OT: QR starting HEL
Oct 15, 2015, 1:27 am
#1
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OT: QR starting HEL
According to an interview with Finavia's CEO QR is starting in HEL. I certainly hope this is true.
You’re growing beyond your primary customer, Finnair, and attracting new airlines, like Qatar Airways. At the same time, you compete with Qatar’s own mega-hub, the newly built Hamad International Airport, for transfer traffic, just as your top customer, Finnair, competes with Qatar on routes to Asia. Do you plan to grow to compete with the world’s largest hubs?
http://skift.com/2015/10/12/intervie...or-the-future/
You’re growing beyond your primary customer, Finnair, and attracting new airlines, like Qatar Airways. At the same time, you compete with Qatar’s own mega-hub, the newly built Hamad International Airport, for transfer traffic, just as your top customer, Finnair, competes with Qatar on routes to Asia. Do you plan to grow to compete with the world’s largest hubs?
http://skift.com/2015/10/12/intervie...or-the-future/
Oct 15, 2015, 1:59 am
#2
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It seems CEO makes sure to answer in a way that does not confirm the question - but certainly is an interestingly put question.
QR in HEL would open up interesting ways to Australia, Africa and South America. It would also put some pressure on AY, not only prices ex-HEL but it would also challenge AY's self image as a quality airline.
QR in HEL would open up interesting ways to Australia, Africa and South America. It would also put some pressure on AY, not only prices ex-HEL but it would also challenge AY's self image as a quality airline.
Oct 15, 2015, 3:56 am
#3
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Originally Posted by CAPA
Helsinki is the largest unserved European market for Gulf airlines
Helsinki calculates it is the largest market in Europe that Gulf carriers do not serve. The lack of a single flight from Emirates, Etihad and Qatar contrasts to Copenhagen, which will be the first destination for Emirates’ 615-seat A380. Qatar Airways is responding to Emirates’ growth by increasing its frequencies. Overall, the Copenhagen-Gulf market will grow 43%.
Gulf carriers are hesitant about Helsinki – although they and Helsinki airport see a service as inevitable. They see Finns as having very strong loyalty to Finnair, as well as travel preferences to Northeast Asia and Thailand.
Helsinki-Northeast Asia connections are too circuitous via the Gulf. Southeast Asia is the signature market for Gulf carriers from Europe, but Gulf carriers reckon Finnair is holding a competitive enough position.
In peak periods Finnair has two flights a day (on average: 1.4 a day across the year) to Bangkok, as well as to Krabi and Phuket. Finnair also serves Dubai, which is a growing destination (and not just transfer point) for some Europeans.
When Qatar Airways was in discussions to join the oneworld alliance, it was only Finnair that persisted with reservations. Finnair was concerned about Gulf impacts on its Asian traffic, on which Finnair has effectively pinned its central strategy. Finnair was eventually placated and Qatar joined the alliance, so the continuing lack of Gulf presence in Helsinki provides some relief to Finnair. But Gulf carrier presences in Finnair's transfer markets nevertheless mean Finnair still feels their competitive impact.
Helsinki calculates it is the largest market in Europe that Gulf carriers do not serve. The lack of a single flight from Emirates, Etihad and Qatar contrasts to Copenhagen, which will be the first destination for Emirates’ 615-seat A380. Qatar Airways is responding to Emirates’ growth by increasing its frequencies. Overall, the Copenhagen-Gulf market will grow 43%.
Gulf carriers are hesitant about Helsinki – although they and Helsinki airport see a service as inevitable. They see Finns as having very strong loyalty to Finnair, as well as travel preferences to Northeast Asia and Thailand.
Helsinki-Northeast Asia connections are too circuitous via the Gulf. Southeast Asia is the signature market for Gulf carriers from Europe, but Gulf carriers reckon Finnair is holding a competitive enough position.
In peak periods Finnair has two flights a day (on average: 1.4 a day across the year) to Bangkok, as well as to Krabi and Phuket. Finnair also serves Dubai, which is a growing destination (and not just transfer point) for some Europeans.
When Qatar Airways was in discussions to join the oneworld alliance, it was only Finnair that persisted with reservations. Finnair was concerned about Gulf impacts on its Asian traffic, on which Finnair has effectively pinned its central strategy. Finnair was eventually placated and Qatar joined the alliance, so the continuing lack of Gulf presence in Helsinki provides some relief to Finnair. But Gulf carrier presences in Finnair's transfer markets nevertheless mean Finnair still feels their competitive impact.
