Qatar World Cup 2022: ‘Book flights two years ahead,’ urges airline boss

Travellers planning long-haul journeys in the run-up to Christmas 2022 face much higher fares due to the World Cup. After the success of the World Cup 2018 in Russia, the next global football tournament will be held in the tiny Gulf state in four years’ time. Due to the extreme heat in June and July, the competition has been shifted to November and December, with the final to be held just one week before Christmas. Qatar Airways, as the national carrier, has made commitments to Fifa for operating flights for officials, teams and media. The usual pattern in a World Cup host nation is for a massive surge in demand for departures in the two or three days after the final, which will be on 18 December. Normally at this time of year, Qatar’s hub at Doha is extremely busy with travellers from Britain and the rest of Europe connecting for flights to Asia, Africa and Australasia over Christmas and the New Year. Akbar Al Baker, CE of Qatar Airways, warned that other airlines will exploit his carrier’s commitments to Fifa to raise fares for such passengers. He said: “It will be a huge pressure on the airline, to cater not only for Fifa but also to cater for the passengers that will be travelling over the Christmas rush period.” Al Baker urged travellers to be prepared for higher prices as other airlines seized upon the reduction in competition, saying: “You have to make sure you have enough money kept aside.<br/>