Qatar Airways: Official Airline of the Journey Concludes a Sensational FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

The airline operated nearly 14,000 flights during the tournament, uniting fans for the world's greatest sporting show

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways, the Official Airline Partner of FIFA, concluded its FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ journey in style, presenting the medals and individual awards to Argentina after their historic 4-2 victory on penalties over 2018 champions, France. Following a thrilling month of non-stop action and entertainment, the airline operated nearly 14,000 flights, uniting the world in Qatar for the greatest sporting show on Earth.

As the Official Airline Partner of FIFA and the Official Airline of the Journey, Qatar Airways celebrated the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ with its global passengers through countless international, local, and onboard football-themed activations and entertainment experiences. The tournament was a resounding success, with impressive attendance figures of over 3.4 million fans throughout the 64 matches.

Throughout the duration of the tournament, the Qatar Airways Sky House, located at the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Al Bidda Park, welcomed more than 1.8 million fans. The iconic pavilion provided a range of interactive activities, including a Neymar challenge, Qverse experience, Swing the World, foosball, and face painting.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: "What started off as a dream has finally turned into reality. The State of Qatar succeeded in bringing the world together in a celebration of football and unity, and now history will remember this FIFA World Cup™ - the first in the Middle East, and the best edition ever. On behalf of the Qatar Airways Group, I would like to congratulate the Argentinian team for their victorious performance and also commend the French team for their inspiring journey throughout the tournament.

"We are grateful to have been a part of this long and rewarding experience as the Official Airline of the Journey. For every step and every mile travelled with us, we have aimed to deliver a flying experience like no other."

Qatar Airways concluded the tournament festivities with a partnership with the international artist, Lili Cantero. During the Final, Cantero live painted a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 aircraft model at the FIFA Fan Festival™. Cantero depicted key moments and highlights of the thrilling face-off between Argentina and France. At the intersection of arts and sports, her work portrays the story of the successfully delivered FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

To celebrate the beginning of the tournament, Qatar Airways launched its official FIFA World Cup™ campaign song, 'C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S', featuring the internationally renowned artists DJ Rodge and Cheb Khaled. In the span of a month, the highly-popular song reached an astonishing 23 million views.

Privilege Club, the Official Frequent Flyer Programme of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ welcomed over 67,000 new valued members across the tournament period, having successfully completed five different offer campaigns.

Qatar Airways offered all passengers flying through Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Doha International Airport (DIA) a complimentary experience at the Passenger Overflow Areas (POAs) - pre-departure waiting spaces, setting a new standard of excellence for international travel at sporting events. The POAs were built to provide fans with dedicated facilities, to complete their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ journey.

During the tournament, Qatar Duty Free (QDF), the Official Retail Store for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, exclusively sold FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ merchandise in the fan zones and at all of the eight spectacular stadiums. QDF also inaugurated the first FIFA store at HIA, showcasing an impressive collection of merchandise, souvenirs, collectibles and team jerseys.

Throughout the World Cup period, Qatar Airways and Qatar Executive also sponsored the Diego Armando Maradona Give&Get Fanfest to honour the late, great Diego Maradona, using state-of-the-art technology, public exhibits, events, auctions and more.

Besides the football, the airline also hosted seven Qatar Live concerts to engage audiences with performances from Jason Derulo, Enrique Iglesias, Black Eyed Peas, J Balvin, Robbie Williams, Tamer Hosny, and Akon. Alongside these world-renowned artists, Qatar Live also brought back the Daydream festival with a new stage - the Magic Lantern.

Hamad International Airport, ranked "Best Airport in the World" for the second year in a row by SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2022, unveiled a state-of-the-art 10,000-sqm, lush, tropical indoor garden named "The Orchard." Drenched in natural light and featuring sustainably sourced plants and shrubs, it offered a show-stopping, luxury shopping experience to fans with many first-of-a-kind retail outlets.

