MAB and Qatar Airways deepen pact to offer value-added services

Malaysia Airlines (MAB) and Qatar Airways have inked a strategic partnership to offer more access for passengers to travel to new destinations beyond their individual networks while offering new and exclusive products to their customers soon.

MAB's passengers will have seamless connectivity to popular destinations in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and the Americas with Qatar Airways' extensive network via Doha. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways' passengers will gain better access to the wider domestic Malaysia market and key destinations in Asia. They include Penang, Langkawi, and Medan operated by MAB via its hub in KLIA. Both parties have also agreed to double down on other areas of the business such as air cargo, operations or commercial services.

MAB and Qatar Airways launched their codeshare cooperation in 2004 and have significantly expanded the partnership in recent years. The partnership currently has 62 codeshare destinations in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, ANZ, Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. A+M has reached out to MAB for additional information on whether the strategic partnership will involve joint marketing campaigns.

Izham Ismail, group CEO of MAB, said the strategic partnership is an important part of its long-term businses plan, as it explores more strategic opportunities and establish deeper partnerships.

"We believe the strategic partnership will put both full-service carriers on a stronger footing to compete in the highly competitive market as we continue to navigate recovery of the pandemic. With the reopening of international borders and an increase in the demand for air travel," he added.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said the partnership will serve to link both their networks and allow them to work together across different aspects of the business therefore creating exciting opportunities for its joint passengers as well as for its airlines.

"As we move forwards a post-pandemic world, successful business is driven by strong partnerships, and this close cooperation with Malaysia Airlines is a firm example of how symbiotic international partnerships can pave way to industry recovery. Providing customers access to the most extensive route network with unrivalled service and seamless connections," he added.

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