Oneworld alliance partners Finnair and Qatar Airways have entered into a new long-term strategic cooperation on Nordic-Arabia flights between Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen, and Doha.
The arrangement will see the airlines cooperate on a comprehensive codeshare agreement on passenger and cargo capacity, expected to launch just ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup kick-off in the Qatari capital.
Finnair and Qatar Airways are exploring opening services also between another European destination and Doha.
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Customers from the three Nordic cities will benefit from seamless connections via Doha to Qatar Airways’ extensive network of around 100 destinations across Australasia, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The collaboration will also open new destinations and connection opportunities across Finnair’s Nordic network for Qatar Airways’ customers.
The services are planned to start between November and December 2022. They will be operated with Finnair’s Airbus A330 aircraft featuring Finnair’s new long-haul cabins, including industry-leading Air Lounge business class seats, a brand-new premium economy travel class and refreshed economy class.
The daily flights to and from Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen to Doha will be sold and marketed by both airlines.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive said: “As a fellow oneworld member, we enjoy a close relationship with Finnair and these new services to Hamad International Airport are an example of Qatar Airways working with partners for the benefit of our joint customers.
“This strategic partnership demonstrates our commitment to the Nordic markets and strengthens our position as the leading Middle East carrier in this important region. This partnership will be the foundation for the future expansion here.”
Al Baker said with this codeshare agreement, travellers from the Nordics will continue to have excellent connectivity to Doha with Finnair and onwards with Qatar Airways to attractive leisure and key business destinations across Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Middle East.
Topi Manner, Finnair CEO said: “We are delighted to expand our collaboration with our oneworld partner Qatar Airways, offering new connections between Doha and the three Nordic capitals.
“The role of Doha as an international hub is growing, and Qatar Airways has extensive connections from Doha onwards to for example Australasia, the Middle East and Africa,” Manner added.