Qatar Airways Soars | A 60% Surge in African Capacity Signals Rapid Expansion. Qatar Airways, a leading airline in the Northern Hemisphere, is experiencing significant growth in its capacity to Africa during the crucial third quarter (July to September). While the airline’s overall seats for sale in Q3 have increased by 5% compared to 2019, its capacity to Africa has surged by an impressive 60%. Check latest news about Qatar Airways.
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Qatar Airways Expands African Operations
In Q3, Qatar Airways has scheduled 790,000 departing seats from its Doha hub to various destinations across Africa. This substantial increase of 297,000 seats (+60%) compared to 2019 highlights the airline’s focus on the African market. Moreover, it marks a 3% growth compared to its previous record set in 2022.
Africa Emerges as Qatar Airways’ Fastest-Growing Region
Among all its regions, Africa stands out as Qatar Airways’ fastest-growing continent. Although North America (+53%) and the Middle East (+47%) are also witnessing significant growth, the end of the Qatar blockade has allowed the carrier to add an impressive 383,000 intra-Middle East departing seats, making it the world’s fastest-growing region.
Expanding Reach in Africa
In the third quarter, Qatar Airways operates passenger flights to 29 different African destinations, with one-stop routes playing a crucial role. Despite the increase in seats, the network has reduced by one compared to the previous year due to the conflict in Khartoum, Sudan, making it inaccessible for airlines.
New African Destinations
In recent years, Qatar Airways has added several African destinations to its network, including Abidjan (2021), Accra (2020), Abuja (2020), Harare (2021), Kano (2022), Luanda (2020), and Port Harcourt (2022). Additionally, the end of the blockade with Egypt led to the return of Cairo and Alexandria in 2021. Windhoek, Namibia, and Marrakech, Morocco, also joined the network in 2022 and June 2023, respectively.
Uncertainty Surrounding Kinshasa and Juba
While Qatar Airways had previously announced plans to include Kinshasa and Juba in its 2023 routes, it remains uncertain whether these routes have been postponed or canceled. Other international carriers, such as flydubai, continue to serve Juba.
Farewell to Windhoek
Despite rejoining Qatar Airways’ network in June 2022, Windhoek, Namibia, will see its last flight with the carrier on November 21st. This route, spanning 4,003 miles, has been critical for passengers traveling to Germany, France, and China. The exit may open opportunities for other airlines like Air France or Turkish Airlines to serve Windhoek. However, Qatar Airways has scheduled flights to return in April 2024, potentially as a Northern Hemisphere summer seasonal service.
Future Expansion in Africa
Qatar Airways’ rapid growth in Africa showcases its commitment to expanding its presence on the continent. As it continues to explore new destinations and opportunities, the airline’s development in Africa remains an exciting prospect.