DOHA: Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that it has entered into an MoU with Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport, Russia’s third-largest airport, to potentially acquire up to 25 per cent of the airport’s total shares. The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday 4 April at the Oryx Rotana Hotel in Doha.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, signed the MoU along with Chairman of the Board of Vnukovo International Airport JSC, Mr. Vitaly Vantsev. The signing took place in the presence of Deputy General Commerce for Vnukovo International Airport, Mr. Anton Kuznetsov.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “As we celebrate the Year of Culture between Russia and the State of Qatar, I am very pleased to announce the potential acquisition of up to 25 per cent of Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport. Such an investment will complement the strong ties we have already established with the country, with our launch of direct services to St. Petersburg late last year, as well as our triple-daily flights to Moscow. All our investments are part of our existing expansion strategy, through which we aim to be able to bring even more people together from all parts of the globe.”
Chairman of the Board of Vnukovo International Airport, Mr. Vitaly Vantsev, said: “Today we have signed the Memorandum of Understanding, the provisions of which, once implemented, could establish a foundation for productive partnership between Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading air carriers and a true, recognised touchstone of sterling quality of passenger and in-flight services, and Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. Vnukovo International nowadays boasts the best transport accessibility and most advanced, cutting-edge airport infrastructure in Russia, enabling the Airport’s consistently impressive passenger growth performance nationwide. This gives me every confidence that our potential partnership will be mutually beneficial and good for all concerned, through further synergies it will be creating for each partner, enabling further growth.”
This potential investment supports the award-winning airline’s investment strategy, which already includes 20 per cent investment in International Airlines Group, 10 per cent investment in LATAM Airlines Group, 9.94 per cent investment in Cathay Pacific and 49 per cent investment in Air Italy.
Qatar Airways recently announced that it has become the General Partner of Cosmoscow, the International Contemporary Art Fair, an event that unites the contemporary Russian art market and helps its contributors establish contacts with the international art community. This collaboration is one of many between the State of Qatar and Russia, who are this year celebrating the Year of Culture.
The airline shares strong links with Russia, as it operates triple daily flights to Moscow and daily flights to St. Petersburg, launched in December 2017.
Named 2017 Airline of the Year by Skytrax, the national carrier of the State of Qatar is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. In 2018/2019, Qatar Airways will be adding many more exciting destinations to its network, including London Gatwick and Cardiff, United Kingdom; Lisbon, Portugal; Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, Malta; Cebu and Davao, Philippines; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece and Málaga, Spain. News Desk
