Qatar Airways, China Southern forge closer commercial ties

Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad Int’l) and China Southern Airlines (CZ, Guangzhou) are to codeshare on all flights between their respective countries following a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two airlines.

Signed on November 9, the MoU calls for a significant expansion of their existing codeshare arrangement dating from December 2019, outlining greater benefits and more seamless connections, Qatar Airways said in a statement. “As part of the collaboration, all future flights between China and Qatar will be codeshared,” it stated.

Closer ties will also involve increased joint lounge access and a soon-to-be confirmed enhanced frequent flyer agreement.

In addition, the two airlines agreed to support the growth of Beijing Daxing Int’l into a leading international aviation hub for passenger and cargo services.

“We look forward to further deepening our close relationship with China Southern Airlines and to explore even greater opportunities for collaboration in the years to come,” commented Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker.

“Our collaboration will also lay a solid foundation for the development of Beijing Daxing International Airport into a global aviation hub,” confirmed China Southern Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer, Han Wensheng.

The expanded codeshare agreement is the latest in Qatar Airways’ programme of strengthening its strategic cooperation with key global airlines, which has already seen it forge partnerships with, amongst others, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, Oman Air, and RwandAir in recent months.

The new agreement with China Southern Airlines is subject to the lifting of current COVID-19 travel restrictions and regulatory approvals.

Following the pandemic, the Qatari national carrier is rebuilding its network, which currently stands at more than 140 destinations.