Qatar Airways expands Technical Maintenance facilities with the opening of new state-of-the-art Engine Facility
- New 9,000 square foot Technical Engine Facility building will enable the award-winning airline to boost cost efficiencies by more than U.S.$2.2 million annually and improve workflow by an estimated 23,400 man hours per year
- Qatar Airways continues to rebuild its global network despite the industry-wide challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning to operate more than 1,200 flights to over 140 destinations by the peak of IATA summer 2021 season
Doha, Qatar, 2021-Apr-08 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways today (07 April 2021) celebrated the opening of a new state-of-the-art Engine Facility as part of the vision to streamline the cost of its Technical Maintenance operations by more than $2.2m per year, further supporting the airline’s growth despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Located in the Qatar Airways Technical Maintenance complex, the new 9,000 sq. ft. Engine Facility was officially opened by the Minister of Transport and Communications His Excellency Mr. Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, in the presence of the President of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Nasser Turki Al Subaey, and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, along with other senior officials and VIPs.
It is estimated the new facility will enable the airline to improve workflow by over 1,800 man hours per month, or 23,400 man hours per year, by centralising its engine production and engine parts storage processes, increasing the number of its engine production lines from four to eight covering a variety of aircraft engine types. In addition to this, the ultramodern facility is able to house a total of 80 engines of varying sizes in a temperature and humidity controlled environment, with two specialist ‘Dust Control’ rooms to limit the presence of dust and harmful particles, as well as a dedicated Supply Chain area to minimise waiting times for the ordering and transportation of spare parts.
Minister of Transport and Communications His Excellency Mr. Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, said: “This achievement will boost the ongoing growth of the aviation industry in Qatar and contribute to localising that major industry. This event also keeps pace with the remarkable development in transportation sector in the country in light of the upsurge in development under the country’s wise leadership.
“Lately, the nation’s milestones in the field of aviation industry have increased despite the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamad International Airport, has continued winning awards as the best airport in the world in terms of efficiency, service and amenities for travellers and Qatar Airways has ranked first and won several global awards.
“The State of Qatar, will continue the course of giving and work, as well as carrying out several projects in the future to keep pace with all developments in aviation industry, which is one of the most advanced industries in the world, toward a promising future and an advanced country that takes its position among world countries, until reaching the horizons of Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The continuous improvement and expansion of our Technical Maintenance facilities is a key element in supporting the airline’s ongoing efforts to rebuild our global network to more than 140 destinations by the summer peak season.”
“With the new Engine Facility, we have not only created one of the most technologically-advanced engine assembly and disassembly facilities available within the commercial aviation industry to date, but also doubled our engine production capabilities.”
“The facility’s extensive dedicated Supply Chain area also means that we have instant access to a ready supply of engine parts and equipment, reducing our reliance on external suppliers and further supporting the reliability and technical capability of Qatar Airways’ fleet of next-generation aircraft.”
Qatar Airways has become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. This follows HIA’s recent success as the first and only airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. These recognitions provide assurance to passengers across the world that airline health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment. For full details of all the measures that have been implemented onboard and in HIA, please visit qatarairways.com/safety.
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. Qsuite is available on flights to more than 45 destinations including Johannesburg, Frankfurt, New York and Singapore.
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. In addition to this, Qatar Airways home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) was ranked the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ and ‘Third Best Airport in the World’ by the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2020.
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways:
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.
Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline’s home and hub, was recently ranked “Third Best Airport in the World”, among 550 airports worldwide, by the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2020. Rising from fourth position in 2019 to third in 2020, HIA has been steadily rising in the ‘World’s Best Airports’ rankings since the start of its operations in 2014. In addition, HIA was voted the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the sixth year in a row and ‘Best Staff Service in the Middle East’ for the fifth year in a row.
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 World Cup Qatar 2022TM, 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 in the belly-hold of passenger aircraft to an extensive global network. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters and 24 Boeing 777 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
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