Qatar Airways, one of the premier airlines servicing global destinations (London, Moscow, Shanghai, Singapore and more) connecting through Doha, is adding Houston to its route starting in March. Passengers traveling from one energy hub to the other will be able to do so daily on a nonstop 17-hour flight, rather than plane hopping as is currently the norm.

“We can’t be more pleased that Qatar chose Houston as a destination … We’re dynamic, the very first international city, and we are going to make it incredibly successful. Qatar is committed to making Houston successful; we’re just pleased and delighted,” said Kristian Anderson, Houston-based country manager for the southern United States with Qatar Airways.

“The natural synergy, the big catylst for this service, is the oil and gas business, because Doha and Houston are the two capitals in their different parts of the world. There was a natural synergy,” said Tony Hughes, senior vice president, Americas, Qatar Airways.

Like many other airlines, Qatar Airways is looking toward alternative sources of fuel for efficiency and environmental stewardship. While airlines such as Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Continental Airlines and Virgin Atlantic are experimenting with various biofuels blends, Qatar Airways is dedicated to exploring gas-to-liquids as a viable alternative fuel to jet fuel, which would make it the first gas-based fuel airlines.

“Qatar is home to the third-largest gas reserves. It is working in conjunction with Qatar Airways, with Shell, on how to leverage that and turn that into a more green-friendly-for-the-environment kind of travel for us,” said Rebecca Jelfo, marketing manager for Qatar Airways during a press conference yesterday. 

In a news release in fourth quarter 2008, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker expressed that the most sensitive issue facing the world is the need for increased environmental awareness and responsibility. That message has been carried into 2009.

“There is a huge movement lobbying for the reduction in carbon emissions to make for a cleaner and safer environment,” he said in the release. “Together with our partners, we will all work in close collaboration to study the use of synthetic jet fuels or GTL kerosene in our drive toward a cleaner and safer world. And we at Qatar Airways look onward to becoming the first airline in the world to power commercial aircraft with natural gas.”

Flight trials using GTL fuel will commence after the study’s completion with a consortium research group that will focus on the pros of the fuel’s use with emphasis on air quality improvement, reduced carbon emissions and fuel economy.

“Qatar Airways is already a major player in the International Air Transport Association’s ongoing fuel-saving campaign designed to reduce carbon emissions,” Al Baker said. 

 

 

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