Qatar Airways on Tuesday (Sep 18) posted a net loss of over US$69 million in the year to March 2018, blaming the "illegal blockade" against Doha by a Saudi-led bloc of countries. Qatar Airways files US$69 million loss amid Gulf crisis, photo: AFP The tiny Gulf emirate's national airline said the period had been "the most challenging year in its 20-year history". Saudi Arabia and its allies broke off diplomatic relations with gas-rich Qatar on Jun 5, 2017. They closed all land, sea and air links with the emirate over its alleged proximity to Saudi Arabia's arch-enemy Iran and support for radical Islamist groups. Qatar has refuted the accusations, saying its Gulf Arab rivals are trying to seize control of Doha's foreign policy. In a statement, Qatar Airways said the blockade had directly impacted its revenues, slashing seat occupancy on flights leaving Qatar by some 19 percent. It said its fleet had been forced to ply longer routes, raising fuel costs, as well as cancelling … [Read more...] about Qatar Airways files US$69 million loss amid Gulf crisis
Qatar airways q c s c
Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to Da Nang
Qatar Airways will open direct flights to the central city of Da Nang by the end of this year, according to the municipal Tourism Promotion Centre. Accordingly, the Qatar airline will offer four weekly flights from Doha capital city to Da Nang city on Boeing 787-8 aircraft, featuring 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. Da Nang is the third Vietnamese destination, after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, connecting to Qatar. Currently, there are 24 international airways with 15 direct flights operating at Da Nang international airport. The city expects the new air route will help promote trade, investment and tourism between the central region and the Middle East Da Nang welcomed more than 4 million tourists in the first half of 2018, surging by almost 30 percent year-on-year.-VNA … [Read more...] about Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to Da Nang
Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to Danang
Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to DanangBy Nhan Tam A Qatar Airways aircraft is parked at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in this file photo. Qatar Airways will launch its direct service to Danang, starting December 19 – PHOTO: LE ANH DANANG – Qatar Airways has announced plans to launch direct flights to Danang, starting December 19. The central coast city will be the third Vietnamese destination on the Doha-based airline’s rapidly expanding global network, preceded by HCMC and Hanoi. The carrier will operate four weekly flights from Qatar to Danang using Boeing 787-8 jetliners with 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. Commenting on the launch, Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways group chief executive, said the new direct route demonstrates the carrier’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Far East, which is a crucial market for the airline. Its existing services to HCMC and Hanoi have recorded notable growth. … [Read more...] about Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to Danang
Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to Đà Nẵng this December
Airplanes land and take off at Đà Nẵng International Airport. The airport will host more flights from Doha, Qatar from December. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News DOHA, QATAR — Qatar Airways will launch direct flights to Đà Nẵng starting December 19 as the third Vietnamese destination on the award-winning airline’s rapidly expanding global network. The airline said in a statement on September 6 that it will offer four-times weekly flights with a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, featuring 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our newest gateway to Việt Nam, the beautiful city of Đà Nẵng. This new direct route demonstrates our commitment to expanding our presence in the Far East, a highly-important market for Qatar Airways." Qatar Airways began direct services to HCM City in … [Read more...] about Qatar Airways to launch direct flights to Đà Nẵng this December
Bamboo Airways gets Government’s approval
Bamboo Airways gets Government's approval The Saigon Times Daily Vietnamese construction company FLC Group and its subsidiary Bamboo Airways introduce Brand Identity Division for the startup airline on April 20 – PHOTO: VGP HCMC – Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has signed a decision on behalf of the Prime Minister giving approval in principle for the Bamboo Airways air transport project, the Government news website reported. Bamboo Airways, a subsidiary of property developer FLC Group, is set to be headquartered at Phu Cat Airport in the south-central coastal province of Binh Dinh, according to Prime Minister’s Decision No. 836, dated July 9. The Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Transport to appraise the airline project and issue a business license for aviation transport in line with the prevailing regulations. Meanwhile, the People’s Committee of Binh Dinh will be responsible for verifying the information of the project and inspecting … [Read more...] about Bamboo Airways gets Government’s approval
