in terms of median download speed also excelled in upload, with speeds exceeding 108 Mbps.Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and Al-Janoub Stadium had upload speeds of 110.46 Mbps and 110.87 Mbps, respectively.Education City Stadium was at the bottom of the list but still offered excellent download and upload speeds.Qatar welcomed over 1mn visitors during the group stage, beating the previous AFC record achieved 20 years ago during the 2004 tournament in China. During that period, Ooredoo reported 190 TB of data volume while 5G usage share reached 50.1%.The tournament concluded with an estimated 1.5 million fans attending 51 games. The final match attracted over 86,000 fans at Lusail Stadium, where Ooredoo reported total data traffic of 35TB and delivered an average download speed of 244 Mbps and an upload speed of 50 Mbps.These improvements contributed to elevating Qatar’s ranking to the number one position on the Speedtest Global Index in February this year, surpassing the United Arab Emirates, with a median download speed of 286.42 Mbps across all technologies.Qatar maintained its top spot in March, following the Asian Cup, with a median download speed of 313.3Mbps.To increase capacity and improve speed, operators have been deploying additional 5G sites and activating new 5G carriers, delivering exceptional network performance for their customers.

Qatar Airways will soon announce investment in an airline in southern Africa, Group CEO Badr Mohamed al-Meer said yesterday."We are at the final stage of an equity investment in an airline in the southern part of Africa," al-Meer said at a panel session at the Qatar Economic Forum, saying the deal could be announced in two to three weeks. “This airline will complement the operations of Kigali and the operations of RwandAir as the airline that connects the West, East, and North of Africa. With that airline we are finalising the investment in the southern part of Africa.”Asked which airline Qatar Airways plans to partner with, al-Meer said, “It could be one of two or three carriers in the Southern part of Africa.”The southern part of Africa is a gap in Qatar Airways’ network coverage on the continent, he said and noted the national airline wants to expand the fleets of its partner airlines in Africa to improve connectivity.As a major international airline with a huge global network, Qatar Airways aims to bridge the gap in connectivity between the Middle East and Southern Africa.In 2019, Qatar Airways picked up a 60% stake in a new multi-billion dollar international airport being built in Rwanda (near Kigali) and has code share agreements with several airlines in Africa including Rwandair.The national carrier has an extensive African network, serving over 30 destinations, including South Africa's three major gateways.According to al-Meer, the airline's model involves covering all major parts of the continent. However, it needs to look at specific areas within Africa.The airline’s network in the Northern, Eastern, and Western regions is growing "organically," with a strong presence in Nigeria and a long-standing partnership with North Africa's Royal Air Maroc.The missing element to support its network is connectivity in Central and Southern Africa, al-Meer pointed out.Regarding Central Africa, al-Meer said Kigali was the best location for the airline and its partners to develop a hub.Last year, Qatar Airways Cargo launched a cargo hub at Kigali International Airport in partnership with RwandAir. This was the airline's first cargo hub outside Qatar.Al-Meer praised Rwanda for its investor-friendly approach and said, "they opened the doors...they welcomed us wholeheartedly.”Also speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, RwandAir CEO Yvonne Makolo said that the airport will be a key regional hub, given Rwanda's geographical location at the centre of Africa.She expects the airport to become operational by 2027 or 2028.

HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi said Qatar is very bullish about global LNG demand in view of the rising population and expected growth in economies around the world.Al-Kaabi said Qatar’s LNG expansion projects are designed to help meet growing demand for cleaner energy driven by economic growth and rising populations and living standards.The minister was participating in a panel discussion on ‘The next stage of the global energy transition” at Qatar Economic Forum with the participation of Patrick Pouyanne, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, and Darren Woods, executive chair and CEO of ExxonMobil.Al-Kaabi noted, “If you look at the expectation of having 1.5 to 2bn more people in the next 30 years or so, that means we will need more energy, more power, and even more petrochemicals for materials we use every day. We also need to be fair to that population and make sure they have access to reasonably priced power.”Al-Kaabi, who is also the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, stressed that LNG will remain in demand for a very long time, adding “LNG is not going away any anytime soon, as was recently made clear by the G7 as well as by many countries around the world, who have changed their position of moving away from fossil fuels.”Discussing the energy transition, al-Kaabi said: “Many promises were made by politicians, who do not really understand the details of how to achieve this transition. And it was driven to a point where it became in vogue, if you will, for everybody to say ‘net zero, environmental, and green’, which got them elected. But now, as reality sets in five or six years later, they say we cannot achieve what we have promised. The problem is that targets were overstretched and could not have been reached anyway.”According to Bloomberg, Asian countries led by China, Japan and South Korea have been the main market for Qatari gas, but demand from European countries has grown since Russia's war on Ukraine threw supplies into doubt.In February, Qatar announced plans to expand output from its North Field, saying they would boost capacity to 142mn tonnes per year before 2030.Al-Kaabi said there could be further expansions to Qatar’s LNG production capacity."The technical capability of doing more in Qatar is going to be assessed in the future and, if there is more, we probably will do more," he said.In recent months, Qatar has inked LNG deals with France's Total, Britain's Shell, India's Petronet, China's Sinopec and Italy's Eni among others.Pouyanne and Woods both rejected concerns about overcapacity in the market as consumer countries move away from fossil fuels in a bid to limit global warming."I am not afraid. I think there is a place, a clear place for the gas in the transition," Pouyanne said."Things will not happen in a night like some people are dreaming," he said, adding: "Population is growing, energy demand is growing."Woods echoed the comments of the TotalEnergies’ Pouyanne."The demand for energy is being driven by economic growth and people's living standards rising," he said."There are billions of people around the planet who deserve better lives and are going to require affordable, available and reliable energy sources. And I think that's the challenge going forward,” Woods added.

