Behind Qatar Airways' winter preparations: recovery, new jets and route expansion
Qatar Airways says passenger numbers have recovered to 90-95% of last year's levels as it prepares an expanded winter schedule following months of regional disruption. The airline is also set to receive new long-range aircraft and add 138 planes to its fleet over five years.
Qatar Airways is gearing up for a busy winter travel season while charting its next phase of growth, following months of regional disruption that included a temporary suspension of flights in February. Group CEO Hamad Ali Al-Khater said passenger numbers have recovered to around 90-95% of last year's levels, with Hamad International Airport now handling more than 140,000 passengers daily as international carriers gradually return to Doha, including British Airways, which resumed daily direct flights from London Heathrow this month.
Fleet growth and a new business class
By the end of the year, the airline expects to receive new long-range aircraft with an updated cabin configuration, enabling it to reach farther destinations, including smaller secondary airports that were previously difficult to serve economically. Over the next five years, 138 new aircraft are set to join the fleet, and a new generation of the airline's Qsuite business class product is expected to launch in summer 2027.
Winter network expansion
For the 2026-2027 winter season, Qatar Airways will grow its global network to more than 170 destinations, offering 186 weekly flights across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East. Weekly flights to London Heathrow will rise from 49 to 56 starting 25 October, while Frankfurt services increase from 18 to 21 weekly flights from 7 December. Earlier this year, the carrier also launched flights to Helsinki, Bogotá and Caracas, becoming the first Gulf airline to serve Venezuela.
Maintenance and crisis response
The airline's maintenance centre keeps as many as 80 engines in service at any time, addressing sand damage common in the region's climate. Following the February airspace closure, which stranded 8,000 passengers in Doha and 8,400 more across its network, a passenger support centre was activated. Airline officials said a key advantage in managing the crisis was that Qatar Airways operates as an integrated group, running the airport, the airline and ground handling services together.