Qatar urges UN’s top court to end UAE ‘climate of fear’
The United Arab Emirates has spread a "climate of fear" among Qataris living there, splitting families and causing "substantial pain" during a year-long blockade, the UN's top court heard on Friday (Jun 29). Qatar, a small peninsula nation, found its only land border closed, its state-owned airline barred from using its neighbours' airspace, and Qatari residents expelled from the boycotting countries. (Photo: AFP/Karim Jaafar) As the bitter Gulf crisis moves to the world tribunals, Doha is appealing to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to order emergency measures to lift restrictions imposed on Qataris in June 2017 by Abu Dhabi. "Many Qataris still resident in the UAE live in perpetual fear, they live in the shadow of the UAE's expulsion order," leading British barrister Peter Goldsmith, acting for Doha, told the court. On Jun 7, 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and other allies severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of backing terrorism, and imposed … [Read more...] about Qatar urges UN’s top court to end UAE ‘climate of fear’
Cabinet members join Legislature’s Q&A sessions
Three Deputy Prime Ministers and several Cabinet members will answer questions raised by legislators at the National Assembly's Q&A session broadcast live by the national television from June 4-6. According to the Legislature's new rules, each Cabinet member will have three minutes to provide answers to each question. The change is designed to increase dialogue and face-to-face debate. Cabinet members join Legislature's Q&A sessions VGP … [Read more...] about Cabinet members join Legislature’s Q&A sessions
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/1
Vietnam promotes trade, tourism in ChileVietnamese Chargé d'affaires a.i. in Chile Nguyen Minh Anh introduced the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Chile in trade and tourism at a seminar in Chile on January 19.Anh highlighted the remarkable growth in bilateral trade exchange recently, with value reaching 1.28 billion USD. He noted that Vietnam is the 10th biggest foreign trade partner and the second largest Southeast Asian market of Chile.The diplomat underlined the trend among young Chilean entrepreneurs to seek investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.A representative of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Vietnam – Chile free trade agreement, effective in 2014, has made significant contributions to increasing trade exchanges between the two nations.Vietnam can serve as a gateway for Chilean products to enter ASEAN markets, while Chile as a bridge connecting Vietnam and Latin America.The seminar, jointly hosted by the Embassy … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/1
Thai Airways to launch flights to South Africa
By Mong Binh - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Thai Airways International will commence flights connecting Vietnam and Johannesburg, South Africa from June to allow tourists to explore the country, especially during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The carrier’s office in HCMC on Wednesday told the Daily that the new direct service would depart from its hub in Bangkok at about 1:15 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and advised passengers from Vietnam to board its flights in the evening on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Currently, Thai Airways operates two daily flights from Hanoi and HCMC to Bangkok and vice versa. The evening flight departs from Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport at 8:45 p.m. and from HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport at 8:50 p.m. The airline is currently promoting premium economy and economy class discount fares starting at US$501 for return flights to South Africa for bookings from May 1 to June 19, as part of a special fare program the … [Read more...] about Thai Airways to launch flights to South Africa
Qatar values ties with Vietnam: State Minister for Foreign Affairs
He made the statement at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on December 11, as part of his three-day official visit to the country starting on December 10.At the reception, Minh expressed his delight at robust growth of bilateral relations and put forth a number of measures to step up the engagements, particularly in economy and trade.He suggested a bilateral trade goal of US$1 billion, asking Qatar to facilitate Vietnam’s export of farm produce, food, and construction materials to the country.He proposed Qatar create conditions to receive more Vietnamese workers.He said Vietnam expects to welcome high-ranking delegations from Qatar in 2018, as the year marks the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.Earlier the same day, the Qatar official held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam, during which both sides agreed to enhance bilateral friendship and exchange of delegations, particularly high-ranking ones.They … [Read more...] about Qatar values ties with Vietnam: State Minister for Foreign Affairs