Oct 15, 2015, 4:25 am
#5
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I don't think it was ever officially announced - it just came out of the mouth of Al Baker.
And as we all know, he's not the most reliable of sources. Most of what he says needs to be taken with a large dose of salt. (The day before the official announcement that QR was joining oneworld, he had been vehemently denying the rumour that such an announcement was imminent - he even said Qatar had "no plans" to join any alliance
(And of course, nothing has yet been announced/confirmed - even from the mouth of Al Baker! This is still mere speculation)
And as we all know, he's not the most reliable of sources. Most of what he says needs to be taken with a large dose of salt. (The day before the official announcement that QR was joining oneworld, he had been vehemently denying the rumour that such an announcement was imminent - he even said Qatar had "no plans" to join any alliance
(And of course, nothing has yet been announced/confirmed - even from the mouth of Al Baker! This is still mere speculation)
Last edited by irishguy28; Oct 15, 2015 at 4:30 am
Oct 15, 2015, 5:21 am
#6
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I don't think it was ever officially announced - it just came out of the mouth of Al Baker.
And as we all know, he's not the most reliable of sources. Most of what he says needs to be taken with a large dose of salt. (The day before the official announcement that QR was joining oneworld, he had been vehemently denying the rumour that such an announcement was imminent - he even said Qatar had "no plans" to join any alliance
(And of course, nothing has yet been announced/confirmed - even from the mouth of Al Baker! This is still mere speculation)
And as we all know, he's not the most reliable of sources. Most of what he says needs to be taken with a large dose of salt. (The day before the official announcement that QR was joining oneworld, he had been vehemently denying the rumour that such an announcement was imminent - he even said Qatar had "no plans" to join any alliance
(And of course, nothing has yet been announced/confirmed - even from the mouth of Al Baker! This is still mere speculation)
http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...lease_20111116
Oct 15, 2015, 6:13 am
#7
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Qatar Airways announces Helsinki officially on their website... in 2011
http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...lease_20111116
http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...lease_20111116
Oct 16, 2015, 6:19 am
#10
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It's just a matter of time.
The sooner Al Baker denies HEL is happening, the sooner it will start
"Speaking at the Dubai Air Show today, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker unveiled the new destinations"
@:-)As previously noted, Mr Al Baker's mouth is not a reliable source of information. Reports of his utterances should therefore be taken with a large dose of salt.
There was no further mention of Helsinki and no official route launch/commencement date announcement.
The sooner Al Baker denies HEL is happening, the sooner it will start
Qatar Airways announces Helsinki officially on their website... in 2011
http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...lease_20111116
http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...lease_20111116
@:-)As previously noted, Mr Al Baker's mouth is not a reliable source of information. Reports of his utterances should therefore be taken with a large dose of salt.
There was no further mention of Helsinki and no official route launch/commencement date announcement.
Apr 19, 2016, 10:08 am
#11
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First promotional email from Qatar Airways to Finnish people with link for current offers:
http://www.qatarairways.com/sites/en...al-offers.page
Flights from Helsinki launches 10th October 2016.
http://www.qatarairways.com/sites/en...al-offers.page
Flights from Helsinki launches 10th October 2016.
Apr 19, 2016, 10:21 am
#12
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Already saw package holiday ads on HS frontpage to S-E Asia, HEL-DOH-BKK//SGN-DOH-HEL - on QR obviously.
Looking at the promo prices in C - nothing to write home about (nothing I can't beat ex-EU with AY)
HKT, SGN 2,6k, BKK 2,2k, MEL 4k - really?
Wondering when the REAL promotions start.
Looking at the promo prices in C - nothing to write home about (nothing I can't beat ex-EU with AY)
HKT, SGN 2,6k, BKK 2,2k, MEL 4k - really?
Wondering when the REAL promotions start.
Apr 19, 2016, 11:34 am
#14
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http://www.britishairways.com/en-fi/...ing-avios.html
Apr 19, 2016, 12:03 pm
#15
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I'm really excited to have another long-haul carrier at HEL, great job of the airport to manage to get them here!
However, Qatar Airways is known for their bad treatment of their employees. Shouldn't be any surprise given the world cup scandals: http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/the-...qatar-airways/
However, Qatar Airways is known for their bad treatment of their employees. Shouldn't be any surprise given the world cup scandals: http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/the-...qatar-airways/