Interview – Mate Hoffmann: ‘2023 Was an Exciting Year for Qatar Airways’

Qatar Airways Regional Manager Southern Europe Mate Hoffmann.

Qatar Airways in 2023 re-launched and opened new routes to key destinations across the globe, expanding its network to more than 170 destinations.

In an interview with GTP Headlines at the end of 2023, Qatar Airways Regional Manager Southern Europe Mate Hoffmann looks back on “an exciting year” that included increasing frequencies and adding more capacity to many destinations including Athens; several important partnerships; and celebrating the airline’s 10-year anniversary as a member of the award-winning oneworld alliance.

2023 is also the year that His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, after 27 years of service, stepped down from his position as Group Chief Executive for Qatar Airways. He was succeeded by Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer as Group Chief Executive for the airline.

Speaking about the Greek market, Mate makes special reference to the importance of Mykonos as a destination in Qatar Airways’ network due to strong demand to and from the island.

Qatar Airways has operated seasonal Mykonos-Doha flights since 2018. “We now operate Mykonos with four weekly flights during summer on an Airbus A320, and so far, we have carried 60+ thousand passengers to and from Mykonos,” Mate said.

With regard to Qatar Airways’ Athens-Doha route, flights have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 3 daily flights, 7 days per week, during the summer peak. Throughout the rest of the year, Athens is served with a double daily flight, 7 days per week.

Moreover, in this interview, Mate gives us an update on Qatar Airways products and makes special mention to the offered experience for visitors of Doha, which was recently named as the Arab Tourism Capital 2023 by the Arab Tourism Organization.

“This is a testament to Qatar’s exceptional achievements in leisure and hospitality, adding to the country’s ever-growing popularity as a destination,” Mate said.

• GTP: Mate, Qatar Airways this summer celebrated five years of seasonal flights to Mykonos Airport. What was the airline’s contribution throughout the years to the destination?
  

Mate Hoffmann: Since 2018, Qatar Airways has operated seasonal flights between Mykonos and Doha, connecting passengers and the residents of Cyclades islands to more than 170 global destinations on the Qatar Airways network. Following the pandemic shutdown, Mykonos was one of the first destinations we resumed flights to in 2021 demonstrating the importance of the destination for Qatar Airways and the strong demand from our network to and from the island. We now operate Mykonos with four weekly flights during summer on an Airbus A320, and so far, we have carried 60+ thousand passengers to and from Mykonos. The main feeder markets for Mykonos in 2023 were Qatar, Australia, United Arab Emirates, India, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and South Africa.

• GTP: Qatar Airways is a multiple awarded airline. What awards have been achieved in 2023?
  

Mate Hoffmann: A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ for the tenth time at the 2023 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, also taking home, Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining at the prestigious awards held during the 2023 Paris Air Show. Qatar Airways is an unprecedented seven-time winner of the “World’s Best Airline” voted by Skytrax (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022).
Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, voted by Skytrax as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in 2021 and 2022 consecutively. This year, Hamad International Airport has been ranked by Skytrax as the second-best airport in the world, and received the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ accolade for the ninth time in a row, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’.

• GTP: Following 2018 and 2022, Qatar Airways is the Official Airline Partner of Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition 2024. How is the airline supporting the shipping industry in Greece and globally?
  

Mate Hoffmann: Our support to the shipping industry has been instrumental over the years. Since 2018 we are the official airline partner of Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition, offering special fares to people traveling from our network to attend the exhibition in Greece. Through our expanding network, strategic partnerships within oneworld and other global strategic alliances, we are able to service the needs of the shipping industry globally. Our airline played an instrumental role repatriating seafarers during the pandemic. During the pandemic, Qatar Airways carried more than 500,000 mariners for both repatriations and crew changes. In addition, the airline operated more than 130 charter flights, with some of them originating from Greece, carrying over 35,00 workers. Our commitment to the maritime industry remains strong with our world’s-first and exclusive Mariner Lounge at Hamad International Airport. Mariner Lounge opened its doors in 2020 and since then has received more than 300,000 visitors. Seafarers and offshore workers flying with us can enjoy a comfortable and memorable journey with exclusive complimentary access to our dedicated Mariner Lounge to relax, dine, refresh and experience exclusive benefits in addition to our world-class service and hospitality.

• GTP: Beyond Business is Qatar Airways dedicated corporate travel loyalty program. How companies can benefit from the program?
  

