One place for fresh news information based on Qatar and World Cup 2022
As the date of the much-awaited FIFA World Cup is approaching, more arrangements between governments and airlines are arising in order to make the trip easier and more comfortable for visitors.
Some of the leading UAE-based private jet operators have announced special flights to Doha during the matches between November and December. UAE’s Al-Futtaim and Stuttgart-based DC Aviation agreed to cooperate as DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) to provide the possibility of taking a private jet to the Qatari capital for the spectators, instead of a regular airline flight.
DC Aviation Al-Futtaim will offer special charter flights from Dubai to Doha for football fans. The company said in a statement, “The round-trip flights to the biggest sporting spectacle in the world which starts on November 21 offer UAE-based fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their favorite team in action”. These types of flights provide UAE-based fans an alternative way to travel with experiencing all the excitement and pleasure that such a journey should bring. Groups of friends, families, individuals, or corporates aiming to entertain their VIP clients and partners take advantage of these unique charter flights from DCAF.
The negative side of this high interest in the tournament is that flight tickets from the United Arab Emirates to Qatar have skyrocketed, with an estimation of economy class airfares increasing by about 1,900%. According to the UAE’s Khaleej Times, airline data shows that a one-way economy class trip that used to cost around 360 QAR on Mat 25 is predicted to costs around 7,070 QAR on November 20, a day before the great tournament starts.
What makes the investment worthy is the 1,300 sqm of the exclusive lounge area, providing fans with the finest levels of luxury and privacy and bathing rooms, spacious conference room, and other amenities. Considering that around 1.5 million people are expected to attend the upcoming football event according to World Cup organizers, DCAF won’t be the only company offering these services, as Jetex, another Dubai-based private jet service, has received many requests from wishful customers. Due to the boost in demand, airlines have significantly increased their flight prices to Qatar during the tournament dates. One-way rates on Qatar Airways from Argentina to Doha from February to November 20th will outstrip 17,000 QAR while tickets from England had risen to 5,000 QAR. It is clear that state-owned Qatar Airways are likely to benefit the most from this happening, although they increased capacity in crucial sectors.
During an online interview last week, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said, “There is a huge interest from other airlines to operate both scheduled and charter flights during the FIFA World Cup into Doha”. In order to be up to the challenge of welcoming that big number of fans, Qatar has renovated its older airport, which served as the country’s commercial international flight hub until the opening of Hamad International in 2014. United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreed to create brand-new airspace for Qatar. During crowded regional aviation traffic, the ICAO is likely to offer the country operational control.
