Qatar Airways has expanded its codeshare agreements with its Oneworld partners Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines.
The Gulf carrier and Cathay first began codesharing a year ago in a deal covering services from Hong Kong to Europe, Africa and the Gulf, and from Doha to Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Japan (see news, April 2014).
The expanded agreement will now see the two airlines codeshare on its Doha-Muscat and Doha–Sao Paulo routes, enhancing connectivity for passengers travelling onwards to Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Japan.
In addition, Qatar Airways has announced 24 new domestic codeshare routes with Japan Airlines. The flights will be operated solely out of Tokyo Haneda, athough the Gulf airline does also serve flights to Osaka and Tokyo Narita.
The new codeshare destinations are Tokyo Haneda to Kagoshima, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, Kita Kyushu, Okayama, Nagasaki, Matsuyama, Komatsu, Takamatsu, Oita, Hakodate, Kochi, Tokushima, Akita, Miyazaki, Ube, Izumo, Aomori, Asahikawa, Obihiro, Amami O Shima, Memambetsu, Kushiro and Misawa.
Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines last announced new codeshare routes in summer 2014 (see news, June 2014).
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO, said: "Becoming a member of Oneworld in October 2013 was a significant landmark in Qatar Airways' relatively young history, enabling us to strengthen our competitive offering.
"The joining of this alliance, and the addition of these new codeshares, enables our passengers to avail of additional travel options, with ease, across routes that encompass the entire globe."
In other news, Qatar Airways will also be boosting the number of flights it makes to Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali) from July 5 and 16 respectively. According to the airline, the frequency upgrade is due to increasing demand on these two routes.
There will be three additional weekly flights to the Indonesian capital, which will raise the total frequency to 21, effectively making this a thrice-daily service.
Doha–Jakarta additional flights
Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays
Departure in Doha QR958 at 1315, arriving in Jakarta at 0230 (next day)
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Departure from Jakarta QR959 at 0430, arriving in Doha at 0855
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways will commence a double-daily operation to Denpasar, currently served daily by flights QR962/963. This will be expanded this July.
Doha–Denpasar (Bali) additional daily flight
Departure in Doha QR960 at 0800, arriving in Denpasar at 2245
Departure from Denpasar QR961 at 0020, arriving in Doha at 0430.
Clement Huang
