QR Capacity Reduction
Seems that the rapid expansion of EK, EY and QR is starting to have an impact as per below on QR;
QATAR Airways, one of three Middle East carriers operating out of Manchester, is to reduce the number of flights from late March, as it beefs up its Heathrow service.
The Doha-based airline, which currently offers a double daily service from Manchester, is axing four flights a week, amid strong competition from Abu Dhabi's Etihad, which flies double daily too and Dubia carrier Emirates, the most established of the trio at Manchester, which operates three flights a day.
While load factors are understood to be satisfactory, competitive prices on the routes among the three rivals is the key according to sources.
One insider told TheBusinessDesk.com: "There are seven flights a day out of Manchester to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, one of which is the A380, and pricing has become very competitive.
"There's a feeling at Qatar can make better yields on other routes in its network."
In a statement, Qatar said it was adding a a fifth daily flight from Heathrow to Doha from March 25.
It added: "Due to operational requirements elsewhere in the airline’s global network, the Manchester to Doha route will be served by 10 flights each week instead of the current 14.
"The rapid global expansion of the airline has made it necessary to reallocate a small proportion of Manchester’s capacity to other points on the network, resulting in a schedule change.
"Passengers booked to fly to and from Manchester after 25 March should expect only minimal disruption and, if affected, will be provided with alternative travel options on other Manchester or London Heathrow services operated by Qatar Airways