LONDON – On August 29, the Finnish flag carrier airline, Finnair, announced that it has signed a new partnership with Qatar Airways as well as launching new services to Doha.
The New Partnership
Beginning in November and December 2022, Finnair will be launching its new daily services to Doha from three of its Nordic capital hubs.
These are Helsinki in Finland, Stockholm in Sweden, and Copenhagen in Denmark. The services will be operated by Finnair’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which the carrier has eight of in its fleet.
Their Airbus A330-300s have a mixture of configurations. However, the ones flying on the new Doha services will feature Finnair’s new long-haul cabin.
This comes with their new Air Lounge business class seats, a brand-new premium economy class, as well as a refreshed economy class, all to improve their passengers’ experiences.
The new strategic partnership that comes into play alongside these new services will play both a benefit to Finnair and Qatar Airways passengers, but also to the carrier’s profitability and performance, with cargo also being shared between the two carriers.
Both airlines are also a part of the oneworld airline alliance.
Qatar Airways currently serves non-stop daily services to Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Stockholm, all using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Of which, Qatar currently has 30 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in its fleet, with a further 23 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on backorder with Boeing.
Commenting on the new partnership, Qatar Airways Group’s Chief Executive, His Excellency, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, has said, “As a fellow oneworld member, we enjoy a close relationship with Finnair, and these new services to Hamad International Airport are an example of Qatar Airways working with partners for the benefit of our joint customers.”
“This strategic partnership demonstrates our commitment to the Nordic markets and strengthens our position as the leading Middle East carrier in this important region. This partnership will be the foundation for the future expansion here.”
“Soon, Doha will be the oneworld hub bringing more airline partners together than ever before.”
“With this codeshare agreement, travelers from the Nordics will continue to have excellent connectivity to Doha with Finnair and onwards with Qatar Airways to attractive leisure and key business destinations across Asia, Africa, Australasia, and the Middle East.”
In line with the comments from Al Baker, it is evident that Qatar Airways has more partnerships up its sleeve that will be announced in due course, all to further strengthen its ideal location in the Middle East.
Adding to Al Baker’s comments, Finnair’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Topi Manner, has said, “We are delighted to expand our collaboration with our oneworld partner Qatar Airways, offering new connections between Doha and the three Nordic Capitals.”
“The role of Doha as an international hub is growing, and Qatar Airways has extensive connections from Doha onwards to, for example, Australasia, the Middle East, and Africa.”
Overall
Being both oneworld partner airlines, this new partnership doesn’t come as a surprise to many, but it certainly highlights the demand increase that Finnair is seeing within its network since the relaxation of Covid restrictions across the globe, and the new addition will certainly benefit passengers stopping or connecting through Doha onto Qatar Airways’ expansive global network.
