Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming a significant expansion of the existing codeshare agreement, and outlining greater benefits and more seamless connections between the two partners.
The comprehensive MoU signed by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, and China Southern Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Han Wensheng, builds upon the existing codeshare agreement signed by the airlines in December 2019.
As part of the collaboration, all future flights between China and Qatar will be codeshared, allowing passengers to benefit from seamless connecting flights. The closer cooperation will also provide greater customer benefits, including increased joint lounge access and a soon-to-be confirmed enhanced frequent flyer agreement. In addition, the two airlines agreed to support the growth of Beijing’s Daxing International Airport, into a leading international aviation hub for both passenger and cargo services.
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 travelling via our two hubs of Hamad International Airport, the new Beijing Daxing International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
“We look forward to further deepening our close relationship with China Southern Airlines and explore 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 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 expanded codeshare agreement is the latest development in Qatar Airways programme of strengthening strategic cooperation between key global airlines, which has already seen partnerships with American Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Oman Air and RwandaAir in recent months.
The enhanced cooperation between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines is subject to the lifting of current travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and regulatory approvals.
The national carrier of the State of Qatar continues to rebuild its network, which currently stands at over 140 destinations. With more frequencies being added to key hubs, Qatar Airways offers unrivalled connectivity to passengers, making it easy for them to change their travel dates or destination as required.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ in the latest World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. The airline’s hub, HIA, was recently recognised as the ‘Best Airport in the World 2021’, ranking at number one in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2021.
In addition to this, Qatar Airways has become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax.
This follows the success of Hamad International Airport (HIA) as the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. These awards provide assurance to passengers across the world that the airline’s health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment.
