Behind the scenes at Qatar Airways: An inside look at passenger numbers, new aircraft and winter schedules

Qatar Airways Runs Into Winter Success: Fleet Expansion, New Routes, and Strengthened Operations

Qatar Airways is gearing up for the demanding winter travel period and outlines its next phase of growth. In the wake of months of regional disruptions—including the temporary suspension of flights in February—the Doha‑based carrier has adjusted its operations to sustain passenger services, broaden its route network, and stay resilient.

During a behind‑the‑scenes tour of Hamad International Airport, Chief Executive Officer Hamad Ali Al‑Khater noted that “passenger numbers have rebounded to roughly 90‑95 % of last year’s figures,” while Hamad International now processes upwards of 140 000 passengers per day as international carriers resume arrivals to Doha. This resurgence includes British Airways, which relaunched daily direct flights from London Heathrow to the capital earlier this month.

The discussion took place in the airport’s operational overview centre, where staff described how Qatar Airways managed continuity amidst regional tensions and prepared for the upcoming winter rush.

Looking ahead, Al‑Khater explained that the airline will receive new long‑range aircraft by year‑end featuring refreshed cabin configurations capable of serving destinations beyond the reach of current narrow‑body fleets.

This expansion will open access to additional cities and secondary airports that were previously difficult to serve economically.

In the next five years, 138 new aircraft are scheduled to join the Qatar Airways family. Travellers can anticipate the introduction of an updated generation of the QSuite business‑class experience, slated for unveiling in summer 2027.

What’s on the horizon for QR’s winter schedule?

For the 2026‑2027 winter term, Qatar Airways aims to extend its global network to over 170 destinations, with 186 weekly flights planned across Africa, Asia‑Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.

In Europe, the carrier will raise its London Heads‑to‑Headroom service from 49 to 56 weekly departures starting 25 October, while flights to Frankfurt will rise from 18 to 21 per week from 7 December.

“As part of winter preparation, we approach increased traffic with a focus on maximising aircraft utilisation,” explained Ali AlSaadi, chief maintenance, repair and overhaul officer.

The airline’s extensive MRO centre oversees fleet testing, enhancements, and technical upgrades, including the integration of Starlink connectivity. In August, Qatar Airways became the inaugural operator of a Starlink‑equipped Boeing 787‑9, now boasting 150 widebodies fitted with the service to meet 83 % of its connectivity goals.

“In addition to the new winter schedule, Qatar Airways also announced earlier this year that it would operate four weekly flights to Helsinki, Finland, starting from July and expanding to seven flights by August.”

The carrier also expanded its South American network in July, launching flights to Bogotá, Colombia, and Caracas, Venezuela—making it the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela and the first airline linking the Middle East with those cities.

Inside operations at Hamad International Airport

The integrated operation centre provided deeper insight into how Qatar Airways adapted its flight programmes and navigation services amid ongoing disruptions.

Prior to heightened regional tensions, the Doha hub relied on direct east‑west corridors; with airspace closures forcing several routes southward, the airline maintained access to key markets.

Qatar Airways is actively exploring partnership options to create new operating space, easing pressure on its core network.

The centre delivers a real‑time, live view of day‑to‑day operations, allowing teams to track flight movements and cabin environmental conditions such as temperature.

An airport workshop houses up to 80 engines at a time, subjected to sand removal to prevent blade damage—a costly challenge given that a single engine can exceed $20‑40 million in replacement value.

Following the national airspace closure on 28 February, a dedicated passenger support centre was activated, assisting 8 000 stranded travelling in Doha and an additional 8 400 passengers across the carrier’s network.

To illustrate resilience, Abdulla Ali, chief operating officer at Qatar Airways, shared: “What made a massive difference… was that Qatar Airways is not just an airline—we are the airport operator, the airline, and the ground handler.”

Looking forward to the winter, Ali stressed that despite ongoing regional crises, the lessons learned from past disruptions—including COVID‑19—keep the carrier firmly positioned for efficient operations.

“I hope that this space remains,” he said regarding the passenger support centre’s permanence in the airport. “Part of our contingency plans mean we will always need such a department. However, this space can also serve other functions, because at the end of the day, this is a service.”

“Regardless if there is a crisis or not, we are always going to want efficient operations, provide the best customer service. How we manoeuvre and become agile will always remain.”

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