QR to code-share with Saudi
 

Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines have signed a strategic codeshare agreement that will link two of the region's largest airline networks.

The codeshare agreement was signed between Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker and Dr. Ayed Al-Amri, General Manager Commercial Agreements and Haj Affairs of Saudi Arabian Airlines. The agreement will allow Qatar Airways to carry Saudia passengers on the Dammam - Doha - Dammam sectors.

The Saudi delegation to Doha also comprised of Mohammad Rushdi Fairak, Senior Manager Bilateral Commercial Agreements, and Mr. Nowaf Alharbi, Saudi Arabian Airlines Manager Qatar and Bahrain.

"This new codeshare marks a historic milestone for Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines and is the start of a long term relationship that will help strengthen ties between our two countries," said Al Baker, speaking at a press conference in Doha.

"We look forward to a prosperous relationship with Saudi Arabian Airlines and a long-term partnership that is going to deliver additional value to passengers flying on the Doha - Dammam route."

The bilateral codeshare agreement will be effective from February 1, 2006.

Saudi Arabian Airlines is Qatar Airways' latest codeshare partner. Qatar Airways has a network of strategic alliances with a number of airlines, including codeshare agreements with Lufthansa, Malaysian, Alitalia, Garuda Indonesia, Thai Airways, All Nippon Airways, Philippine Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Yemenia, bmi (British Midland) and Air China.

My question is why arent any of these airliens interested in flying to Doha themselves.

Simple answer newscaster...There are still only something like 19 stands available at the airport...no room for Qatar Airways to park half its fleet let alone any other airline to squeeze in, Qatar Airways head office is bigger than the terminal building and thats saying something and to be honest...no one really wants to go to Doha...fine for Qatar Airways to use as a transit hub but dont believe the holiday shows that make out Qatar to be an undescovered holiday haven!!!!

The load factors would barely keep 1/2 flights per week full to the locations listed as code shares.

Qatar and Doha are relatively small population wise to support much traffic other to the subcontinent and London.

Quote:

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Dammam-Doha-Dammam

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Pity Doha-Riyadh isn't included - Qatar's daily flights into Gatwick would be great for Brit expats and businessmen on the South Coast and SE of England, but the Riyadh connections aren't daily:(

Re: QR to code-share with Saudi
 

Whats wrong with the BMI RUH-LHR service???

Mutt

Re: QR to code-share with Saudi
 

mutt if only bmi could tell me more about their flight - they are useless, can't even tell me service commencement date or when it will go on sale. Have tried several times on their site & by phone - one even thought DOH was a bmibaby destination :eek:

cheers ;)
FF

Re: QR to code-share with Saudi
 

Eh???? BMI started LHR-RUH-LHR last Autumn.

A quick look at www.flybmi.com shows...

Please note our direct service from Heathrow to Riyadh operates on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, returning Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Book online now.

Its also states that LHR-JED-LHR will commence on the 23rd April.

Mutt

Re: QR to code-share with Saudi
 

Not flown BMI for years - last time was Belfast-Bournemouth looking something like this
http://airlines.afriqonline.com/images/2pln1850.jpg :eek:

My point was that BMI is (or will be) to LHR. Would be nice for pax South or South-East of London if someone flew to LGW from this region (apart from once-weekly EK)

Re: QR to code-share with Saudi
 

Qatar airways fine for transit Hub....?!!
I´m wondering about the percentage of passenger missing their connection during the last months simply because some flight after landing have to wait 45 minutes with both engines running on the east apron for a parking stand being available.(But we got very smart aircrew notice telling that due to the high price of fuel we have to reduce the reserve to 3% and not take extra unless necessary and bla bla bla....,how many tons of fuels are lost by Qatar airways simply because of the shortage of parking stand.......!!!).:hmm:

And if the passengers are lucky to catch they connections, they will have to stay in and overcrowded terminal,sitting on the ground waiting to board....

Re: QR to code-share with Saudi
 

What a great image fo a company pretending to be 5 stars!:rolleyes:

Qatar Airport
 

To be fair, I've been through Qatar a number of times over the last 12 months, and I've found the airport modern and comfortable (okay, jet-ways would be good in the Summer ;)) and I've never found it over-crowded (apart from the gates, which applies to just about any airport I've been to)

Of course, there's going to be a problem if the Asian Games draws a lot of traffic!!

Biggest problem I found was the hotels - "budget" ones seem to be permanently full, and the "4-stars" are able to charge vastly inflated prices :mad:

Re: QR to code-share with Saudi
 

Sorry Mutt I was thinking but forgetting to type what was in my head - I was on about bmi going to DOH. :hmm:

cheers ;)
FF