Qatar Airways rose from obscurity to become one of the world's top airlines in less than 20 years. Planes with the company's burgundy and gray oryx livery design now service airports in over 50 countries. Qatar Airways is also at the center of Qatar's largest-ever transportation development project---the New Doha Airport, set to open in 2011.
Qatar Airways, the flag carrier airline of Qatar, was established by the Qatari royal family in 1993 and made its maiden flight in early 2004. At the time, the airline did not own aircraft, and it leased planes from other carriers.
The airline was re-launched in 1997 with financial backing from the government of Qatar and private investors. Since the re-launch, the company has expanded at an average rate of 40 percent every year, as of 2009.
In October 2009, Qatar Airways completed the world's first flight using gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuel, which is produced from natural gas. As a country, Qatar is the world's third largest supplier of natural gas, second only to Russia and Iran.
Qatar Airways operates one of the newest fleets in the world, which the corporation posits as a major selling point. As of 2010, the carrier owned almost 70 aircraft from Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier, and had future orders for additional next-generation aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Like most major carriers, Qatar Airways uses aircraft from the Airbus A320 range (including the A319) for short-haul flights. However, the airline uses Boeing 777 jets exclusively for long-haul journeys after phasing out the wide-body Boeing 747.
Qatar Airways served almost 90 international destinations as of 2010, originating mainly from its hub at Doha International Airport. The airline flies to all six occupied continents, with the majority of its aircraft serving destinations throughout Asia.
Qatar Airways is one of only six carriers to receive a five-star rating from Skytrax, an independent aviation consultancy firm. Qatar Airways also won the "Best Cabin Staff" award from Skytrax from 2003 to 2009.
The airline is just one of many businesses operated from within the Qatar Airways corporation. Qatar Airways also operates cargo, shopping, catering, distribution, travel agent and media services. The company also owns Doha International Airport.