In 2017, Qatar Airways announced its partnership with FIFA as the Official Airline. The alliance has gone on to connect and unite fans globally, with The World's Best Airline also sponsoring numerous football tournaments such as the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017™, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, the FIFA Club World Cup™, and the FIFA Women's World Cup™.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was recently announced as the 'Airline of the Year' at the 2022 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax.  The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented seventh time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022), while also being named 'World's Best Business Class', 'World's Best Business Class Lounge Dining' and 'Best Airline in the Middle East'.

Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 150 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, voted by Skytrax as the 'World's Best Airport'.

Qatar Airways Expands IATA Travel Pass Trial Becoming the First Airline to Integrate Vaccination Certificates in the ‘Digital Passport’ Mobile App

Expanded trial will enable travellers to Doha to share their Qatar issued vaccination certificate via their mobile with the airline and authorities in a more safe, seamless and secure way

Trial will be rolled out in phases, beginning with cabin crew travelling from Kuwait, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris  and Sydney

DOHA, Qatar - Qatar Airways continues to set the benchmark for innovation, safety and customer service, becoming the first airline to trial COVID-19 vaccine authentication through the IATA Travel Pass 'Digital Passport' Mobile App. As more travellers return to the skies, the airline remains committed to reducing paperwork and providing a more contactless, secure and seamless travel experience for its passengers.

 

The trial will be rolled out in phases from July, beginning initially with cabin crew returning to Doha travelling from Kuwait, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Sydney. Cabin crew will be able to upload their Qatar issued COVID-19 vaccination credentials along with their COVID-19 test results to the IATA Travel Pass Mobile App and verify they are eligible to travel. On arrival in Doha, crew will then be able to safely and securely share their vaccination certificate and proceed through immigration at the airport.

 

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker said: "Despite the significant challenges the pandemic has caused international aviation, our industry has continued to be a leader in adopting new technologies and innovations to ensure a safe, secure and seamless travel experience for our passengers. Qatar Airways is proud to lead the way by becoming the first airline to trial COVID-19 vaccine authentication through the IATA Travel Pass 'Digital Passport' Mobile App. I want to especially thank Qatar's Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Interior, Primary Health Care Corporation and Hamad Medical Corporation, whom without their ongoing support, this trial would not be possible.

 

"We know as more people begin making plans to return to their favourite holiday destinations, they will inevitably face the challenge of ensuring they have the right paperwork. Through trialling and supporting the development of new technologies, we aim to provide travellers with a tool that will support them to seamlessly travel across borders with greater confidence."

 

Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General said: "Qatar Airways and the Qatari Government are showing leadership by becoming the first to trial the verification of passengers' vaccine credentials through IATA Travel Pass. Certificates of COVID-19 vaccination or testing status will be key to restoring people's freedom to travel. Trials by Qatar Airways and some 70 other airlines have demonstrated that IATA Travel Pass can efficiently manage test results. This important new trial focusing on vaccination status will build even more confidence in IATA Travel Pass as a complete solution for travellers, governments and airlines."

 

As travellers return to the skies with Qatar Airways, they can take comfort knowing that they are travelling with the only airline in the world that has, together with its state-of-the-art global hub Hamad International Airport, achieved four 5-Star Skytrax ratings – including the prestigious 5-Star Airline Rating, 5-Star Airport Rating, 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating and 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. These achievements highlight Qatar Airways' commitment to providing our passengers with an industry-leading experience at every point of their journey, including the highest possible level of health and safety standards that safeguard the wellbeing of our passengers both on the ground and in the air.

 

BLACK ANDERSON. A Story of the South Coast.

