Australia (Commonwealth Union) _ Qatar Airways officials recently appeared before an Australian senate inquiry focusing on the airline industry. The airline had requested to increase weekly flights into Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, which was rejected by Australian authorities in July. Presently, Qatar Airways operates 28 weekly flights to Australia’s major airports, contributing significantly to the country’s economy. If the airline’s application had been approved, this contribution would have doubled to approximately $3 billion.
During the inquiry, Qatar Airways’ senior vice president of global sales, Matt Raos, highlighted the airline’s pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic. When other airlines reduced their services, Qatar Airways stepped up to assist Australians returning home. Raos stressed that the Australian government had requested their support, and members of parliament from different political parties also sought their assistance for constituents stranded abroad.
However, Qatar Airways’ CEO, Akbar Al Baker, had previously criticized the rejection, labelling it as “very unfair.” Some speculate that the close relationship between the government and the national carrier, Qantas, influenced this decision. Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder was scheduled to appear before the committee to provide insights.
A notable aspect of the rejection was the lack of a clear reason provided by the Australian government. Qatar Airways claimed they learned about the decision through media reports rather than receiving formal communication from the government. Raos expressed concern that this decision did not fully consider the interests of Australians traveling abroad, as they currently pay high prices for international travel. Furthermore, the decision might deter international visitors from coming to Australia.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Qatar Airways emerged as Australia’s leading international carrier, operating up to 48,000 weekly seats. This impressive contribution to the Australian aviation landscape contrasts with the rejection of their flight expansion request.
The rejection stemmed from a strip-search incident in 2020 involving five Australian women in Qatar. These passengers were part of a group of 13 women who were removed from a Qatar Airways flight and subjected to strip searches after the discovery of a premature baby in a terminal restroom at Hamad International Airport. These women are now pursuing legal action against the airline in Australia’s Federal Court.
Qatar Airways’ senior vice president of aeropolitical and corporate affairs, Fathi Atti, clarified that the airline had not been formally informed about the strip-search incident during the application process. Raos emphasized that the airline viewed this incident as an isolated issue and was committed to ensuring it did not recur. Qatar Airways expressed its dedication to maintaining high standards in passenger treatment and safety.
In summary, Qatar Airways sought to expand its operations in Australia but faced a surprising rejection from Australian authorities. This decision raised concerns about its impact on travellers and the airline’s significant contribution to the Australian economy. The rejection was linked to a strip-search incident involving the airline, but Qatar Airways emphasized its commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.
