(Posted 21st June 2022)
Hamad International Airport (HIA) has been ranked and named the “Best
Airport in the World” for the second year in a row by the prestigious SKYTRAX World Airport
Awards 2022 at the global event Passenger Terminal Expo in Paris, France. The airport has
also retained its title as the “Best Airport in the Middle East” for the eighth year in a row.
The rankings were based on voting submitted by air travellers and passenger satisfaction
across 39 key performance indicators for airport services and products including check-in,
arrivals, transfers, shopping, security, immigration, and departure. HIA was announced the
Number 1 airport amongst 550 other global airports.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport,
said: “We are thrilled that Qatar’s main gateway to the world has once again been named
the world`s best airport at the SKYTRAX 2022 World Airport Awards – adding another
milestone achievement to HIA’s history. Our commitment and service excellence continues
to be a benchmark in the aviation industry thanks to our staff and stakeholder’s
commitment and dedication – as we all look forward towards an even brighter year ahead.”
The official airport partner of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ witnessed a promising start
of the year – welcoming a total of 7.14 million passengers in the first quarter alone.
HIA introduced three new passenger destinations to make the total number of destinations
served by the airport at 156, while also partnering with more than 36 airline partners.
Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “We are delighted to announce that Hamad International
Airport has been voted the World’s Best Airport for 2022, repeating their success of 2021.
Our congratulations go to the Management, staff and stakeholders at Hamad International
Airport who have all contributed to this achievement for the second year running. Whilst
airports worldwide continued to be impacted by the pandemic throughout 2021, Hamad
International Airport served 17.1 million passengers in 2021 and continued with its
expansion plans. As the Official Airport Partner for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 we wish
Hamad International Airport every success in helping to host this major event.”
As the State of Qatar prepares to welcome the world for the upcoming FIFA World Cup
Qatar 2022™, HIA is at the epicentre of all the ongoing preparations. The airport’s phase A
expansion is well underway, as the capacity is set to increase to over 58 million passengers.
HIA’s phase B expansion will then begin in early 2023 and will boost the capacity to over 60
million passengers. Working with FIFA’s organizational committee to provide hundreds of
thousands of tourists and new visitors a safe, pleasant and trouble-free experience, the
two-time SKYTRAX #1 airport promises travellers a journey like no other.
HIA’s top priority remains in ensuring a safe and enjoyable passenger experience, with a
decreased waiting time at all airport touchpoints, as well as staying up to date with cutting-
edge technology and automation tools.
Meanwhile has the Qatar Airways Group announced record profits for last year.
As the Qatar Airways Group celebrates its milestone 25th Anniversary year of operation it has posted its strongest financial performance reflected in its published annual report for 2021/22, 200 per cent above its highest annual historical profit.
In the most difficult period ever in the global airline industry, the airline credits its positive results to its agility and successful strategy which continued to focus on customer needs and evolving market opportunities, as well as efficiency and the commitment of its worldwide employees. This profit is not only a record for Qatar Airways Group, but also a record among all other airlines that have published financial results for this financial year worldwide.
Qatar Airways Group reported a record net profit of QAR 5.6 billion (US$ 1.54 billion) during the fiscal year 2021/22. Overall revenue increased to QAR 52.3 billion (US$ 14.4 billion), up 78 per cent compared to last year and a remarkable two per cent higher than the full financial year pre-COVID (i.e., 2019/20). Passenger revenue increased by 210 per cent over the last year, due to the growth of the Qatar Airways network, increase in market share and higher unit revenue, for the second financial year in a row. Qatar Airways carried 18.5 million passengers, an increase of 218 per cent over last year.
Qatar Airways Cargo remained the leading player in the world as its revenue experienced an impressive growth of 25 per cent over last year with the growth in cargo capacity (Available Tonne Kilometres) of 25 per cent annually.
