Qatar Airways, interview with Mate Hoffmann: "We are flying back to Venice and Pisa."
Qatar Airways celebrated its first 20 years at Rome Fiumicino by relaunching its operations in the Italian market, "which [...]
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Qatar Airways celebrated its first 20 years in Rome Fiumicino relaunching its activities in the Italian market, "which is in the top ten for passenger traffic," he recalled Mate Hoffmann, regional manager southern Europe during the celebration event held at the Mecenate Palace Rome.
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The occasion was useful to take stock of the network of Qatar Airways and services offered by the airline, awarded a few days ago at the Skytrax Awards as the second-best carrier in the world and with the best global business class (the Qsuite).
From Rome to Venice: the Italian network
The best bonuses
"Qatar opened in the June 2003 connections from Hamad International Airport," Hoffman recalled, "Just a year after we started flights to Milan. Cooperation with Aeroporti di Roma has always been at the highest level, and we have not stopped operations to Fiumicino even in the Covid's most complicated period in 2020."
When will you return to pre Covid levels on Rome?
"For this year in the summer we have 16 weekly connections and for the winter we will reach the same number of flights as in 2019 with weekly frequencies rising to 21, or three flights a day as is already the case on the route to Milan."
Will flights to Venice and Pisa also return?
"It is our next goal. I Direct flights from Venice and Pisa were interrupted during the pandemic, but will return shortly. We are considering when and how to restore, especially based on rotations and availability of aircraft, which as you know in this restart period are more limited. But we are almost ready: we could restart in winter or in 2024. Almost certainly Venice will leave before Pisa."
Will we see the A380 in Italy sooner or later?
"I'm ruling it out for the time being. The giant of the skies is used on higher density routes: Paris, London and Australia. For now, the rotation of A350s and B777s or 787s over Italy is sufficient to guarantee the excellent traffic performance we are experiencing."
Qsuite, lounges and Privilege Club
Regarding Qsuite, then, will we continue to have it on flights from Italy?
"Certainly, however, it depends on aircraft rotations. Our award-winning Qsuite business class - which I think is comparable now to d some First - is available on selected flights. More often on Milan than Rome and especially on A350s and some B777s. On the B787s there is a mix product, very close to Qsuite but with some substantial differences, also due to the smaller cabin."
Is there any news for frequent flyers in the Privilege Club program?
"Our program is very focused on offering the best of services, and we continue to launch promotions that allow you to earn miles and even Avios points, within our oneworld partner programs. I think a key plus of Qatar is that of crediting points directly at check in".
Why?
"Travelers get their points credited in real time as soon as they board the plane: this also means they can spend the points or take advantage of special promotions as soon as they land at Doha Airport at the many shops and duty free shops. We are one of the few airlines in the world to offer this service."
And then find yourself visiting the new Al Mourjan Business Lounge...
"The new newly opened lounge is part of an experience of comfort and care for our clients that is being refined more and more over time. The salon overlooks "The Orchard", the recent extension to the Doha airport inaugurated just before the World Cup. A real garden, under a steel dome, with a wide variety of plants inside, a space that offers passengers a completely different environment in which to wait for their flight, in total relaxation and in tune with nature. From this point of view, I think we can talk about an absolute quality experience that is increasingly seamless...from our seats to the airport and beyond."
And the Skytrax 2023 awards confirm this...
"We are extremely pleased. Skytrax also honored Doha Hamad Airport as the second best airport in the world, and Qatar Airways won the award for World's Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and second best in the world; as well as winning the award for World's Best Business Class Lounge and World's Best Business Class Lounge Dining. This means that they are the same passengers and frequent flyer to reward us And to recognize the quality of our work."
The role of Rome Fiumicino
What does it mean for Qatar to manage the entire Southeast European quadrant from Rome?
"From Rome we operate the entire quadrant with a network of 7 airports and 172 flights per week to 9 countries: Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Bosnia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia. These are also joined by Malta and North Macedonia, where we had flights in the pre-Covid and plan to restore them in the future."
Growth and a central role for new goals?
"At the beginning in 2003 the staff in Rome numbered 7 people, but now we are about 80, including the airport and commercial teams. Our goal is to continue to be a point of reference for Italian travelers looking for quality service, comfort and seamless travel experience during all phases, on board as well as at the airport in our Doha hub with an offering in terms of connecting flights from Hamad International Airport to Australia, Asia and Africa for a total of 161 global routes."
The centrality of Doha
With the possibility of stopover in Qatar...
"Together with Discover Qatar (the country's tourism board, ed.) we support the development of packages Stopover in Qatar, which allow you to discover an ideal destination for desert adventures, shopping, fine dining and culture, from traditional souks to museums and art galleries. Packages include. stays up to 4 nights in hotel, tours and experiences, starting at $14 per person for one night."
Does growth on Rome include anything new in terms of connecting flights, perhaps to South America or North America, along the lines of other carriers?
"I rule it out: we have very strong partnerships with the Iag Group (Iberia and British) and all oneworld airlines. Our focus remains the network via Doha to Asia and Australia. A model that is working very well for Italian travelers. We also continue to focus on direct flights to the U.S. from Doha. Here we have seen the greatest growth, which has practically tripled since pre-Covid: we serve 11 destinations in the States, almost all with two daily flights."
What are the main trends in air traffic as seen by Qatar Airways?
"Business travel is catching up more slowly and is still stuck at about 85% compared to 2019 levels; but the real leap forward is that recorded by the premium leisure tourism segment: this is the real big post-Covid phenomenon. For the Italian market, the most popular destinations are. Indonesia, Thailand, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro; but destination Qatar also continues to see a major increase. It is not only the effect of the Fifa World Cup. Italians are also discovering the many attractions offered outside the classic circuit on Doha, and cruises are bringing in more tourists. The ethnic market is also growing, especially from Italy to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Philippines."