Latest news with #Doha-based
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Top 10 airlines in the world 2025: This Indian airline ranks #3 among best low-cost carriers, Air India in top 100
Top 10 Airlines in the World 2025: As global aviation rebounds in 2025 with rising passenger traffic, airlines are investing heavily in quality service, safety, and innovation in an effort to transform air travel into a more comfortable, enjoyable experience. At the top of the list is Qatar Airways that has, once again, been named the World's Best Airline 2025 by Skytrax, claiming the title for the ninth time. The Doha-based airline also swept multiple categories, winning Best Airline in the Middle East, World's Best Business Class, and World's Best Inflight Entertainment. Singapore Airlines, a five-time title holder, came in second this year. It has also been recognised as the World's Best Cabin Crew, the World's Best First Class, and one of the Best Airlines in Asia, according to Skytrax. Cathay Pacific Airways made a notable jump to #3 this year, pushing Emirates to #4 and ANA All Nippon Airways to #5. Rising performers this year were Korean Air at #7 and Hainan Airlines at #10, which made significant entries in the global top 10 this year, pushing Swiss International Air Lines and EVA Air, at 11th and 12th, respectively, in 2025. Skytrax World Airline Awards recently ranked airlines based on millions of passenger reviews across various categories. Here are the world's best airlines in 2025: Source: IndiGo, India's largest airline by market cap, was ranked #39 in the World's Top 100 Airlines for 2025, rising from #42 in the previous year and #3 in the World's Best Low-Cost Airline. Regionally, it ranked top for the Best Airline and Best Low-Cost Airline in South Asia for 2025. In a significant shift, Air India ranked 84th this year, from #90, on the World Top 100 Airlines for 2025 and ranked second in the Best Airline in South Asia for 2025. Source: Skytrax World's Best Airlines in South Asia 2025 Source: Skytrax World Best Regional Airlines in South Asia 2025 Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Percy Tau, 'Lion of Judah', ready to roar as PSL circle for his signature
Bafana Bafana striker Percy Tau has become a free agent, sparking interest among Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs eager to secure the talent of the 31-year-old. Tau's departure from Doha-based Qatar SC comes on the heels of a short-term contract with the Qatari club, which he joined mid-season from Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. During his time with Qatar SC, Tau's influence was pivotal in steering the club clear of relegation in the competitive Qatar Stars League. Before his stint in Qatar, Tau enjoyed substantial success with Al Ahly, where he thrived in his role and contributed to the club's impressive collection of silverware, including two CAF Champions League titles, two Egyptian Premier League championships, and four Egyptian Super Cups. His accolades further include being named the CAF Interclub Player of the Year in 2023, a historic achievement as he became the first South African to win this prestigious award. Tau's expansive career has seen him play for various noteworthy clubs across multiple countries. His journey began at Mamelodi Sundowns and has taken him through European giants, including Union St Gilloise, Club Brugge, Anderlecht in Belgium, and Brighton & Hove Albion in England, showcasing his adaptability and talent across different leagues and styles of play. During an engaging podcast with Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Robert Marawa, Tau shared his thoughts on rejoining the PSL, stating he would contemplate lucrative offers. Tau said he is open to discussions with any interested party in the PSL, including Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch FC, or SuperSport United. 'There's a lot to consider—age, length of contract, and family,' he highlighted. 'If that situation were to arise regarding an offer, I would pay attention to it.' Marawa was trying to establish what Tau would deem an attractive offer, and he mentioned R450,000 a month for a two-year contract. This proposition seemed to resonate well with Tau, who responded with enthusiasm, exclaiming, 'Perfect,' which signals his readiness to engage in further negotiations. 'If I were to consider an offer around R450,000 per month on a two-year contract with an option to extend, I would entertain that,' Tau confirmed, particularly if it were from a club like Kaizer Chiefs, a club he admired during his childhood days. 'There are still other clubs in the PSL. I mean, I've played for Sundowns, so I cannot write them off,' he remarked, alluding to his successful time with the club, where he won numerous trophies and garnered immense affection from the fans. As he deliberated the possibilities, Tau echoed a sentiment rooted in pragmatism: 'It will have to take a good deal to agree. If Sundowns were not to offer me a contract and Chiefs do, then it's not my fault. With the transfer window still young, the landscape of South African football is ripe for surprises, and Tau's next chapter could unfold at any moment as he remains poised for conversations that may see him adorning a new club's colours in the not-so-distant future. Some reports came out after the Marawa interview saying Chiefs are not keen to signing Tau, even going further to say he will be no better than Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly, who flopped at Naturena.
