Qatar Airways reports strong growth in overall revenue for 2018-19, up by 14%

Group financial results demonstrate underlining robust financial health

DOHA: Qatar Airways has published its annual report for 2018-19, highlighting the airline group’s success and underlying robust financial health in the face of the continued illegal airspace blockade against the State of Qatar.

Overall revenue and other operating income grew by 14 per cent annually. Passenger revenue grew by 14.3 percent with capacity (Available Seat Kilometers) growth of 13.5 per cent. Cargo revenue witnessed growth of 16.8 per cent with cargo capacity (Available Ton Kilometers) growing 11.8 per cent annually. Executive jet revenue also witnessed substantial growth of 18.4 per cent in comparison to previous year.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar AlBaker said: “2018-19 was a year of achievement in the face of adversity for Qatar Airways. Despite facing challenges that are unparalleled in the airline industry, I am very proud that we have grown our fleet, expanded our network and seen overall revenue increase to QAR 48 billion ($13.2 billion), a rise of 14 percent. Passenger numbers are up, capacity as measured by available seat kilometers has risen and our Cargo business is now the largest in the world.

“2018-19 was nonetheless a challenging year and while it is disappointing that Group has registered a net loss of QAR 2.3 billion ($639 million) - attributable to the loss of mature routes, higher fuel costs and foreign exchange fluctuations - the underlying fundamentals of our business remain extremely robust.

“Our success is due to an unwavering belief in our strategy to give our passengers the very best, backed by the perseverance and hard work of our staff. I look forward to 2019-2020 with optimism and confidence that our growth will continue and we will serve even more countries around the world.”

The airline launched 11 new destinations during the fiscal year 2019 and has now added a total of 31 (as at 1 September 2019) since the start of the illegal blockade, growing its network to over 160 gateways around the world.

The airline’s fleet grew by 25 aircraft to a point where it welcomed its 250th aircraft in March 2019. With more than 300 aircraft worth more than $85 billion on order (including options and Letters of Intent) the group has the capacity to continue its ambitious but sustainable network expansion strategy. During the financial year, the Group further built its investment portfolio by acquiring five percent of the total issued share capital of China Southern Airlines. This shareholding sits alongside its existing holdings in airlines such as Air Italy, Cathay Pacific, IAG, JetSuite and LATAM.

Overall, QR Group invested QAR 16.1 billion ($4.4 billion) in acquisition of aircraft and other assets as well as acquisition of shares of international airlines during the year.

2018-19 was also a year where the airline won dozens of awards, including the ‘Skytrax ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Airline In The Middle East’, Trip Advisor’s ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and Business Travellers’ ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’, ‘Best Business Class’, among many others.

Qatar Airways Group’s sponsorship with FIFA remained the core of its sponsorship portfolio and 2018 produced the undoubted highlight of the sporting calendar at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Alongside the addition of multi-year partnerships with Bayern Munchen AG, AS Roma, Boca Juniors and the Brooklyn Nets, sports sponsorships remain a key pillar to augment the airline’s commitment to bring people and communities together from across the globe.