Mate Hoffmann: Our corporate loyalty program, Beyond Business, offers exclusive benefits with rewards and savings. For participating businesses, we provide tailored solutions, based on each company’s travel spend in order to maximize their corporate travel budget.
Companies earn Qrewards collectively from all employee travel which can then be redeemed for dynamic award flights, flight upgrades, Qatar Duty Free vouchers, Al Maha lounge access and more.

• GTP: What have been the major highlights in 2023 for Qatar Airways?
  

Mate Hoffmann: 2023 was an exciting year for Qatar Airways. We re-launched and opened new routes to key destinations across the globe, expanding our network to more than 170 destinations. We have also increased our frequencies adding more capacity to many destinations including Athens, were our flights returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 3 daily flights, 7 days per week, during the summer peak. Throughout the rest of the year, Athens is served with a double daily flight, 7 days per week. This year Qatar Airways also proudly commemorated its 10-year anniversary as a member of the award-winning oneworld alliance. Through its competitive connectivity, Qatar Airways substantially strengthens oneworld’s global network and provides alliance passengers with superior routing alternatives across hundreds of city pairs. In 2023 Qatar Airways also announced several important and exciting partnerships, including most recently becoming the Global Airline Partner of Italian Giants FC Internazionale Milano. Until 2027 Qatar Airways will be the Global Partner and Official Airline of Formula 1®, providing a viable and world-class option for travelling all over the world to attend F1® races. Lastly, after 27 years of remarkable service, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive – His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, has stepped down from his current position as Group Chief Executive and was succeeded by Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer as Group Chief Executive for the airline.

• GTP: There are a lot of developments and many events have been organized in Doha, Qatar the recent years. What is the offered experience for visitors of Qatar?
  

Mate Hoffmann: There are many reasons for one to add Qatar in their travel bucket list. Qatar, a destination that satisfies all preferences and traveler styles, offers a fascinating variety of adventures, beautiful beaches, entertainment, cultural, culinary and shopping experiences. Travellers can opt-in for a weekend getaway or break up their long journey when travelling with us, enhancing their trip by choosing an amazing stopover package booked online or through their preferred travel agency. Stopover packages include accommodation, airport services, excursions, activities and transfers, plus visa-free entry to 95 nationalities. Doha was recently named as the Arab Tourism Capital 2023 by the Arab Tourism Organization. This is a testament to Qatar’s exceptional achievements in leisure and hospitality, adding to the country’s ever-growing popularity as a destination.

• GTP: What are the recent developments of Qatar Airways products (Privilege Club – Frequent Flyer Program, Lounges in DOH / Premium travel)?
  

Mate Hoffmann: Last year Qatar Airways Privilege Club adopted Avios as its reward currency offering a range of benefits to its members such as greater guaranteed award seats, payment with Cash+Avios and competitive prices on Qatar Airways flights. In a world first, passengers can collect Avios on their flight and spend the points immediately upon landing at Hamad International Airport. In addition, the world’s first-ever Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno opened its doors in 2023 offering an exquisite fusion of luxury gastronomy and French savoir faire – exclusively for Privilege Club Gold and Platinum members.
Passengers travelling in Premium Class get exclusive benefits as they enjoy the World’s Best Business Class (Skytrax). Our Business Class is elegantly designed with spacious interiors, but it’s not just about the comfort of the seat, the food, service and luxury amenities on-board are also truly exceptional. Premium passengers can even dine on demand with mouth-watering dishes, whenever they desire.
Qatar Airways has also opened the new Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport named ‘The Garden’. The lounge overlooks ‘The ORCHARD’, surrounded by renowned retailers and restaurants, while offering uniquely designed relaxation spaces and areas to socialise and indulge in a scenic masterpiece. An exclusive sanctuary available only for Qatar Airways Premium Passengers, The Garden features 24 quiet spaces, each designed to offer optimum relaxation available free of charge for the first six hours, and also features seven spa treatment rooms.

• GTP: Qverse is Qatar Airways virtual reality customer journey. What are the features of Qverse?
  

Mate Hoffmann: Throughout its history, Qatar Airways has been a pioneer of innovation and Qverse is yet another example of that. ‘QVerse’ invites users on a virtual journey of discovery on-board a Qatar Airways flight, and features the world’s first MetaHuman Cabin Crew, ‘Sama’, whose name is of Arabic origin and translates to ‘sky’. Users of the www.qatarairways.com/QVerse website can now virtually tour and navigate the Premium Check-in area at Hamad International Airport, the cabin interior of the airline’s aircraft, including the award-winning Business Class – Qsuite, and the Economy Class cabin, from their own device.

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