As the winter travel season approaches, Qatar Airways is positioning itself for a significant expansion, despite a year marked by regional disruptions. During a behind-the-scenes tour at Hamad International Airport in Doha, CEO Hamad Ali Al-Khater outlined the airline's recovery and its ambitious growth plans, which include new aircraft, a revamped business class, and a broader European network.
Al-Khater told journalists that passenger numbers have rebounded to roughly 90-95% of last year's levels, with the Doha hub now handling more than 140,000 passengers daily. The return of international carriers, including British Airways' daily flights from London Heathrow, signals a steady recovery. The airline had to adapt operations after temporary suspensions in February and ongoing airspace closures, rerouting some flights southward to maintain connectivity.
New aircraft and a next-generation Qsuite
Looking ahead, Qatar Airways expects to take delivery of new long-range aircraft by the end of the year, featuring a fresh cabin configuration. Al-Khater explained that these jets will allow the carrier to "reach destinations further away than our existing narrow-body aircraft can serve," opening up opportunities to serve secondary airports that were previously uneconomical. Over the next five years, the airline plans to add 138 new aircraft to its fleet.
Travellers can also anticipate a new generation of the airline's acclaimed Qsuite business class product, slated for unveiling in summer 2027. The current Qsuite has been a differentiator for the Gulf carrier, and the upgrade is expected to set new standards in premium travel.
Winter schedule expansion across Europe
For the 2026-2027 winter season, Qatar Airways will expand its network to over 170 destinations, with 186 weekly flights across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. In Europe, the airline will increase its London Heathrow service from 49 to 56 weekly flights starting 25 October, and Frankfurt flights will rise from 18 to 21 weekly from 7 December.
Ali AlSaadi, chief maintenance, repair and overhaul officer, emphasized that winter preparation is routine for the airline. "We understand that the traffic pressure will increase during this time, so we ensure that our aircraft need to be utilised to the highest level," he said. The carrier's extensive MRO centre in Doha is already conducting pre-winter maintenance, including the rollout of Starlink connectivity across its fleet. In August, Qatar Airways became the first airline to operate a Starlink-equipped Boeing 787-9, and now 150 widebody aircraft—83% of its connectivity goal—are fitted with the high-speed internet service.
The airline has also been expanding its network beyond Europe. In July, it launched four weekly flights to Helsinki, Finland, quickly increasing to seven by August. It also began services to Bogotá, Colombia, and Caracas, Venezuela, making it the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela and the first airline to connect the Middle East with those two South American capitals.
At Hamad International Airport's integrated operations centre, teams monitor flight movements and cabin conditions in real time. The facility also houses a workshop where up to 80 engines are serviced at any given time, with each engine costing between $20-40 million (€17.2-34.4 million) and a single blade around $250,000 (€215,000). The region's sandy climate poses a particular challenge, as sand can tarnish blades and reduce efficiency.
Qatar Airways' resilience is part of a broader Gulf aviation trend, as carriers adapt to geopolitical shifts. The airline is also exploring partnerships to ease pressure on its network, a strategy that may become more critical as regional tensions persist. For European travellers, the expanded winter schedule offers more options and connectivity, reinforcing Doha's role as a key transit hub.
