Canada Jetlines is in discussions with Qatar Airways Group on a potential collaboration that could include non-stop flights between Toronto Pearson and Doha, home airport for QR.
If completed and approved by regulators, this would offer Canadian travellers access to Qatar Airways' extensive network via Doha to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent and across Asia.
"We are pleased to discuss potential opportunities with Qatar Airways, an international airline known for its world-class service and consistently recognized by the industry and consumers as the best airline in the world," said Eddy Doyle, President & CEO of Canada Jetlines.
"Qatar is not only a growing and exciting destination, it is also home to the world's best airport, Hamad International Airport, which provides seamless connectivity to Qatar Airways' superior global network."
The potential partnership could be a major coup for Canada Jetlines, which is currently trying to establish itself in an increasingly crowded Canadian marketplace.
Qatar Airways executive Rossen Dimitrov was recently named to the Canada Jetlines board. (Public)
Just a month ago, the carrier announced the appointment of Rossen Dimitrov to its Board of Directors. Dimitrov is currently Chief Officer Customer Experience at Qatar Airways and has held various senior executive and advisory roles in Canada and internationally including Chief Operating Officer at Air Italy, Chief Customer Experience Officer Air Italy, and Chief Guest Experience Officer at WestJet.
Qatar Airways was recently named 'Airline of the Year' for a seventh time at the 2022 World Airline Awards, presented by international aviation ratings organization Skytrax. It was also named 'World's Best Business Class', and 'Best Airline in the Middle East'. Hamad International Airport, the QR hub in Doha, was named "Best Airport in the World" for the second year in a row.
The current bilateral air travel agreement between Qatar and Canada allows for seven weekly flights. AC signed a codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways in November 2020, later launching three-times weekly scheduled flights to Qatar from YYZ. However, after two years of operation, Air Canada suspended the route last month, leaving no connectivity between Canada's largest city and Doha. Qatar Airways currently offers daily flights to Doha from Montreal.
In November 2022, Air Canada signed a codeshare agreement with Emirates, the same Middle East carrier that it had feuded with since 2009. Back then, AC complained that Emirates' expansion plans in Canada would allow the foreign carrier to compete unfairly against it and its Star Alliance partners such as Germany's Lufthansa.
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