Cardiff: Qatar Airways, will it return?

[Em0866]

I wonder how his departure from the airline will affect the resumption of the airline at Cardiff. We'll have to wait and see.

Qatar Airways longtime CEO Akbar Al Baker to resign | CNN Business

Akbar Al Baker is resigning as chief executive of Qatar Airways, marking a sudden end to one of the longest managerial reigns in the world of aviation.

amp.cnn.com

 

[Jetsco]

I wonder how his departure from the airline will affect the resumption of the airline at Cardiff. We'll have to wait and see.

Qatar Airways longtime CEO Akbar Al Baker to resign | CNN Business

Akbar Al Baker is resigning as chief executive of Qatar Airways, marking a sudden end to one of the longest managerial reigns in the world of aviation.

amp.cnn.com

Cardiff S24 ACL initial coordination info will be published fairly soon. This may give a clue as to QR’s intentions or otherwise at CWL. As we know, airlines request slots but sometimes never use them. QR have already announced increased capacity at EDI, MAN and LHR for S24. BHX for now remains at 1 x daily on a 788. They are clearly bullish about demand to/from the UK. It’s a wait and see job for Cardiff.

 

[Jetsco]

A couple of contributors on other forums have commented that they believe QR could finally return to Cardiff, late spring 2024. Pure speculation of course, but it would be a good boost if this turns out to be correct. Qatar have applied for third daily slots at EDI. Hopefully this is a sign of more expansion in the UK.

 

[Jerry]

Finger's crossed CWL needs the good news!

 

[MrFenner]

This article gives even less hope of a return to CWL, unless of course there is more to come…

Qatar Airways Unveils 2024 Network Expansion including an Exciting Summer Schedule

 

[Jerry]

This article gives even less hope of a return to CWL, unless of course there is more to come…

Qatar Airways Unveils 2024 Network Expansion including an Exciting Summer Schedule

I don't expect we'll see them return until 2025 at the earliest and it might also depend on whether the new Welsh government is willing to offer a little help as well.

 

[BRSflyer]

I'd hazard a guess the A321neo deliveries would deliver an aircraft perfect for this route.

 

[Jerry]

I'd hazard a guess the A321neo deliveries would deliver an aircraft perfect for this route.

But kills any sort of cargo option that the airport needs.

 

[Jetsco]

But kills any sort of cargo option that the airport needs.

I think your point about incentives is spot on. Relationships is also very important. For example, It’s no secret that QR and EDI have a very good relationship built over time with some very attractive T&C’s. I never imagined I would ever see them potentially going 3 x daily from EDI.

 

[Jerry]

I think your point about incentives is spot on. Relationships is also very important. For example, It’s no secret that QR and EDI have a very good relationship built over time with some very attractive T&C’s. I never imagined I would ever see them potentially going 3 x daily from EDI.

Well it's no secret that their was a marketing deal between Qatar Airways and the previous Welsh government. I'd expect that the current one probably isn't as willing to provide one as the last but a future one might be more willing too.

 

[gulftraveller]

To be honest, this route has been off the agenda since its cancellation during COVID. QR have made positive noises but in this part of the world, people only say what they think will make you happy.

 

[Jerry]

To be honest, this route has been off the agenda since its cancellation during COVID. QR have made positive noises but in this part of the world, people only say what they think will make you happy.

Are you saying that you know for sure that the route won't return?

 

[gulftraveller]

No, not for certain. But I really doubt it and have heard nothing about CWL for some years at this end. This was an Al Baker project and he has now gone. If you look at the airline’s network, CWL was a bit of an anomaly. I have friends who used it to visit so I hope it will return. But I think Cardiff has more likely prospects.

 

[BRSflyer]

But kills any sort of cargo option that the airport needs.

But possibly the right aircraft for the passenger demand?

 

[Nigel B]

The cargo capacity is a big draw for the airline and airport. Passenger demand would grow in time.

 

[Jerry]

But possibly the right aircraft for the passenger demand?

Depends on the configuration of the cabin but cargo is an important part of the route for the airport and i'd expect for the Welsh government.

 

[Aviador]

If there is a move towards using A321 equipment does that also make a move to BRS more likely for a Southwest operation?

 

[Jerry]

If there is a move towards using A321 equipment does that also make a move to BRS more likely for a Southwest operation?

Yep it could do. They'd have to forget any sort of cargo on the route but I don't see cargo being a big factor with A321 anyway. Only thing that would limit any possibility is Qatars operational requirements when it came to runway length and what that would be for the A321.

 

[Aviador]

Yep it could do. They'd have to forget any sort of cargo on the route but I don't see cargo being a big factor with A321 anyway. Only thing that would limit any possibility is Qatars operational requirements when it came to runway length and what that would be for the A321.

Whichever airport they operate from in the future, the A321 doesn't necessarily mean no cargo ops. The aircraft can take cargo containers and a mixed class configuration with a reduced number of seats will enable better performance from smaller airports and airports with shorter runways such as Cardiff, Bristol and Leeds.

 

[gulftraveller]

I think Qatar’s strategy has changed somewhat. For a number of years UAE and Saudi were blockading Qatar and there was a political incentive to compete head on with Emirates, particularly in a key market such as UK. That no longer applies. I do not expect any new UK destinations in the near future even though a return to Cardiff was proposed and a new route to Belfast suggested, but never say never. I think that the A321LRs are likely to be used less for European routes and more for secondary Asian destinations.

If you look at Qatar’s European route network, flights to smaller UK airports just 50 or 60 miles from other destinations do not really fit. They have only just announced Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city.