Qatar Airways is to join oneworld and will become the first of the three major airlines based in the Gulf to sign for any of the global airline alliances
The Doha-based airline’s implementation into oneworld is expected to take between 12 and 18 months.
The carrier is set to move into a new home in 2013 with the opening of the New Doha International Airport. British Airways will serve as its sponsor in joining oneworld.
Qatar Airways will be oneworld’s second member airline based in the Middle East, alongside Royal Jordanian, which joined oneworld in 2007.
Qatar Airways’ network serves 120 destinations in 70 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australasia.
Passengers flying between Asia and Southern Europe or between Asia and Africa will now have convenient one-stop connections not previously available within the oneworld network.
Qatar Airways operates one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleets, currently standing at 111 Boeing and Airbus aircraft with an average age of just four years old.
Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al Baker said, "Qatar Airways has carefully reviewed its strategic options and it is very clear that joining oneworld is by far the best way forward for us as we look to strengthen our competitive offering and give passengers what they fully deserve – more choice."