The Group generated strong EBITDA Margin of 34 per cent at QAR 17.7 billion (US$ 4.9 billion). EBITDA was higher than the previous year by QAR 11.8 billion (US$ 3.2 billion) due to streamlined, agile and fit-for-purpose operations across all business areas. These record earnings are the result of decisions made during the pandemic to expand the Qatar Airways’ passenger and cargo networks, with a more accurate forecast of the global market recovery, building further customer and trade loyalty and product excellence combined with strong cost control.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the national carrier of the State of Qatar grew to more than 140 destinations in 2021/22, opening new routes including Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Lusaka, Zambia; Harare, Zimbabwe; Almaty, Kazakhstan and Kano and Port Harcourt, Nigeria in addition to resuming flights to key markets across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The company has operated continuously the largest network among all Middle Eastern airlines, as measured by number or destinations as well as weekly flights.
Minister of state for Energy and Qatar Airways Group Chairman, His Excellency Mr. Saad Bin Sharida Al-Kaabi, said: “Qatar Airways Group has demonstrated a robust role in the aviation industry, and these financial results are a clear indication of the Group’s strong performance. Against challenges during the previous period, I am delighted by the achievements that have been accomplished this year and by the way the Group has swiftly responded to these challenges.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “This year Qatar Airways Group celebrates a quarter of a century of history since its relaunch, whilst maintaining strong performance and growing profitability. Our commitment to providing the greatest choices to our passengers, maintaining the highest levels of safety in the industry and earning trust have made us proudly become the airline of choice for millions of travellers around the world. We have pursued every business opportunity and left no stone unturned as we aimed to meet our targets.”
In 2021, we grew significantly to become the world’s largest global long-haul carrier in 2021 by RPKs. We also received the industry’s most prestigious accolade ‘Airline of the Year’ for a record-breaking sixth time in the Skytrax World Airline Awards in addition to recognition for the airline’s hub, Hamad International Airport as ‘Best Airport in the World’ 2021. The Qatar Airways Cargo division also earned three major industry awards including Cargo Operator of the Year at the ATW Airline Awards; Cargo Airline of the Year, and Air Cargo Industry Achievement Award at Air Cargo Week’s World Air Cargo Awards. These achievements not only highlight our exceptional brand reputation but also our outstanding hard work across the Qatar Airways Group family.
I am extremely proud of the decisions we have made to embrace efficiency and achieve strong cost control across several operational departments whilst engaging in environmental and sustainable initiatives. This has positioned us at the forefront in the field of sustainability, including environmental protection and social commitment. Our strategic investments in a varied fleet of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft has helped us overcome the significant challenges related to capacity constraints while balancing commercial needs as swiftly as possible.’
Throughout this year, the Qatar Airways Group maintained a highly-successful and wealthy portfolio of regional and global partnerships to champion the brand across the world including global sporting clubs – Al Sadd SC, Boca Juniors, Brooklyn Nets, FC Bayern München, and Paris Saint-Germain, the partnership with the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and FIFA. The group also continued to showcase its unwavering commitment to giving back and supporting communities and charitable initiatives throughout 2021/22. Alongside this, Qatar Airways Group is constantly setting new milestones on environmental sustainability for the aviation industry, and recently released its Sustainability Report 2021 to highlight key initiatives and the Group’s commitment towards the environment and sustainability.
Against the backdrop of the pandemic disruption, Qatar Airways Cargo transported more than 3 million tonnes of air freight and securing eight per cent share in the global market. Cargo also transported more than 600 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines over the course of the pandemic to date and also concentrated its efforts in enhancing its renowned Pharma product and industry presence, while also ensuring commitment to its ground-breaking WeQare initiative, which consists of a series of positive and impactful actions in the form of chapters based on the core pillars of sustainability – environment, society, economy and culture.
As the world continues its recovery from the devastating impact of COVID-19, Qatar Airways remains committed to keeping passengers and cargo moving across the globe, maintaining and building on the exceptional standards of our first 25 years of operation, that has earnt us the accolade of being the Best Airline in the World.
Please find below the Qatar Airways Group Consolidated Financial Statement:Qatar Airways Group Consolidated Financial Statement 2021/22
Please find below the Qatar Airways Group Annual Report:Qatar Airways Group Annual Report Fiscal 2021/22
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).
Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 150 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, the ‘World’s Best Airport’.
