简体中文
By APD writer Muhammad Sohail
Qatar Airways has released its report for 2018-19, highlighting the airline group's success and underlying robust financial health in the face of the continued illegal airspace blockade against Qatar, and said its overall revenue and other operating income grew by 14 percent annually, local media reported.
Passenger revenue grew by 14.3 percent with capacity (Available Seat Kilometers) growth of 13.5 percent.
Cargo revenue witnessed a growth of 16.8 percent with cargo capacity (Available Tonne Kilometers) growing 11.8 percent annually. Executive jet revenue also witnessed substantial growth of 18.4 percent in comparison to the previous year.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said, "2018-19 was a year of achievement in the face of adversity for Qatar Airways. Despite facing challenges that are unparalleled in the airline industry, we have grown our fleet expanded our network and seen overall revenue increase to 13.2 billion U.S. dollars.”
“Passenger numbers are also up, capacity, as measured by available seat kilometers, has risen and our Cargo business is now the largest in the world. Our success is due to an unwavering belief in our strategy to give our passengers the very best,” said Baker.
The airline launched 11 new destinations during the fiscal year 2019 and has now added 31 since the start of the illegal blockade, growing its network to over 160 gateways around the world.
The airline's fleet grew by 25 aircraft to a point where it welcomed its 250th aircraft in March 2019. With more than 300 aircraft worth more than 85 billion U.S. dollars on order (including options and Letters of Intent) the group has the capacity to continue its ambitious but sustainable network expansion strategy.
Overall, QR Group invested 4.4 billion U.S. dollars in acquisition of aircraft and other assets as well as acquisition of shares of international airlines during the year.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
