Operating 1,800 flights weekly during December 2026 to keep pace with increasing demand
The aircraft maintenance center is equivalent to 13 football fields and can accommodate 14 aircraft at the same time
The maintenance facility contains 80 engines with a total value estimated at $2 billion
Relying on Qatari competencies while seeking help from some foreign expertise to continue development
Great attention to safety standards for travelers and ensuring the quality of services provided on board flights
Qatar Airways has confirmed its readiness to welcome the upcoming winter season by expanding its global network of destinations to include more than 170 destinations, thereby strengthening its global leadership position in the field of air connectivity, as the Qatari carrier operates more than 186 flights weekly across Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, providing travelers with more seamless travel options through Hamad International Airport, the headquarters of its operations that has won many international awards.
The 2026-2027 winter season flight schedule comes to keep pace with the increasing demand for Qatar Airways’ services across its network of destinations spanning six continents, as it includes the resumption of operations to a number of destinations and the increase of flights across several strategic markets around the world.
In this context, Qatar Airways received local media at the group’s facilities through its operations headquarters in Doha, and the tour included Hamad International Airport, the Integrated Operations Center, and the aircraft maintenance building. The extensive coordination and specialized operational expertise required to achieve the highest standards of quality and efficiency across one of the most vibrant destination networks in the aviation sector was reviewed.
The most modern aircraft maintenance centers in the world
In the same context, Engineer Ali Al-Saadi, Chief Technical Officer at Qatar Airways Group, said: The aircraft maintenance center of Qatar Airways is considered one of the largest and most modern aircraft maintenance centers in the world, noting that it is equipped with the latest devices and technologies used in the aviation sector, and extends over an area equivalent to about 13 football fields, and at the same time accommodates about 14 aircraft to perform various maintenance operations, explaining that the center carries out light and heavy maintenance work.
He added that the center conducts about 170 heavy maintenance operations annually, in addition to approximately 15,000 light maintenance operations annually, which reflects the size of the operational and technical capabilities that the center enjoys.
He pointed out that the center includes 22 multi-disciplinary workshops, including departments and workshops specialized in electricity, maintenance and safety, in addition to aircraft body workshops, which undertake work related to the fuselage, aluminum and equipment used on board aircraft.
Al-Saadi explained that the center also includes an integrated facility for engine maintenance, containing about 80 engines, with a total value estimated at about $2 billion.
Relying on national competencies
Al-Saadi also said that Qatar Airways is relying on Qatari capabilities and competencies to lead this stage, and at the same time some foreign expertise is being used with the aim of continuing development, learning about what the market is witnessing, and benefiting from external expertise in developing the national carrier, ensuring that it keeps pace with the rapid developments witnessed by the aviation sector around the world.
He added: “In addition, Qatar Airways is known for its great interest in safety standards and quality assurance for passengers, as well as continuous investment in developing aircraft seats and services provided on board flights.”
Expanding the scope of Starlink service
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the in-flight travel experience, Qatar Airways continues to expand the scope of its Starlink service at an unprecedented pace across more destinations within its network spanning six continents. With the operation of up to 340 flights equipped with the Starlink service daily, enjoying the fastest internet service in the air has become an integral part of the exceptional travel experience that the Qatari carrier provides to its valued passengers on board more than 150 wide-body aircraft equipped with this technology.
With plans to operate approximately 1,800 flights per week during December 2026, Qatar Airways welcomes the winter season with a broader global presence and a stronger operational network, providing travelers with multiple options and smoother air connections.
Expansion across the African continent
Within the African continent, Qatar Airways is enhancing air connectivity with the most popular destinations in the world, by resuming its daily flights to Zanzibar (ZNZ) in the Republic of Tanzania, starting October 25, 2026, which confirms the Qatari carrier’s commitment to supporting the tourism sector and trade exchange in the region.
