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QATAR Airways has just released a new commercial policy to provide the best flexibility in accordance with passenger travel plans. Passengers who have booked tickets or will buy plane tickets until 30 June 2020 will be offered the freedom to change their travel plans for free.
This can be done by changing flight schedules or exchanging tickets for flight vouchers that are valid for up to a year. Both ticket change methods are valid for up to three days before departure.
This commercial policy is designed to provide certainty and satisfaction to Qatar Airways passengers in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak (corona virus) and its impact on the global tourism industry.
According to Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group, His Excellency Akbar Al Bakar, said we prioritize the safety, security and health of passengers and employees. Although we maintain the highest standards of cleanliness in all operational activities, we realize that some passengers want to change their travel plans. We hope that this new policy, coupled with hygiene practices and aviation safety records, will provide certainty to passengers.
As an airline, Qatar Airways maintains hygiene standards as well as possible. These efforts include periodic disinfection of aircraft, the use of cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as complete employment training.
What’s more, Qatar Airways airplanes have the most sophisticated air filter system. The system is equipped with an industrial grade HEPA filter that removes 99.97% of virus and bacterial contaminants from recirculated water. As such, the technology provides the most effective protection from infection.
All linens and blankets on an airplane have been washed, dried and ironed in temperatures that kill microbes. Meanwhile, the foam for the ear on the headset device has been replaced, and this device is thoroughly cleaned after the flight ends. The items are then closed in their respective packages by staff who use disposable hygienic gloves.
Last year, Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) became the first organization in the world to achieve ISO22000: 2018 certification from Bureau Veritas, with UKAS accreditation. This certificate proves that the Food Safety Management System run by the company has met the highest standards. All equipment for serving food and cutlery is washed with detergent, and rinsed with fresh water that has been mineralized.
This water is used in temperatures that can kill bacterial diseases. The staff also wears disposable hygienic gloves when handling all the equipment that has been cleaned, while each cutlery is also repackaged.
Qatar Airways currently uses a modern aircraft fleet consisting of 250 aircraft, through its operational center at Hamad International Airport (HIA), as well as connecting more than 170 destinations worldwide. Last year, the fastest growing airline in the world added several new destinations to its aviation network. [PRNewswire/photo special]
