ch-aviation
• Paul Ash
Qatar Airways is leasing Heathrow airport slots from Oman Air, adding access to capacity at one of Europe’s busiest hubs. The available report does not specify the number of slots, lease duration or the routes Qatar Airways plans to operate using them.
Qatar Airways
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Qatar Airways is leasing Heathrow airport slots from Oman Air, adding access to capacity at one of Europe’s busiest hubs. The available report does not specify the number of slots, lease duration or the routes Qatar Airways plans to operate using them.
Qatar Airways has leased takeoff and landing slots at London Heathrow from Oman Air, securing access to airport capacity through an arrangement between the two Gulf carriers. The available report does not specify the number of slots, lease duration or whether the deal will enable additional flights.
Qatar Airways is seriously considering introducing a premium-economy cabin, CEO Hamad Ali Al-Khater told Executive Traveller, but the airline has made no final decision. The possibility marks a shift from former chief executive Akbar Al Baker’s position that the carrier’s economy class already offered a comparable experience.
Thales says its cloud-native FlytEDGE platform is preparing to enter service with Qatar Airways and Delta Air Lines. The announcement, made at APEX FTE EXPO 2026, marks the platform’s transition toward airline operations as Thales continues to develop its inflight experience offering.
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Qatar Airways plans to begin service to Western Sydney International on Dec. 15, 2027, with three weekly Boeing 777-300ER flights linking the airport to Doha. The airport will be the carrier’s seventh Australian gateway; Qatar Airways says it intends to increase the route to daily service over time.
Qatar Airways has fully retired its A330 passenger fleet, telling Reuters that the older widebodies are no longer economical amid higher fuel costs and prolonged disruption to Gulf aviation linked to the Iran war. The move marks another step in the carrier’s widebody fleet modernization.
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Qatar Airways has permanently retired its remaining Airbus A330 passenger aircraft, which stopped flying in late February after disruptions linked to the Iran war. The aging widebodies had remained in service roughly four years longer than planned because production delays held up their replacement aircraft; pilots are being offered temporary assignments with RwandAir.
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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says the airline will not add a fuel surcharge despite rising jet fuel prices, citing hedging through summer 2026. He expects competitors to pass costs to passengers, potentially accelerating failures and consolidation, while Qatar Airways is also holding off on fare increases for now.
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