Arabian Post
13-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Qatar Prints Landmark 3D‑Built Schools at Scale
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Qatar has embarked on the printing stage of an ambitious architectural endeavour, deploying what are now the world's largest 3D construction printers to build two public schools. Spearheaded by UCC Holding alongside the Public Works Authority, Ashghal, the project forms part of a broader plan to erect 14 new educational facilities under a public–private partnership, but these two structures alone span 40,000 m²—roughly 40 times larger than any previous 3D‑printed building worldwide. Two custom-built BODXL printers supplied by Denmark's COBOD each measure 50 m in length, 30 m in width and 15 m in height—dimensions comparable to a Boeing 737 hangar—making them the largest construction printers ever deployed. The twin schools, each covering 20,000 m² on 100 × 100 m plots, are two-storey edifices designed to showcase scalable, next-gen educational infrastructure. ADVERTISEMENT Extensive preparatory work preceded the launch, including site development, printer assembly and more than 100 full‑scale test prints at a Doha-based trial site using a BOD2 printer. These trials refined concrete mix formulations suited to Qatar's hot climate and developed bespoke nozzles to enhance precision. In May 2025, UCC engineers trained with COBOD specialists in print sequencing, structural layering and on‑site quality management, cementing Qatar's local expertise in advanced construction technology. The project offers clear environmental and operational benefits over conventional construction. By reducing raw material waste, lowering concrete consumption and cutting carbon emissions, 3D printing aligns with sustainable development goals. On‑site production cuts transport requirements and supply chain risk, while round‑the‑clock printing—including overnight operations—helps avoid thermal stress, minimises dust and noise and accelerates timelines. Architectural design draws inspiration from Qatar's landscape: sweeping, dune‑inspired curves are possible only through 3D printing's geometric flexibility—a feat difficult and costly via traditional means. Scheduled to be completed by December 2025, the initiative is expected to redefine sustainable infrastructure while fortifying Qatar's position as a global innovation hub. Co‑founder of COBOD, Henrik Lund‑Nielsen, remarked that this marks both a technological milestone and an environmental turning point in building methodology. A spokesperson at UCC Holding said the venture 'sets a global benchmark' in construction, as Qatar continues to drive pioneering engineering projects across the Gulf.
The Age
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Virgin kicks off Qatar flights partnership to close in on Qantas
Virgin Australia began its long-touted flights partnership with Qatar Airways on Thursday, a move expected to expand choice for Australian consumers while stepping up competition with Qantas. Daily Sydney-Doha connections on Qatar planes will be followed by flights from Brisbane and Perth later this month, and from Melbourne in December, Australia's second-biggest airline announced at an event at Sydney Airport. Under the terms of their 'wet lease' arrangement, Qatar provides aircraft, crew and maintenance to operate the routes, which are sold as Virgin flights. Virgin Australia chief executive Dave Emerson said the move was 'delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience' to Australian travellers. Virgin will sell tickets to 170 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, allowing it to tap Qatar's extensive route network. The alliance is expected to add 2.65 million seats a year on flights from Australia to Doha, Qatar's Middle Eastern hub. The deal extends Virgin's reach just weeks before it plans to relist on the Australian sharemarket. It allows the largely domestic carrier to carefully re-enter long-haul international travel, while Qatar gains deeper access to the Australian market. Loading Doha-based Qatar, which owns 25 per cent of Virgin, will essentially backstop Virgin's position in the domestic market, which has been defined by damaging price wars between Qantas and Virgin, Virgin's placement into administration in 2020 and the collapse of smaller players, such as regional carrier Rex Airlines last year. Qatar has tried to expand its business in Australia for more than a decade. The Middle Eastern airline sought permission for more flights into the country in 2023, and was knocked back. The government's rationale for blocking the request came under fire after reports that Qantas – in the public crosshairs for bad service, withholding COVID credits from customers and illegally firing 1800 employees to save money during the pandemic – had lobbied the government against the competition. Accusations that Qantas engaged in 'slot hoarding' at Sydney Airport, preventing other carriers from accessing the key entry to Australia, have also long simmered.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Virgin kicks off Qatar flights partnership to close in on Qantas
Virgin Australia began its long-touted flights partnership with Qatar Airways on Thursday, a move expected to expand choice for Australian consumers while stepping up competition with Qantas. Daily Sydney-Doha connections on Qatar planes will be followed by flights from Brisbane and Perth later this month, and from Melbourne in December, Australia's second-biggest airline announced at an event at Sydney Airport. Under the terms of their 'wet lease' arrangement, Qatar provides aircraft, crew and maintenance to operate the routes, which are sold as Virgin flights. Virgin Australia chief executive Dave Emerson said the move was 'delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience' to Australian travellers. Virgin will sell tickets to 170 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, allowing it to tap Qatar's extensive route network. The alliance is expected to add 2.65 million seats a year on flights from Australia to Doha, Qatar's Middle Eastern hub. The deal extends Virgin's reach just weeks before it plans to relist on the Australian sharemarket. It allows the largely domestic carrier to carefully re-enter long-haul international travel, while Qatar gains deeper access to the Australian market. Loading Doha-based Qatar, which owns 25 per cent of Virgin, will essentially backstop Virgin's position in the domestic market, which has been defined by damaging price wars between Qantas and Virgin, Virgin's placement into administration in 2020 and the collapse of smaller players, such as regional carrier Rex Airlines last year. Qatar has tried to expand its business in Australia for more than a decade. The Middle Eastern airline sought permission for more flights into the country in 2023, and was knocked back. The government's rationale for blocking the request came under fire after reports that Qantas – in the public crosshairs for bad service, withholding COVID credits from customers and illegally firing 1800 employees to save money during the pandemic – had lobbied the government against the competition. Accusations that Qantas engaged in 'slot hoarding' at Sydney Airport, preventing other carriers from accessing the key entry to Australia, have also long simmered.
