Qatar Airways strengthens its commitment to fighting wildlife crime
DOHA, Qatar, 2019-Feb-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways has launched an industry-leading training programme focused on preventing illegal wildlife trafficking. The bespoke e-learning package, developed by Qatar Airways to enhance employee awareness regarding the illegal trafficking of wildlife, is targeted at those roles within the airline which are most likely to encounter illegal activity.
The training programme aims to familiarise employees with the effects of wildlife crime, the common routes and methods used to smuggle wildlife, and how to report and respond to illegal activity. The training package will also be made available to customs and security staff at Hamad International Airport (HIA).
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The launch of this new training programme marks a significant milestone in our strategic approach to preventing wildlife crime across our network. Qatar Airways has a zero-tolerance policy towards the illegal trade of endangered wildlife, and is actively engaged in stopping illegal wildlife transportation in its tracks. We remain committed to providing our staff with the tools they need to combat this illegal activity.”
Illegal trade in wild animals and animal products is worth an estimated $23 billion USD per year, and it is one of the largest threats to the survival of some of the world’s most endangered species. Wildlife and wildlife products are transported around the world for trade, relying on commercial transport services, including global aviation, to smuggle illicit goods.
Since signing the United for Wildlife Transport Industry Declaration at Buckingham Palace in March 2016, Qatar Airways has risen to the challenge of tackling global wildlife crime by implementing multiple initiatives to raise employee and passenger awareness, and improve detection of illegal activity.
To strengthen its position through collaboration and access to shared resources, Qatar Airways joined USAID’s ROUTES Partnership in October 2017. The ROUTES Partnership is comprised of a select group of private sector, non-government organisations and government agencies working together to combat wildlife crime across transportation networks. This partnership has been instrumental in the development of Qatar Airways’ training and awareness campaign, and has helped the airline to share intelligence and best practice within the industry.
In addition, Qatar Airways has been proactively working with government stakeholders responsible for security and customs at Hamad International Airport and at hotspot outstations. This has led to the development of shared procedures for wildlife crime reporting and follow-up.
Qatar Airways’ efforts also extend to raising awareness amongst its passengers through a strategic awareness campaign, comprising of electronic posters at Hamad International Airport, feature articles on wildlife in Qatar Airways’ in-flight magazine and in-flight entertainment system, and wildlife-themed posts on the airlines’ social media channels.
A multiple-award winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 230 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport, to more than 160 destinations worldwide.
The airline has launched an array of exciting new destinations recently, including Gothenburg Sweden; Mombasa, Kenya and Da Nang, Vietnam. Qatar Airways will add a number of new destinations to its extensive route network in 2019, including Malta, as well as many more.
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 230 aircraft. The world’s fastest-growing airline added a number of exciting destinations to its growing network including Gothenburg, Sweden; Da Nang, Vietnam; and Mombasa, Kenya in 2018, and several new destinations are due to be launched this year, including Malta, as well as many more.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways has been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, four 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 150 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 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 15 Boeing 777 freighters and eight 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