Qatar’s LNG expansion projects are moving ahead on track and the country expects to sign more long-term natural gas supply deals this year to meet growing international demand, HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said yesterday.His remarks came during a panel discussion on ‘The next stage of the global energy transition” at Qatar Economic Forum with the participation of Patrick Pouyanné, chairman & CEO of TotalEnergies, and Darren Woods, executive chair & CEO of ExxonMobil.Al-Kaabi noted that Qatar’s LNG expansion projects are moving ahead on track towards an increased production capacity of 142mn tons per year.The country’s LNG expansion projects are designed to help meet growing demand for cleaner energy driven by economic growth and rising populations and living standards.“There will be further expansions to Qatar’s LNG production capacity. The technical capability of doing more in Qatar is going to be assessed in the future and, if there is more, we probably will do more," he said.The Minister noted, “With 18mn tons per year coming from our LNG project in Texas, Qatar will be doubling its LNG production capacity in the next few years.”He said, “North Field East and South are on track...we are in the construction phase as we speak. All the construction (activities) are going very well.”The minister said, “When Qatar announced that we are going to expand further (from 77mn tonnes per year to 126mn tpy), we said that we are appraising the fields further. And based on the technical results and capability of the field (long-term to sustain production for other projects that we have) we said we will assess the fields to see whether we can do more. After further appraisal, we found that we can do an additional 16mn tons per year, and by that going to 142mn tpy.”Al-Kaabi criticised last year’s media skepticism of Qatar’s ambitious expansion projects and reports saying it will have difficulty selling its LNG.“Today, I can report that since then, we have secured 25mn tons of long-term LNG sales; and I can tell you also on this podium that we are signing more this year. Our marketing team is doing a great job.“I don’t think there is a problem of selling LNG. Everybody is buying LNG, it is just agreeing on terms and conditions and pricing... but I think there's a huge demand out there, whether it's from Asia or Europe," al-Kaabi told the Qatar Economic Forum."I think even Europe is realising now they have to do something different to secure long term. They have been lucky with two warm winters,” he said.Al-Kaabi said, “We think there is a big demand in future, and we are going to expand to meet that demand. Technical capability of doing more in Qatar is going to be assessed in future. And if more needs to be done, probably we will do more.“But also, we are also big explorers around the world, one of the largest holders of exploration blocks in the world, some with my colleagues here. We are very bullish about demand going forward. If we have a reasonable economic growth going forward, I think the demand and supply will catch up and you need another phase of development of gas in the 2030s.”Ends

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) plans to issue its first guidelines on how to adapt artificial intelligence (AI) in financial institutions in the country in a few weeks, said HE the QCB Governor, Sheikh Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saoud al-Thani.“Regulations are very important. That’s going to help financial institutions better adapt AI and mitigate the risks. At this stage, we are working on guidelines, which we have sent to financial institutions as a consultation paper. We are going to see their feedback. In future, there may be a framework that governs data, AI, risk modelling etc.Participating in a panel session entitled ‘Artificial intelligence and reinventing banking’ at the Qatar Economic Forum yesterday Sheikh Bandar said: “Any new technology is fraught with risks...but the question is what type of risks. My main concern is about cyber-attacks and abusing technology to attack financial institutions.“I am equally concerned about data privacy, biased data and market manipulation. As a regulator, first of all, we have to improve our institutional capacity. And we have to hire skilled people to closely monitor the new technology that has been adopted in financial institutions.”The QCB governor noted that AI is not a new topic for the financial industry.“Financial industry is data driven. Financial institutions use to have predicted models, algorithms and technology, for example trading. However, by adopting the new AI technology, we assume that it is going to enhance efficiency, customer experience, help manage risks better and compliance.”On AI and inflation, Sheikh Bandar noted: “In the mid to long-term, my own belief is that AI will contribute to bring down inflation. This is because AI is assumed to enhance efficiency, productivity and also improve profitability.“But in the short term, I believe AI could contribute to an increase in inflation a little bit. This is because lots of institutions will need to invest in hardware, software, new technology and training. And that might cause prices to increase a little bit.”Sheikh Bandar reiterated that Qatar will keep its currency (riyal) pegged to the US dollar.“We are pegged to the dollar. As a central bank, our main duty is to maintain the pegged rate. That’s why we are keeping the interest rate high in Qatar, despite inflation declining to a reasonable level.“Our job is to maintain the pegged rate...our job is to make sure there is no capital outflow from our market. So, we have to manage the balance between monetary policy and growth as well as protecting the economy from capital outflows.