Doha: Qatar Airways Group CEO Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer said Qatar Airways has a promising future and is considering unconventional ways to increase its financial returns, achieve greater profits, and create better cooperation in European markets.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Meer added during his participation in a panel discussion on Tuesday, within the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, the national carrier will consider some risks to explore business opportunities in new markets amid unpredictable geopolitical situations.
He emphasized that Qatar Airways recorded its best revenues in its history during the past year, which ended in April 2025, noting that the national carrier is on track to record its best performance for the current month of May. He added that the first quarter of this year will be better, by a large margin, compared to last year, based on the advance bookings for June and July.
Qatar Airways achieved net profits of QAR 7.85 billion (US$ 2.15 billion) for the last fiscal year, an increase of QAR 1.7 billion (US$ 0.5 billion) compared to the previous year, recording a record profit increase of 28 percent in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Al Meer pointed out that Qatar Airways' intention to purchase the largest aircraft order in its history, in cooperation with Boeing and its manufacturing partner, is part of the airline's strategic plan to grow and develop its aircraft fleet. The historic order includes up to 210 Boeing widebody aircraft (160 firm orders and 50 options). He noted that this large number of aircraft is based on the airline's long-term strategy extending to 2045. He noted that this order fulfills Qatar Airways' strategy and helps achieve sustainable growth, expand the airline's network, and also retire some older aircraft.
Regarding the agreement between Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia, the CEO emphasized that this partnership benefits both airlines and provides more options for passengers.
Ex-Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the partnership offers consumers more options by offering more seats and more destinations around the world, thus increasing value and choice.
She added that Virgin Australia is proud to have the opportunity to work with Qatar Airways. This will provide Australians with more options to travel abroad, and there are ripple benefits not only for both airlines, but also for job creation, tourism services, and small businesses, as there is the potential to double cargo services, as well as increase the value provided to consumers.
For his part, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad Izham Ismail said that cooperation between Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways has existed since 2018, noting that Qatar Airways is the preferred partner, a relationship that has been shaped over the past six years. Qatar Airways covers all western regions, while Virgin Australia and Malaysia Airlines will cover the eastern part.
He added that the Pacific region's maritime industry represents approximately 30 percent of global tourism potential, while the Asia-Pacific region represents approximately 50 percent of global potential, indicating that a new era of maritime industry will be witnessed in the coming years.