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Qatar Airways CEO says will keep flying but warns cash is running out
Qatar Airways will continue to operate flights as long as necessary to get stranded travelers home, Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker told Reuters on Sunday, but warned that the carrier could soon run out of cash.
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Qatar Airways Airbus A380. Qatar Airways flights from Doha to the U.S. will now follow a strict no-gadgets rule. The only exception? Your phone. (shutterstock.com/Dmitry Birin /File)
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atar Airways will have to seek government support eventually, Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker told Reuters on Sunday, warning the Middle East carrier could soon run out of cash needed to continue flying.
Several state have already stepped in to help airlines that have seen demand decimated almost overnight by the coronavirus outbreak, with the United States offering $58 billion in aid.
Qatar Airways is one of few airlines continuing to maintain scheduled commercial passenger services and over the next two weeks expects to operate 1,800 flights.
"We have receive many requests from governments all over the world, embassies in certain countries, requesting Qatar Airways not to stop flying," Baker said by phone from Doha.
Read also: 'Nasi goreng' a hit on Qatar Airways flights
The state-owned carrier is operating flights to Europe, Asia and Australia, ferrying passengers home who have been left stranded by the pandemic that has seen many countries close their borders.
"We will fly as long as it is necessary and we have requests to get stranded people to their homes, provided the airspace is open and the airport are open," Baker said.
However, he warned the airline was burning through cash and only had enough to sustain operations for a "very short period of time".
"We will surely go to our government eventually for equity."
