- The agreement will open more destinations on the Qatar Airways network to SriLankan Airlines’ passengers
- Flights to the island of Gan in the Maldives will be available to Qatar Airways’ passengers for the first time
DOHA, Qatar, 2019-Dec-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways is pleased to announce expanded codeshare cooperation with SriLankan Airlines, starting from 23 December. This new codeshare agreement will strengthen the two airlines’ strategic partnership, first initiated in 2016.
The expanded codeshare agreement will be rolled out in phases and once fully implemented will allow SriLankan Airlines’ passengers to book travel to 33 additional Qatar Airways destinations* in Europe, America, and Africa. Combined with the two airlines’ existing codeshare agreement, this brings the total Qatar Airways destinations offered under SriLankan Airlines’ flight numbers to 53.
Phase one has opened for sale today for travel starting on 23 December with SriLankan Airline passengers able to book travel to eight additional Qatar Airways’ destinations – Athens, Greece; Belgrade, Serbia; Brussels, Belgium; Dublin, Ireland; Helsinki, Finland; Munich, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic and Thessaloniki, Greece.
Qatar Airways’ passengers will benefit from access to exciting new destinations in the Maldives thanks to the expanded codeshare agreement. They will now be able to book travel on SriLankan Airlines’ flights to the island of Gan in Addu Atoll, the southernmost point of the Maldives. The new destination complements the existing SriLankan Airlines’ routes available to Qatar Airways passengers – Colombo in Sri Lanka and Malé in the Maldives.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Since 2016 both airlines have witnessed the significant benefits codeshare cooperation has brought, providing passengers with unrivalled service and seamless connections. The expansion of codeshare cooperation between Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines is a natural next step in the strengthening of our close partnership.”
SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Vipula Gunatilleka, said: “We are delighted to further strengthen the bonds of our long-time partnership with our fellow oneworld member Qatar Airways, and feel certain that the valued passengers of both our airlines will reap the benefits of this close co-operation.”
Qatar Airways began flying to Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1994. Today, it is one of the airline’s most popular routes, served by a four-times daily service. In 2016, Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines announced a codeshare agreement to provide greater connectivity and new destinations to their passengers.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. It is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The world’s fastest-growing airline has added a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network this year, including Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Langkawi, Malaysia. The airline will add Gaborone, Botswana, in 2019 to its extensive route network along with Luanda, Angola; and Osaka, Japan, in 2020.
SriLankan Airlines serves 109 destinations in 48 countries from its hub, Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (CMB). As oneworld alliance partners, customers of both airlines are ensured recognition of their frequent-flyer status and benefits including access to lounges worldwide, through check-in, extra baggage allowance, plus accrual and redemption of miles, priority check-in and boarding across the carriers’ networks.
*Subject to regulatory approval.
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways:
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 160 business and leisure destinations on board a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft. The world’s fastest-growing airline has added a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network this year, including Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; and Mogadishu, Somalia. The airline will add Langkawi, Malaysia and Gaborone, Botswana, in 2019 to its extensive route network along with Luanda, Angola; and Osaka, Japan, following in 2020.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.
Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, B777, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2022 World Cup, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 160 key business and leisure destinations globally on more than 250 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 21 Boeing 777 freighters and five Airbus A330 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200
Email: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Source: Qatar Airways