Qatar Airways reports losses of $4+ billion

The airline also attributed more than half of the loss (QAR 8.4 billion or $2.3 billion) to a one-time impairment charge related to the grounding of the airline’s Airbus A380 and A330 fleets

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

Qatar Airways has reported that it suffered a net loss of QAR 14.9 billion ($4.1) billion over the last fiscal year.

The major loss, which was reported by the airline is a result of lockdowns and travel bans triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which greatly reduced demand for long-haul travel.  The airline also attributed more than half of the loss (QAR 8.4 billion or $2.3 billion) to a one-time impairment charge related to the grounding of the airline’s Airbus A380 and A330 fleets.

Despite these difficulties, the state-owned airline also reported that it saw an improvement in EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) to QAR 5.9 billion ($1.6 billion), compared to QAR 4.9 billion ($1.4 billion) the previous year. This was achieved as the airline saved on jet fuel, reduced salaries by 15% and cut some 13,400 employees from its workforce.

To help the airline through the crisis, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker acknowledged that its shareholder, the Government of Qatar, bestowed on them a $3 Billion lifeline

The carrier’s cargo division also saw a 4.6% rise in freight tonnes handled over the previous fiscal year 2019/20, with 2,727,986 tonnes handled in 2020/21. This increase in freight handled, as well as a significant increase in cargo yield, also saw the carrier’s cargo revenues more than double, which will surely secure Doha International Airport a spot in the top ten busiest cargo airports.

To help the airline through the crisis, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker acknowledged that its shareholder, the Government of Qatar, bestowed on them a $3 Billion lifeline. During the pandemic, Qatar Airways continued operating to key cities, including Amsterdam, Dallas-Fort Worth, London, Montréal, São Paulo, Singapore, Johannesburg, Sydney and Tokyo.

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