Aviation History
Qatar Airways was founded in 1993 and relaunched under new state ownership and leadership in the mid-1990s, growing rapidly into one of the world's leading long-haul carriers from its Doha hub. The airline joined the Oneworld alliance in 2013 and moved into the newly built Hamad International Airport in 2014, but a 2017-2021 diplomatic blockade by neighboring Gulf states closed regional airspace to it — a reminder that regional politics can still disrupt its network even though relations have since normalized.
Established on 22 November 1993 and began commercial operations on 20 January 1994 with two Airbus A310s.
Restructured under full Qatari state backing, with Akbar Al Baker taking the helm as CEO to drive an aggressive expansion strategy.
Qatar Airways became a Oneworld member on 29 October 2013, integrating its network with major global partners.
On 27 May 2014 the airline relocated its Doha hub from the old Doha International Airport to the newly opened Hamad International Airport.
Qatar Airways became the launch customer for the Airbus A350 XWB, taking delivery of its first aircraft on 22 December 2014.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar and barred Qatar Airways from their airspace starting June 2017, forcing costly rerouting.
The regional airspace restrictions were lifted in January 2021 following the Al-Ula reconciliation agreement, restoring Qatar Airways' regional routes.
Qatar Airways · Qatar Executive
Wikipedia, Qatar Airways corporate history; note the 2017-2021 blockade reflects a resolved but historically significant regional dispute