“Historically, this regime worked very well for the State of Qatar. We are going to keep our currency pegged to the US dollar.”On global inflationary outlook, Sheikh Bandar said: “In 2023, inflation improved significantly due to the improvement in supply chain and decline in the prices of food and energy. From the beginning of 2024, until now, inflation varied from country to country...one geography to another.“For example, in the US, inflation is still high. In the beginning of this year, there were expectations of three cuts for 2024. But now things have changed...because data coming from the economy has changed. In the US, inflation is still high. The interest rates might stay higher for longer.“While in Europe, we can see inflation declining to nearly 2%. A better situation than in the US.”He said no central bank will move to cut interest rate, unless they are confident enough that inflation is at its targeted level. They need more confident data to move and cut interest rates.Sheikh Bandar also said that political stability is essential to see growth in economies around the world.

As the region’s leading transaction bank, HSBC “continues to grow its digital footprint and capabilities” across the country in support of the Qatar Central Bank’s digital strategy, noted Stephen Moss, Regional CEO, Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye, HSBC.“Financing of the region’s new economic models and energy transition is at the heart of the opportunities we see ahead,” Moss told Gulf Times in an interview.“As the world’s largest trade bank with a network covering 90% of the world’s trade and capital flows, combined with our long-standing presence in the region, we are uniquely placed to help our clients navigate the inbound and outbound opportunities in the Middle East.“The Qatar Free Zone Authority (QFZA) is one such example. As one of the most significant developments to support economic transformation, the QFZA is opening up great opportunities for new companies to establish a presence in Qatar. HSBC became the first bank to establish a presence in the QFZA in 2020, offering advanced digital services to the free zone’s more than 200 investors.”Another fast-growing area attracting international investment is infrastructure, which has received a boost from the emergence of public-private partnerships (PPPs).The size of the Gulf’s giga project pipelines, estimated to be worth approximately $3tn, reflects the extent of the opportunity.“The PPP model has been mainly focused on power and utilities sectors in the Middle East but we are now seeing it expand to fulfil much broader infrastructure requirements, with social infrastructure a major recipient. That is good news for international investors,” Moss said.Asked how important the Middle East to HSBC’s strategic growth ambitions is, Moss said: “The Middle East’s investment-led significant economic transformation drive, Asia’s economic dynamism, and the necessity of creating sustainable economies are coming together to create very substantial business opportunities. HSBC, positioned at both ends of the Middle East-Asia corridor and with more than a century of history in each, is directly supporting clients to capitalise on this megatrend.“The bright spots are plenty and according to HSBC research, annual two-way goods trade between the two regions is projected to more than double from around $950bn in 2022 to over $1.9tn by 2035.“Take here in Qatar, for example, which has witnessed accelerated trade and investment with Asia, with China becoming Qatar’s largest import and export partner. The country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority, has invested $1bn in India’s Reliance Retail Ventures and has stated its intention for further public and private investments in China’s retail, healthcare, tech and logistics sectors.“There is clearly more to come; last week Hong Kong and Qatar signed an agreement to increase connectivity between the financial hubs, a move which will include sharing best practices and facilitating training to promote business.“In short, billions of dollars of trade and investment are flowing between Asia and the Middle East. HSBC is uniquely positioned to connect clients in the two regions, and to use our long established on the ground presence, track record, and heritage at either end of the corridor to support new business and investment.”He said the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 - economic, human, environmental and social development- provide clear opportunities for HSBC to contribute.HSBC Qatar actively invests in recruiting, developing, and retaining local Qatari talent. Qatari nationals currently make up 37% of HSBC’s total workforce in Qatar and the bank has a strong pipeline of Qatari talent, which it continually invest in.About future outlook for HSBC in Qatar, Moss stated: “As one of the first banks in Qatar, HSBC has helped lay the foundations of the banking and finance industry and played a part in several milestone developments.“Our growth story in Qatar is aligned directly to the country’s economic transformation, which has been shaped by visionary leadership – both in government and in institutions such as the Qatar Central Bank.”Across the Middle East, he noted HSBC covers $3.5tn of GDP, $2.6tn of trade, and processes $1.1tn of customer payments every year.“We support the region’s largest transactions and connect global investors to the Gulf’s fast-growing capital markets.“It is this perspective, which continues to give us great optimism about the outlook for the country, and the wider region and which makes HSBC truly proud to be celebrating our 70th anniversary in Qatar this year.”

