Qatar is looking forward to a great rush of football fans arriving in the country for the World Cup at the end of the year.
In order to ensure to ensure a smooth flow of passengers entering and leaving Qatar, airlines from many GCC countries have teamed up to create an air bridge to fly the fans to watch games during November and December.
Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, gave a peek into how the airlines will cope with the rush of football fans. Oman Airlines would operate up to 48 flights per day, Saudi Airlines would operate 40 flights per day, Fly Dubai would operate 60 flights per day, and Kuwait Airways will organize 16 flights to carry 1,700 supporters each day.
“Etihad Airways” and “Air Arabia,” according to Al Baker, may join the Gulf airlines’ cooperation agreement to offer rapid transport service to Qatar.
Qatar Airways and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which is in charge of organizing the World Cup 2022, recently announced the launch of a shuttle flying program for one-day fans from GCC countries, which would carry 18,000 supporters daily to World Cup matches.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, stated that during the 2022 World Cup, the business would operate 30 daily flights (60 round journeys) between Dubai and Doha. Moreover, Dubai Airport will dedicate a special pavilion for supporters.
The demand for tickets
The World Cup will draw a massive crowd with the International Football Association stating that it had received more than 23.5 million requests to purchase tickets for the 2022 World Cup.
According to FIFA, there is a huge demand for tickets in Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
FIFA, after receiving the requests, stated that it would check them through the FIFA Ticket Office to ensure that they comply with local sales regulations and restrictions before allocating them. Furthermore, if the total number of requests exceeds the available stock of tickets for domestic or international customers, then FIFA will be drawing lots to allot the tickets
He noted that ticket applicants would be notified of the results of their applications through e-mail beginning on May 31, coinciding with the commencement of the payment period, and they will be given instructions and a deadline for paying the value of the allotted tickets.
Ticket cost
A flight from Dubai to Doha and back on the same day ranges between $800 and $ 1,200.
Flights between Riyadh and Doha cost slightly more, ranging from $900 to $1,300.
Ticket costs fluctuate depending on various criteria, the most important being the number of seats available per day.
The rates are expected to skyrocket. For example, a return flight tick between Dubai and Doha on December 18, the day of the final game, will cost upwards of $1,500.