Qatar Airways committing to sponsor the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards for 10 years

  • Awards established in 2019, with Qatar Airways committing to sponsor for 10 years
  • Winner in each category will receive $25,000 in prize money

Doha, Qatar, 2020-Mar-05 — /Travel PR News/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced today (03 March 2020) that nominations have opened for the second edition of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards which recognise and encourage industry excellence.

Nominations are now open in the three following categories:

  • Inspirational Role Model: Will be presented to a woman who holds a senior position within the industry who has had a significant impact on the aviation agenda through her strong contribution to business delivery, as well as her ongoing support of the diversity & inclusion agenda. Open to all female participants in the aviation industry (IATA members and non-members alike).
  • High Flyer: Designed to recognise one of aviation’s professionals who has developed thought leadership through concrete action in favor of diversity & inclusion, making a positive impact on the industry. Open to all professionals in the aviation industry (IATA members and non-members alike).
  • Diversity & Inclusion Team Award: Designed to recognize an airline that has seen a tangible change in diversity and inclusion as a result of the work it has been doing in diversity and inclusion. Open to all IATA member airlines.

Nominations are open from 3 March until 30 April 2020.  They will be judged by an independent panel consisting of the 2019 winners of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards. The 2020 Awards will be presented at IATA’s 76th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (21-23 June 2020).

The IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards were established in 2019, with Qatar Airways committing to sponsor the awards for 10 years. The winner in each category will receive $25,000 in prize money payable to the awardee or their nominated charity.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Strong diverse leadership is key for the success of any organisation. In sponsoring these awards, we are committing to improve gender balance at Qatar Airways and to build an industry that recognises and supports the ambitions of many people who contribute to improving diversity in aviation.”

IATA Director General and CEO Mr. Alexandre de Juniac, said: “Aviation needs to embrace the diversity and inclusion of the society we live in. Today more than ever, we need role models in the industry who inspire future generations of aviation leaders. Last year’s Awards enabled us to highlight some strong female leaders who are driving the industry forward.”

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), to more than 170 destinations worldwide. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add Osaka, Japan; Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Almaty and Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan; Accra, Ghana; Cebu, Philippines; Lyon, France; Trabzon, Turkey; Siem Reap, Cambodia and Luanda, Angola to its extensive network in 2020.

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.

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 will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2020, including Osaka, Japan; Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Almaty and Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan; Accra, Ghana; Cebu, Philippines; Lyon, France; Trabzon, Turkey; Siem Reap, Cambodia and Luanda, Angola.

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.

Qatar Executive is the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group. Luxury jet services are available for worldwide charter on board the operator’s wholly-owned business jet fleet. Qatar Executive is the launch customer for Gulfstream’s G700, the world’s first commercial service operator of the Gulfstream G500 and largest commercial operator of the G650ER worldwide. Qatar Executive’s service portfolio also includes aircraft management, maintenance and Fixed Based Operator services.

For further information, please contact:

Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200
Email:  qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa

Source: Qatar Airways