Qatar Airways And China Southern Look To Expand Partnership

Doha-based Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines are looking to build upon their existing codeshare agreement by signing a new memorandum of understanding (MOU). In a statement issued on November 9, 2021, the Gulf carrier said that this latest memorandum of understanding would significantly increase how the two airlines cooperated and would add more significant benefits for Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines passengers.

Qatar A350
The latest MOU builds upon a previous one signed in 2019. Photo: Getty Images

The Qatar Airways statement says that the new memorandum of understanding builds upon the existing codeshare agreement that Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, and China Southern Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Han Wensheng, first signed in 2019.

A new frequent flyer agreement will be announced soon

As a part of the new agreement between the two airlines, all future flights between China and Qatar would be codeshare flights allowing passengers to benefit from seamless connections. The closer cooperation between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines will help both airlines passengers in the following ways:

  • Seamless travel on one ticket
  • Increased joint lounge access
  • A soon-to-be confirmed enhanced frequent flyer agreement

In addition to the above, the two airlines have agreed to support the expansion of Beijing’s Daxing International Airport (PKX). The plan is to grow PKX to become a leading international hub for both passengers and cargo services.

China-Southern-strong-domestic-getty
China Southern Airlines is the largest Chinese airline.. Photo: Getty Images

When speaking in the Qatar Airways statement about the new memorandum of understanding, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr Akbar Al Baker, said:

“This is the latest chapter in the story of our airline’s continued journey to provide an enhanced and seamless customer experience for passengers traveling via our two hubs of Hamad International Airport (DOH), the new Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN).

“We look forward to further deepening our close relationship with China Southern Airlines and exploring even greater opportunities for collaboration in the years to come. Passengers can travel with confidence knowing that Qatar Airways is committed to safety, and our 5-stars COVID-19 safety rating is a testament to our efforts to remain the leading global airline for biosafety.”

China Southern Airlines is the largest Chinese airline

In reply to Mr. Akbar Al Baker, China Southern Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Han Wensheng, said:

“As the largest airline in China, the strategic cooperation between China Southern Airlines and Qatar Airways will provide global passengers with expanded travel options and an exceptional travel experience. Our collaboration will also lay a solid foundation for the development of Beijing Daxing International Airport into a global aviation hub.”

The new MOU helps enhance Qatar Airways existing agreements

The new enhanced codeshare agreement between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines is the latest move by Qatar Airways to develop vital strategic operations between global airlines. The new MOU will help enhance Qatar Airways existing partnerships with
American Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Oman Air, and RwandAir.

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Both airlines want to develop Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Photo: PXK

In the Qatar Airways statement, it said that the enhanced cooperation between it and China Southern Airlines was dependent on the lifting of current COVID-19 restrictions and regulatory approvals.

What do you think of the new memorandum of understanding between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines? Please tell us what you think in the comments.



from Simple Flying https://ift.tt/322F2KN
via IFTTT

Comments