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Jan 10 2012

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The essence of Jet-Setting

In the short time since its launch, Qatar Executive has doubled its wholly owned all-Bombardier fleet, and today operates six corporate jets with an average age of just one year - the youngest fleet of business aircraft in the Gulf.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker in an interview to Qatar Today stresses that "there is a strong need for corporations to conduct face to face business meetings in the shortest possible time, so rapid travel options are a key enabler of effective time management."

Onboard the three Challenger 605s, two Global 5000s and an ultra-long haul Global Express XRS - one of the most luxurious business jets available in the sky - passengers can fully immerse into the ultimate Qatar Executive experience.

Speaking about the fleet, he says, "The Bombardier business jets we have chosen help us deliver on our promise; to ensure a safe, reliable and more efficient way for corporate or private travel anywhere in the world: To fly in a class of your own!"

What has been the growth of Qatar Executive in the last couple of years?

In the two years since our inception, Qatar Executive has rapidly become a lucrative business that has evolved into a world-class aviation company backed by the global expertise and track record of award-winning Qatar Airways .

We have been very successful offering our own dedicated fleet without limitations to a growing roster of brokers and private clients.

Another benefit fuelling our success is the support from Qatar Airways with its operational expertise and global network.

Of all the Gulf-based scheduled airlines, Qatar Airways is the only one with a dedicated business jet subsidiary.

While Qatar Executive's core business is aircraft charter, a full suite of services is also available, ranging from aircraft management, business jet maintenance, and FBO services (Fixed-Based Operation, i.e. Corporate Jet Terminal), such as fuel arrangements, aircraft cleaning and hangarage.

How would you describe your clientele? Are they primarily from the private sector or from government sectors?

Qatar Executive serves a diverse range of customers. We cater to Executives and Board Members of larger corporations who have to reach remote and sometimes multiple destinations in the shortest amount of time, to private high-net worth individuals who invite their family and friends to spend an unforgettable break in luxury resorts in places such as the Maldives or Mauritius. Our modern business jets with satellite telephone and internet are also popular among government delegations and politicians as we offer VIP safety and security, as well as absolute discretion.

Chartered services for larger aircraft are also available, commonly used for groups such as sporting teams who need to travel for multiple competitions.

All charter arrangements can be made through premium travel brokers or through Qatar Executive directly.

Is the demand from Qatar alone, or extends to the region as well?

Qatar Executive is committed to the Qatari and Middle Eastern leisure and business travel community.

Doha, as our hub, is perfectly geographically located and a good base for long range aircraft like our Global jets, as we can reach most destinations across the world nonstop from Qatar. Our aircraft have a capability of flying up to 12 hours non-stop across continents including Europe, Africa, Asia and even Australia.

For Qatar Airways ' First and Business Class passengers there is a natural synergy to transfer customers onto our business jet aircraft to their final destinations, which in many cases are not served by scheduled airlines. This is a market we are increasingly pursuing.

What are the most common reasons why corporate/individuals charter your jet?

Business aviation is the best tool to 'buy' time.

Qatar Executive enables the corporate traveller to book an aircraft in as little as four hours before departure and check-in only 10 minutes prior to take-off.

As an example, you can have a meeting in Dubai in the morning, have a business lunch in Kuwait and be back for dinner with the family in Qatar in the evening.

The time-saving aspect is paired with superior levels of comfort, privacy and safety - no other means of travel is so exclusively tailored to customer's individual needs, timing and requirements as the experience of flying in a corporate jet.

In these times of recession, cutbacks and austerity measures, where companies are looking into travel expenses of their senior management/executives, what would be the lure of private jets?

As mentioned earlier, the time-saving factor which translates directly into higher productivity of senior executives usually the driver behind a company's decision to charter a business jet.

No travel time is wasted at busy airports and business delegations can make optimal use of their flying time through either arriving well-rested at their final destination or through working throughout their journey as all our corporate jets are equipped with the latest high-speed connectivity capabilities making them a true 'office in the sky'.

Business aviation is often associated with luxury or even decadence, but there are tangible benefits for companies, especially during periods of recession, which increase the demand for business jets.

High powered meetings addressing confidential mergers and executive briefings, for example, create time pressures, making the business jet a useful tool for corporate executives who have to drive vitally important decisions in the best interests of their companies.

What are the expansion plans are in place for Qatar Executive? Could you talk a bit about how this business will be developed over the next decade?

Forging ahead to meet the growing demand for business jet services in the Middle East and globally, Qatar Executive is in the midst of a major strategic expansion in order to widen its reach into Europe, the US and other emerging markets such as Russia, Africa, China, South East Asia and India, to become a truly global player.

It is a bit early to outline these plans in detail, but we have exciting projects in the pipeline to capitalise on the growing economies around the world.

To further maximise our growth potential, Qatar Executive will continue to significantly invest in infrastructure, such as our dedicated 6,400 square metre hangar at Doha International Airport.

The facility for maintenance operations serves Qatar Executive as well as other private jet operators, and has been recognised by Bombardier as an Approved Service Facility.

Qatar Executive Maintenance Operation can also serve other Bombardier aircraft coming to Doha.

At the same time, work is underway to create Qatar Executive's new Fixed Based Operation at the New Doha International Airport, which is set to open in 2012.

In which region do you see most growth, outside of Qatar?

Private jets are growing in demand, particularly in Asia, Russia and West Africa, where there is an increase in the number of high net-worth individuals, or where natural resources in remote areas increasingly require corporate travel.

Many global companies face difficulties reaching production sites in remote areas using scheduled airlines, therefore require tailor-made travel options, which inevitably means executives getting to their final destination quicker and hassle-free.

What are the measures taken to minimise the carbon footprint of Qatar Executive?

Similar to our parent company Qatar Airways , we take corporate social responsibility very seriously. All our aircraft are brand new and equipped with the latest technology, making them as fuel-efficient and minimising the amount of carbon pollution.

© Qatar Today 2012