Qatar Airways to potentially acquire up to 25 per cent of Russia’s third-largest airport Vnukovo International Airport

• MoU between the award-winning airline and Russia’s third-largest airport, Vnukovo International Airport, signed on Wednesday in Doha
• Qatar Airways operates triple-daily flights to Moscow and daily flights to St. Petersburg                  

DOHA, Qatar, 2018-Apr-06 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that it has entered into an MoU with Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport, Russia’s third-largest airport, to potentially acquire up to 25 per cent of the airport’s total shares. The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday 4 April at the Oryx Rotana Hotel in Doha.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, signed the MoU along with Chairman of the Board of Vnukovo International Airport JSC, Mr. Vitaly Vantsev. The signing took place in the presence of Deputy General Commerce for Vnukovo International Airport, Mr. Anton Kuznetsov.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “As we celebrate the Year of Culture between Russia and the State of Qatar, I am very pleased to announce the potential acquisition of up to 25 per cent of Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport. Such an investment will complement the strong ties we have already established with the country, with our launch of direct services to St. Petersburg late last year, as well as our triple-daily flights to Moscow. All our investments are part of our existing expansion strategy, through which we aim to be able to bring even more people together from all parts of the globe.”

Chairman of the Board of Vnukovo International Airport, Mr. Vitaly Vantsev, said: “Today we have signed the Memorandum of Understanding, the provisions of which, once implemented, could establish a foundation for productive partnership between Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading air carriers and a true, recognised touchstone of sterling quality of passenger and in-flight services, and Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. Vnukovo International nowadays boasts the best transport accessibility and most advanced, cutting-edge airport infrastructure in Russia, enabling the Airport’s consistently impressive passenger growth performance nationwide. This gives me every confidence that our potential partnership will be mutually beneficial and good for all concerned, through further synergies it will be creating for each partner, enabling further growth.”

This potential investment supports the award-winning airline’s investment strategy, which already includes 20 per cent investment in International Airlines Group, 10 per cent investment in LATAM Airlines Group, 9.94 per cent investment in Cathay Pacific and 49 per cent investment in Air Italy.

Qatar Airways recently announced that it has become the General Partner of Cosmoscow, the International Contemporary Art Fair, an event that unites the contemporary Russian art market and helps its contributors establish contacts with the international art community. This collaboration is one of many between the State of Qatar and Russia, who are this year celebrating the Year of Culture.

The airline shares strong links with Russia, as it operates triple daily flights to Moscow and daily flights to St. Petersburg, launched in December 2017.

Named 2017 Airline of the Year by Skytrax, the national carrier of the State of Qatar is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. In 2018/2019, Qatar Airways will be adding many more exciting destinations to its network, including London Gatwick and Cardiff, United Kingdom; Lisbon, Portugal; Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, Malta; Cebu and Davao, Philippines; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece and Málaga, Spain.

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 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2018, including Thessaloniki, Greece; Cardiff, UK and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘Airline of the Year’ by the 2017 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’

Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. 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, 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 2018 and 2022 World Cups, 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, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 60 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with more than 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters, 13 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747-8 freighters.

For further information, please contact:

Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department

Tel: +974 4022 2200
+974 4022 5350
qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa

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