British Airways is aiming to extend its joint business arrangement with IAG shareholder and Oneworld alliance partner Qatar Airways, to provide greater access to one another’s networks.
BA has newly re-opened its Doha connection, with a Boeing 777-200ER service from London Gatwick, and the two carriers will jointly operate up to six daily flights between the cities over the winter – including a connection to Gatwick.
The expanded co-operation will provide “enhanced access” from Europe to such destinations as Singapore, Sydney, Colombo and Nairobi as well as European cities including Amsterdam, Madrid and Dublin.
BA says the carriers expect to receive regulatory approval notifications in the first half of next year.
“Proposed expansion of the joint business will be great news for customers, offering them access to more destinations across the world with seamless connections,” says chief executive Sean Doyle.
He says the co-operation will provide “more options” to passengers to fly to leisure destinations, the Maldives and Seychelles among them.
Qatar Airways group chief Akbar Al Baker says the development is an “important milestone” towards providing customers with access to “the most extensive route network and unrivalled product”.