To complement this expansion, Qatar Airways will increase the number of its flights to Seychelles (SEZ) from four to seven flights per week, starting March 1, 2027, allowing travelers from all over the world to access this distinguished destination with its picturesque beaches, rich cultural heritage, and generous hospitality.
In South Africa, Qatar Airways will enhance its services to Johannesburg (JNB) by increasing the number of flights from 14 to 18 flights per week from 2 December 2026, allowing greater flexibility for both business and leisure travel.
Enhancing air connectivity in the Americas
As part of strengthening its presence in North America, Qatar Airways intends to increase its flights to Montreal (YUL) in Canada from five to seven flights per week starting October 25, 2026, with a 40 percent increase in the number of seats available. This expansion reflects the growing demand for travel to Canada from the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.
Significant growth in Asia Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region is a strategic and essential region within Qatar Airways’ network of destinations, as the winter season will witness an increase in the number of flights in addition to the resumption of operations to a number of other destinations, in order to meet the growing demand for travel, especially from travelers coming from Europe.
As of October 25, 2026, the Thai city of Phuket (HKT) will see an increase in Qatar Airways flights from 14 to 21 flights per week. The Qatari carrier also intends to increase the number of its flights to Male (MLE) in the Maldives from 12 to 21 flights per week, to provide lovers of adventure and exploration around the world with broader travel options.
In a related context, operations to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) in Vietnam are witnessing a noticeable increase, becoming 11 weekly flights instead of seven, as of November 7, 2026, thanks to the re-operation of four direct flights weekly between Doha and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
Travelers to and from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) during the winter season will have wider travel options with the increase in the number of flights of the Qatari carrier to 18 flights per week, starting from October 25, 2026.
Resumption of flights in Australia
From 9 December 2026, Qatar Airways will resume daily flights to Canberra (CBR) via Melbourne (MEL) in Australia. This new route contributes to reconnecting the Australian capital with Qatar Airways’ growing network of destinations, giving passengers enhanced travel options to reach Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Qatar Airways has doubled its flights to Melbourne from 7 to 14 flights per week, starting December 9, 2026. As part of its strategic partnership with Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia will enhance its flights to Doha from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, starting December 2026.
The number of flights to Sydney will also double to 14 flights per week (a total of 21 flights per week in partnership with Qatar Airways), followed by the resumption of flights to Brisbane at 3 flights per week (bringing the combined operational total to 10 flights per week in partnership with Qatar Airways), and the resumption of the Perth route with 4 flights per week (a total of 11 weekly flights in partnership with Qatar Airways).
Strengthening the network of European destinations
Qatar Airways continues to consolidate its presence in the most prominent European cities, as it will increase the number of its flights to London (LHR) from 49 to 56 flights per week, starting from October 25, 2026, with an 11 percent increase in seat capacity. To enhance air connectivity between London and Doha, British Airways, Qatar Airways’ codeshare partner, operates daily flights between the two capitals.
In the German market, the Qatari carrier will increase its flights to Frankfurt (FRA) from 18 to 21 flights per week, starting December 7, 2026, increasing seat capacity by 7 percent.
Continued expansion across the Middle East
Qatar Airways is moving forward to strengthen its operations in the Middle East region, with an increase in the number of daily flights by 10 percent during the winter season, in addition to resuming its flights to four additional destinations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As of October 25, 2026, the Qatari carrier will resume its flights to Al-Qassim (ELQ), followed by Taif (TIF) on October 31, 2026, then Yanbu (YNB) on January 2, 2027, and Tabuk (TUU) on January 3, 2027, giving travelers multiple options for traveling across various parts of the Kingdom.
Two flights per week will be operated to each of these destinations, bringing the total number of flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to more than 155 flights per week, an increase of more than 10 percent compared to the summer season flight schedule. With this expansion, the number of Qatar Airways destinations in the Kingdom increases to 12, in a step that reflects the Qatari carrier’s firm commitment to the Saudi travel market, and strengthens its role in supporting regional air connectivity and increasing economic growth in the region.