State-owned aerospace company Qatar Airways (QA) has been working tirelessly to help out seafarers stranded abroad due to the coronavirus by operating specialist chartered flights in conjunction with the international maritime industry.
Photo: Qatar Airways
More than 150,000 workers have been brought home across 100 destinations as officials have set up a temporary hostel in at the corporation's hub, Marad International Airport, to house those still waiting for their return trip.
This "Mariner's lounge" has many of the facilities afforded by luxury hotels, including leisure facilities, high-speed wifi and an international selection of food and beverages.
QA's fleet of low-fuel aircraft has allowed it to remain active and agile throughout the pandemic and offer a mix of scheduled and charter flights to reunite stranded seafarers with their families or to allow for seamless crew transfers in international waters.
The state-owned Qatari company has only been operating flights running on more sustainable fuels to minimise the environmental impacts of such a high density of flights.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways recognises the vital role shipping plays and how seafarers are essential to keeping the global economy open and operating.
"As a gesture of our thanks and to show our support to the industry, we have established a dedicated Mariner Lounge at Hamad International Airport that is complimentary for all seafarers and offshore workers travelling with Qatar Airways. While waiting for their connecting flight they can relax in comfort and enjoy the wide variety of refreshments on offer.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have worked closely with governments and the maritime industry to operate as many flights as possible to facilitate crew changes and to reunite seafarers with their families and loved ones. While other airlines stopped flying, Qatar Airways pledges to remain open for business to facilitate essential business travel.
He added: "With plans to further expand our network to more than 125 destinations, we will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to continue to be the airline of choice to keep seafarers and the global economy moving.”
Among the Qatari company's fleet are 52 Airbus A350 aircraft, which have been partially responsible in allowing the repatriation schemes to remain active during the pandemic.
QA hopes this initiative will put them on the world stage for renewable air travel, after having grounded some of their other models owing to environmental inefficiencies from their operations.
Nearly 700 flights are currently being operated weekly in order to ensure the expatriates are delivered home safely and QA hopes it can rebuild its network of commercial flights by the end of the year.
Qatar Airways has been closely working with governments to ensure a safe transition of passengers.
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