DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is proud to be the official airline sponsor of one of the world’s most prestigious racing events on the international calendar, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2019.
The highly lauded horse race took place in the magnificent setting of the Bois de Boulogne park in the city of lights, and attracted top jockeys and famous horse breeders from around the world.
In partnership with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC), Qatar Airways welcomed racing fans to the Paris Longchamp Racecourse on the weekend of 5th – 6th October to experience the highlight of the flat-racing season. The two days of elite racing brought together the best thoroughbreds and jockeys to compete in one of Europe’s most coveted races.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to once again be the official airline sponsor of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the most renowned event on the horse racing calendar. Participating in this major equestrian event highlights our commitment to our French network, which remains one of our most important strategic and commercial routes.
“Our continued support of global sporting events reflects our firm belief in the unifying power of sport and the pivotal role it plays in bringing people from all over the world together. At Qatar Airways, we are committed to uniting people through our strategic partnerships. This is something which has been evident through Qatar Airways’ recent sponsorship of major global sporting events, such as the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and the FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Doha in December.”
Chairman of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), His Excellency Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, said: “We are delighted with our long term strategic partnership with Qatar Airways, the world’s fastest-growing airline and Qatar’s flag carrier. The ongoing cooperation between QREC and Qatar Airways in sponsoring horse race meetings enables exciting racing events which reflect the passion for equestrian sport in Qatar.
“We have developed an extensive partnership with Qatar Airways to organise numerous prestigious international events. Qatar Airways contributes significantly to the shipping activities for QREC-sponsored events overseas. Their support has been critical to QREC’s sponsorship of the Qatar Goodwood Festival in the UK and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France.
“Moreover, Qatar Airways plays a leading role at the HH The Amir Sword Festival by facilitating participation of horses from outside Qatar. We look forward to continuing our close partnership, which has borne fruit for Qatar as well as equestrian sport in Qatar.”
To complement the airline’s values, Qatar Airways collaborated with Les Fermes de Gally, an established Parisian horticultural firm which specialises in innovative gardens and spectacular floral displays. This collaboration unveiled the recreation of the flower market scene from Qatar Airways’ famous ‘A World Like Never Before’ campaign which premiered earlier this year.
Under the recently signed agreement, Qatar Airways will be the Official Airline Sponsor of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 renewals of the QREC-sponsored Qatar Goodwood Festival and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Qatar Airways will also maintain its role as the Official Airline Partner of the HH The Amir Sword Festival in 2020 and 2021.
Qatar Airways currently operates a total of 21 weekly direct flights between its home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha and Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris. The award-winning airline also operates five weekly flights to Nice.
Since 1 August, Qatar Airways has been operating one of its three daily flights from Paris-CDG with the A350-1000, an ultra-modern eco-efficient aircraft equipped with Qsuite Business Class seat. At the cutting edge of technology, it offers unrivalled comfort and optimal connectivity. Its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines reduce CO2 emissions per passenger by 25% compared to similar aircraft. It also has the lowest carbon emission rate of wide-body aircraft currently on the market.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The airline has recently launched an array of exciting new destinations, including Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; and Mogadishu, Somalia. The airline will add Langkawi, Malaysia and Gaborone, Botswana, to its extensive route network in 2019 with Luanda, Angola; and Osaka, Japan, following in 2020.
