China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airways strengthen partnership – Business Traveller
Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines have announced the next phase of their partnership – which includes a codeshare agreement – with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance travel options and convenience for passengers.
The carriers note that the MoU outlines a framework for them to boost their market presence and collaboration in the areas of cargo and frequent flyer programmes.
This follows China Southern Airlines launching a new Guangzhou-Doha route in April, deploying a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
As part of the enhanced MoU, Qatar Airways and China Southern now say they will provide their respective Privilege Club and Sky Pearl Club members with frequent flyer benefits. These include collecting and spending Avios/Miles on both Qatar Airways and China Southern flights, as well as tier benefits in the form of lounge access and other airport offerings.
Qatar Airways group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “As part of our robust partnership with China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airways is building on the success of the new route from Doha to Guangzhou, which was launched in April this year, to offer more choice to both airline passengers.
It is a proud milestone for us to serve the prominent Chinese market in collaboration with our key partner and we look forward to extending our award-winning offerings to travellers flying through China,” the Qatar Airways chief added.
“China Southern Airlines launched a direct route from Guangzhou to Doha in April, which has strongly promoted the connectivity between China and countries and regions along the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. In the future, China Southern Airlines will deepen cooperation with Qatar Airways, strengthen complementary advantages, and work together to bring more comfortable and convenient travel experiences to our passengers,” said president and chief executive of China Southern, Han Wensheng.
Headquartered in Guangzhou, China Southern Airlines is China’s largest carrier in terms of route network coverage and annual passenger traffic.