(By 'Polygon.')
The waterfall fell sparkling into the
bay. It was spring. The sealers had come
out again for the summer's plunder.
'Yes, that's the place,' said old Bob
Gemble. 'You can see him still — poor
old Steve. See him by the rock, there,
all grinning. But he's rotten and white
now and there ain't much left on his bones.
Thank God, though, no bird or nibbling
shark got at him. He must have stood
right 'ere and 'eaved him in and the
water took and dropped him down by
the stone and spread its white sheet over
him. We found him in the morning sitting
there, just as he is now, with the fall
tumbling down all on top of him and his
throat cut from ear to ear.'
The two men were standing on the
cliff, looking over a rocky ledge into the
midmost of the welter of foam below,
where something white and gruesome was
wedged.
'It's a queer perch he has down there,'
said Gemble.
''He'll break up soon," said the young
man, and be carried down.'
'No- not yet. He's lasted three years
out and I know he won't find an easy
bed not yet. No, not until --. But we
had better shift, boy. Come on.
The young man stooped and hoisted a
dead kangaroo to his shoulder. Its limp
forepaws and shattered head lolled down
over his back and blood dripped unheeded
from its nose on to his ragged trousers
at every step, as he followed old Gemble
back to the camp in Doubtful Island Bay.
The fall sounded fainter and fainter as
they went crashing along.
'I'm glad , to be away from that,' said
the young man. 'It's a creepy -sight.'
"It sure looks unnatural to see him
hanging there,' said the old man, trudging
ahead. 'He's hung three years with the
water over him, but his ghost won't let
his white bones drop.' The old man spoke
hoarsely and his words trailed off to a
mumbling and grunting. The young man.
looking at the set of the shoulders that
were forcing a way through the thicket
ahead of him, thought to himself, 'One
day Bob will tip Black Anderson over
board.' But as they trudged on and the
sound of the fall could be heard no more
and a chilly wind blew up from the south,
making the old man shudder a little, and
his shoulders to droop, the young man,
stumbling under, his burden, grunted to
himself, 'No, not him. He hasn't got
the guts.' It was the very thought that
Bob Gemble was thinking of himself. Yet
be was under a vow.
Gambling Around the Fire.
Lolling beneath a rough bough shelter
near the beach that night, their feet
towards the fire, built at the entrance,
the sealers played an old, long since forgot
ten game with, greasy cards and chips of
wood. Already, having yet taken nothing,
they were gambling away their rightful
share of the season's catch. Black Ander
son, the headsman and owner, was with
them— a gigantic negro in white canvas
trousers, faded blue shirt and a red cloth
knotted around his neck. He was win
ning a little. It was just as well, thought
everyone, for Anderson, when losing,
might knock a man into the fire, or kick
the cards from his hands or, with one
swing of his mighty arm, wrench the whole
frail roof of bushes down on the head
of his crew and leave them struggling in
the ruins while he went laughing to the
shelter of his tent. To-night, however,
he was winning, and he chuckled and
boasted of what a season it was going to
be and how he could knock over more
seals than any man on the coast and what
a fine crew he had, while beside him,
like a dog, crouched the dumb black wo
man Dinah.
The fire was the only light on the circle
of faces. It was kind to those hard fea
tures. It flashed on the grins at the black
man's jokes and smoothed out the scowls
with its dancing shadows. The young man,
being on his first, voyage, thought it all
very jolly and comradely and doubted that
ever Anderson could have poor Stephen's
throat and pitched him into the fall as
Gemble said he did. As for Gemble, he
was thinking ahead, for this was only the
first night of the season.
The season, so far as sealing mattered
was a good one. The richer, the take the
higher were the stakes to be won at the
nightly gambling. With the summer nearly
out, Anderson seldom made jokes around
the fire. He cursed and bullied and cheated
the mongrel lot that cowered under his
rule. The young man saw Mooney cheated
beaten and thrust out of the circle and
having heard him muttering at night
thought to himself that one day Mooney
would murder Anderson partly for re
venge but mostly for the belt he carried
at his waist. The young man, having seen
Andre cuffed and humiliated and having
intercepted low glances from his evil black
eyes had thought to himself that one day
Andre's smouldering rage would overcome
his fear and he would knife Anderson, as,
it was said, he had knifed young Hook
for jealousy two years before. The young
man, knowing the lust of Peter's mind,
wondered whether he ever would carry
out his threats, to disposses the leader.
When Bob Gemble had one of his mad
turns and crooned about his old boat
mate Steve and the white bones in the
waterfall, the young man wondered
whether, revenge of a comrade's death
might not be a more powerful force than
lust or greed or injured pride. Finally, the
season then being nearly over, the young
man, frenzied with terror and sick with
loathing, wondered whether one day he
would kill Anderson himself.
There was not a man in the crew that
had not said to another that he would
kill Anderson but could they ever mutiny?
Gemble's revenge. Andre's grievance
Peter's lust and Mooney's greed had no
place for the help of others and went un
satisfied rather than that others should
share its satisfaction.
Meanwhile Anderson stormed and bul
lied, sometimes brandishing the brace of
pistols he always carried, sometimes wav-
ing a cutlass, more often subduing the
curs with a blow of the first or a kick;
and when, in the day time, they saw him
poised in the bow, saw hhn leaping to
the rocks and gagped at his skill and dar-
ing they, could not but admire as they
feared this splendid giant. Then hate and
courage failed.
An Old Haunt.
Then one evenuig they came to Man
duran, an old haunt. The old huts were
still there. The poles for Anderson's tent
were still standing. The soak they had dug
the season before was awaiting. The weary
sealers sighed with a sense of peace, like
men sinking into an easy chair by an old
and friendly hearth. There was one new
face among them. Two days before, from
Joe Newman's boat, by cajolery, force and
bargaining with sealskins belonging to his
men Anderson had acquired another
woman. Dumb Dinah, burdened with his
tent and baggage, trailed behind him and
the new favourite in meek devotion.
That night, over the cards, there was
another quarrel. Anderson cheated and
when the young man spoke a greasy black
palm was pushed, into his face and the
savage laughed at him.
"Dogs", said the black man, rising, and
spat at them. Gemble, who had been crazy
all day, started to scream something about
Steve. Anderson yanked him up by the
shoulder and flung him crashing through
the wall of the hut. The three others
trembled and crouch lower.
"Pigs." Anderson kicked at the dying
fire, scattering embers among them and
laughing, stamped off to his tent. The
dumb gin crawled after him. The three
were still crouched in silence, the cards
forgotten around them. Old Bob had
ceased groaning. Presently he got up and
went away. The young man had disappear-
ed. The three at the fire were waiting.
They may have slept as they sat, but when
a shot sounded, all were bolt upright and
listening.
Presently old Bob came in. Presently the
young man came in. Moolby, the new
gin, crept to the fire and Peter drew her
to his side. No one asked questions for
no one needed to. The only human sound
heard that night was the moaning of
Dinah, flung prostrate, grieving over the
corpse of the villain who lay in the moon
drenched tent, her course hair matted in
the blood of the man she had murdered
in the torment of her love.
In the morning they dragged her away
and flung the body down the soak, scrap-
ing earth on top of it. Then they moved off, the woman whimpering in the stern.

