New luxury business flights at Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has set up a new corporate jet subsidiary, Qatar Executive, which will involve two new Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft.
Qatar Airways chief executive officer, Akbar Al Baker, said the creation of Qatar Executive demonstrated the airline’s commitment to meeting the needs of a premium market segment. “Despite the current global economic climate, there remains a strong need for the corporate to conduct face-to-face business meetings in the shortest possible time so travel is still important as is time management,” he said. “The personal onboard attention, comfort, fine dining and speed at which the aircraft flies ensure the experience is both rewarding and memorable.”
The Bombardier Challenger 300 and 605 aircraft feature leather seats which recline into fully berthable sleeping compartments. The interiors have premium fittings with plenty of space for meetings.
Statistics from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) show that the corporate market in the Middle East has grown at an average of 13% per year since 2000. According to CAPA, the corporate jet market in the Middle East is estimated to be worth between US$500 million and US$700 million a year.
The planes, due to be delivered later this month, will be able to fly up to 4,000 nautical miles non-stop reaching destinations throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. Based at Qatar Airways’ hub at Doha International Airport, the new aeroplanes will join a recently delivered Bombardier Challenger 300 aircraft.
Ted Button, a veteran of the aviation industry with more than 25 years experience will be senior vice-president of the new corporate jet subsidiary.
