Qatar Airways, the award-winning Doha-based international carrier, has signed a unique partnership deal with ASPIRE - the Academy for Sports Excellence to become the official airline for the Academy’s launch in the Qatari capital between 17 and 19 November 2005.
Under the terms of the deal, Qatar Airways now operates an in-house reservations office at ASPIRE, responsible for travel and flight information for international guests attending the Academy’s launch.
It is the first time that Qatar Airways has agreed to provide a dedicated facility of this kind for an educational establishment and one of the first such partnerships in the world.
Sporting legends from around the globe will be able to enjoy the Five Star comforts and service of one of the world’s best airlines when Qatar Airways flies them to Doha for this week’s prestigious event.
The ‘Spread Your Wings’ event will see the Academy welcome more than 400 high profile guests – sportsmen and women, past and present, as well as leading sports opinion formers – from around the world for the inauguration ceremony of the ASPIRE dome, the largest of its kind in the world.
The second day of the event includes a Gala Dinner for the invited dignitaries. Qatar Airways is also a key sponsor of the gala night and will provide its world-class levels of hospitality that the airline has grown accustomed to.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways is a proud supporter of sporting and academic excellence within Qatar and we are delighted to host the gala dinner and enter into a partnership with ASPIRE to provide travel and hospitality support for the opening event.
“ASPIRE is helping to support the growth and development of the next generation of sporting champions within the region and by supporting this high-calibre event, we are delighted to be a part of the Academy’s success.”
Neil Duncanson, ASPIRE’s communications manager said: “We are very pleased to join together in a partnership with Qatar Airways for the ASPIRE launch event. We will be hosting some of the biggest legends in world sport as well as sports tournaments and international entertainment acts and Qatar Airways will be flying them all.
“Our guests will be travelling in some style, benefiting from the personal service offered by Qatar Airways, recognised as one of only four carriers to be rated five stars.
The ‘Spread Your Wings’ event will run from November 17 - November 19, 2005, at the ASPIRE Academy for Sports Excellence, Qatar.
About ASPIRE
ASPIRE, the Academy for Sports Excellence, is a world-class facility that aims to identify, educate and train world-class athletes to compete in professional sports at the highest levels. ASPIRE provides exceptional facilities, including full educational and recreational facilities, advanced dormitories, an amphitheatre, lecture halls, seven outdoor football training fields, and state-of-the-art weight rooms and physiotherapy. The Academy is distinguished by a philosophy which aims to develop the whole student, providing them with full academic and sports development so that they have the widest possible range of opportunities in adult life. ASPIRE TODAY, INSPIRE TOMORROW.
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways operates scheduled flights from Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, to 66 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Far East. With its codeshare partners, the airline serves more than 80 destinations worldwide. The Kenyan capital Nairobi will be added to Qatar Airways’ route network on November 15, followed by Madrid on December 2 and Berlin as the airline’s third German destination on December 15. The airline operates a fleet of 42 all-Airbus aircraft which will almost triple in size over the next 10 years to 110 aircraft. Qatar Airways recently signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 60 of the new generation Airbus A350s. The airline also plans to acquire 20 Boeing 777s with a total value for both orders set to be worth US$15.2 billion.