Going for Broke: Hunter Valley Motorcycle Ride

The proverbial felines and canines were falling on my roof Wednesday night!!! Will I have to ride through the pouring rain to McGraths Hill to find no one there?? No chance. Thursday morning weather was bright and sunny, the rain had cleared and so off I went on the trek to McGraths Hill full of hope for a pleasant days riding. Fifteen or sixteen hardy souls assembled at Maccas McGraths Hill ready to go. I even arrived in plenty of time at 9.30am for our 10am start. The lack of traffic because of the school holidays made the trip quite bearable. The route was pretty straight forward … up the Putty Road for morning tea at the Grey Gum Café and then on to Broke for lunch. Red Leathers Ron (in white leathers) was nominated by me as TEC as I had no volunteers. He accepted the nomination gracefully and did a fantastic job. Because of my latest accumulation of speeding tickets I told the assembled throng that I was going to stick to the speed limits and anyone wishing to chance their arm were welcome to pass me. A couple of riders duly did so. The ride to the Grey Gums was incident free with no traffic to hold us up and pleasant sunshine to enjoy. The café is only open Friday to Sunday so we availed ourselves of their tables and toilet facilities and enjoyed our morning tea delights whilst talking total crap as is the norm. Soon the riders got restless and moved to their bikes so I took that as a signal to get going on the second leg of our trip to Broke. Two riders left us and headed back to whence we came with all sorts of lame excuses like … I have to work on the boat etc??? The rest of us headed north through the twisties to Milbrodale road where we took a right turn (I took a shortcut through the school zone!!) and headed on to Broke and the renovated park with skateboard deck and kiddies playground. Some of the riders were suggesting they ride their bikes on the skateboard deck but grandma said no??? With lunch finished and the threat of rain looming everybody headed for the hills (PITS etc) asap. I made a leisurely getaway with John Osborne to Wollombi, Laguna, Bucketty where the rain decided to force us to put on our wets. Within five kilometres the rain had stopped and we cruised on down the old road and past the PITS as I had a heavy date at Jonah’s, Whale Beach in the early evening so I had to get home to get my finery on???

