Three daily flights instead of four frequencies on certain days this summer. This is the winter schedule that Qatar Airways has just unveiled for Paris CDG. A schedule that must certainly take into account the once again tense geopolitical situation in the Persian Gulf.
The French capital is not the only one losing frequencies. In fact, Qatar Airways is scaling back in nearly thirty cities, even completely suspending its flights to one half-dozen European destinations for the winter season - including Hamburg, Sofia or Venice.
The carrier seems to have lost some of its former glory since the Gulf crisis. Gone are the resounding announcements of new routes. From now on, the carrier is adjusting its offering, probably with the aim of regaining profitability, which has been heavily damaged by the Iran/United States war. A war that has intensified again for ten days now, creating many new uncertainties about the future.
The whole of Europe concerned
According to the airline's winter schedule, updated in mid-July, frequencies will be reduced on many major capitals and business cities. In addition to Doha-Paris CDG, which goes from 24 to 21 frequencies per week, London-Heathrow loses one daily flight (63 to 56 flights per week), as does Copenhagen (17 to 10 flights per week).
Bucharest is losing 5 flights per week, Rome and Düsseldorf 4 flights/week. Belgrade, Budapest, Madrid (from December), Oslo and Zagreb are also losing 3 flights per week compared to the summer season. Other destinations such as Berlin, Lisbon and Zurich are seeing a smaller drop in the number of flights.
This new series had been preceded earlier in the season by an announced reduction in capacity on Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Manchester, Munich and Prague. Conversely, only Athens and Moscow Sheremetyevo are seeing their routes strengthened.
In fact, Qatar Airways' slowdown is expected to impact ticket prices, in addition to the Gulf War effect and the current rise in oil prices.
