Qatar Airways is set to implement a notable reduction in its flights between London and Doha, which will come into effect starting in May. The international airline has trimmed its previously planned 951 departures for the April to June period down to 818, reflecting a reduction of 14%. This decrease will affect operations at both Heathrow and Gatwick airports, due to shifts in demand and operational factors.
In detail, the number of flights from Doha to London Gatwick will be reduced from two daily flights to just 11 weekly, while services from Doha to London Heathrow will see a drop from 59 flights per week to 48. Moreover, additional reductions in London services are anticipated between July and October, though this adjustment is expected to be more modest, estimated at around 3% to 5%.
The implications of these cutbacks are significant, especially for the tourism sectors in both London and Qatar. Travelers may face increased difficulty securing flights as available options will diminish. Despite this, Doha has continued to grow as a favored destination for leisure and business travel. The airport serves as an essential hub for connecting flights, notably linking passengers traveling from London to various locations in the Middle East and Asia.
Data from the previous year indicates that key destinations for London travelers flying onward from Doha included India, Pakistan, Australia, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. Currently, Qatar Airways is the primary carrier connecting Doha to London. However, British Airways, which operates under the same oneworld alliance as Qatar Airways, will maintain its direct flights between the two capitals.
The airline’s service cuts are not limited to London; Venice will also see a reduction in flight frequency to just four services per week, additionally receiving smaller aircraft with reduced passenger capacity. In Warsaw, Qatar Airways will reduce its twice-daily flights to Doha to 12 weekly services, and certain daytime services will be withdrawn on some days.
It remains unclear what Qatar Airways plans to do with the capacity saved from these route reductions, as there have been no new European destinations announced this year and the overall European capacity is declining compared to previous years.
Despite these challenges, Qatar Airways has consistently ranked among the best airlines globally at the Skytrax awards and remains a favorite among UK travelers. In a recent YouGov survey, the airline placed eighth with a popularity rating of 40% and an impressive recognition score of 93%. British Airways took the top spot in popularity among UK carriers, while EasyJet scored 100% recognition, yet had a popularity rating of 56%.
Though the news of these reductions may appear disheartening for travelers, it provides an opportunity for other airlines to fill the gaps and for Qatar Airways to focus on enhancing its remaining services moving forward.