Australians prefer to book their domestic flights online

A national survey of 12,000 people has revealed that more than 73% of Australians prefer to book their domestic flights online while only 16% prefer to use travel agents.

However, when it comes to overseas trips, only 35% of Australians book their flights online with 44% using travel agents.

The survey was conducted by News Limited as part of the relaunch of its expanded new national travel section, Escape. Run through the escape.com.au website, the survey reveals some interesting facts about Australians and their passion for travel.

In addition, the internet is also becoming a valuable tool for travel research, as increasingly, travellers use the net to investigate where they want to go. 80% of respondents said they used the internet when deciding where to go, 68% used a newspaper travel section, 67% used friends and family, 58% used brochures and 56% used television programs.

The three main reasons for using a travel agent included the superior knowledge of travel agents, helpful staff and having a single point of contact.

The relaunched Escape section will appear weekly in News Limited metropolitan newspapers from this Sunday and online at escape.com.au, where there will be regularly updated blogs and travel news.

Escape is about inspiring readers and helping to make travel dreams a reality. It is about understanding reader wants and needs – and then delivering them the information they need to make the journey as easy, and memorable, as possible.

The section will be edited by Brian Crisp, the Travel Editor of The Courier-Mail. During his career in journalism, Brian has held senior news positions in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, where he was editor of The Sunday Times. He has been the Travel Editor at The Courier-Mail for five years. Brian sees part of his job as road testing holidays for his readers – making sure they get the best value for money.

Brian will head up a team of writers and travel experts across Australia, addressing more than just destination-based travel.  Regular sections will include favourite travel spots from international celebrities, plus contributions from well-known writers and journalists.

The new section will explore travel trends and be deals oriented. Escape's relaunch includes an expansion of the brand to a cross-platform model with a significant online component. The printed section will run in The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (VIC), The Sunday Mail (QLD), the Sunday Mail (SA), The Sunday Times (WA), and The Sunday Tasmanian (TAS) and additional content will be online at escape.com.au.

Alan Oakley, Editor, National Features for News Ltd, said that Escape's research showed Australians were looking for value-based information as well as aspirational travel writing.

"Our focus will be on enticing readers with excellent travel journalism and then telling people how they can experience each destination in the most cost-effective way. There's is a real appetite for holiday deals, and we'll ensure that Escape is the number one destination for value travel from day one," said Mr Oakley.

Sunday's first issue of Escape will be looking at Great Drives around Australia and readers will have the opportunity to win one of 13 Family Holiday Travel Packages from Accor Vacation Club and Virgin Blue.
 
About News Limited

News Limited is Australia's largest newspaper publisher, with its major metropolitan titles including The Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph in NSW, the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun in Vic, The Courier-Mail and the Sunday Mail in Qld, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail in SA, the Sunday Times in WA, The Mercury and the Sunday Tasmanian in Tas and Northern Territory News and Sunday Territorian in NT. Combined with regional newspapers in Victoria and Queensland and community newspapers in each of the mainland capital cities, News Limited reaches more than 11.3 million Australians aged 14 and over each week. Two in every three Australian adults read at least one News Limited newspaper each week.

* source: Roy Morgan Single Source 12 months ending December 2008.

 

Yangtze River Cruise

But it's not until you explore its waters on one of Victoria Cruises' award-winning, five-star vessels that you truly appreciate the gravity of its appeal.

Such is the river's holidaying magnetism that leading China specialist Helen Wong's Tours has constantly added more cruises to its group and independent tour programs.

Big Green Ideas

What's big and green and innovative? That's what the British Council wants Australian entrepreneurs, businesses and creative up-and-comings to tell them. On offer, six grants to support ventures in waste reduction, energy, transport and water efficiency and sustainability.