With global cross-border trade and industrial production continuing to exhibit a steady upward trajectory, 2024 is poised to emerge as a robust year for the air cargo industry. .text-box { float:left; width:250px; padding:1px; border:1pt white; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 20px; }@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.text-box {width: 30%;} } **media[170938]** The air cargo sector stands as an indispensable linchpin in the realm of global trade, boasting unparalleled attributes of speed, global connectivity, reliability, and efficiency. In the fast-paced world of commerce, where time is of the essence, air cargo transportation reigns supreme as the swiftest mode for shipping goods across vast distances. This rapid transit capability proves especially invaluable for the transport of perishable goods, high-value commodities, and time-sensitive deliveries, empowering businesses to meet stringent deadlines and swiftly adapt to dynamic market demands. Spanning the globe with its extensive networks, air cargo services form the vital arteries that interconnect distant markets, fostering seamless international trade. This expansive reach not only facilitates access to diverse suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers worldwide but also empowers businesses to actively engage and thrive within the global economic landscape. Underpinning the seamless operation of air cargo services are substantial investments by airlines in cutting-edge infrastructure, advanced technology, and stringent safety measures. This unwavering commitment to excellence ensures the dependable and secure transportation of goods, thereby enabling businesses to mitigate supply chain disruptions and uphold consistent product availability in the marketplace. While it is a fact that air cargo transportation entails higher costs compared to alternative modes such as sea or land freight, its efficiency for specific types of goods and shipments cannot be overstated. By circumventing congested ports, customs delays, and curbing inventory carrying costs, air cargo emerges as a compelling and cost-effective choice for countless businesses seeking optimal logistics solutions. In essence, the air cargo sector stands as a cornerstone of global commerce, embodying the epitome of speed, reliability, and efficiency, and continues to serve as a driving force behind the interconnectedness and prosperity of the global economy. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air cargo markets continued to show strong annual growth in demand based on its data in March. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), rose by 10.3% to 23.1bn CTKs in March compared to March 2023 levels (11.4% for international operations). This is the fourth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs), increased by 7.3% compared to March 2023 (10.5% for international operations). Middle Eastern carriers, including airlines based in the GCC, saw a 19.9% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March – the strongest of all regions. The Middle East–Europe market was the strongest performing with 38.3% growth, ahead of Middle East-Asia which grew by 19.6% year-on-year, IATA said and noted March capacity increased 10.6% year-on-year. Several factors in the operating environment should be noted, IATA noted. Global cross-border trade and industrial production increased by 1.2% and 1.6% respectively in February. In March, the manufacturing output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 51.9, indicating expansion. The new export orders PMI also rose to 49.5, remaining slightly below the 50 threshold that would indicate growth expectations. Inflation saw a mixed picture in March. In the European Union and Japan, inflation rates fell to 2.6% and 2.7% respectively, while rising in the US to 3.5%. In contrast, China experienced a slight deflation of -0.01%. This latest figure marks a return to deflation after February's brief period of inflation. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said, "Air cargo demand grew by 10.3% over the previous March. This contributed to a strong first quarter performance which slightly exceeded even the exceptionally strong 2021 first quarter performance during the Covid-19 crisis. With global cross-border trade and industrial production continuing to show a moderate upward trend, 2024 is shaping up to be a solid year for air cargo." Undoubtedly, air cargo sector serves as a vital artery of global trade, facilitating the movement of goods across borders with speed, reliability, and efficiency, thereby contributing significantly to economic growth and development on a global scale. Pratap John is Business Editor at Gulf Times. Twitter handle: @PratapJohn