QATARAirways has unveiled details of a new loyalty programme to increase passengers on its expanded winter network from the UK (Travel Weekly August 30).
From October 31, the airline is to make its one-stop, four-times weekly flight, from Heathrow to Kathmandu into a daily operation.
Qatar will offer passengers membership of its Adventure Club which will provide a personal service at Heathrow, Doha – Qatar’s hub – and Kathmandu, where customers will get priority check-in and additional baggage allowance.
Passengers also qualify for discounts in Kathmandu hotels and for tours and activities in the Himalayas.
The airline has not ruled out using members’ information to directly market the club to passengers.
Speaking at the launch of Adventure Club, Qatar chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways is not in any way intending to replace the functions that professional tour operators and retailers perform.”
Operators already offering packages including tours could take advantage of Qatar’s Adventure Club, he continued.
The club also aims to promote the carrier as the preferred choice to Nepal from Europe.
Meanwhile, Qatar is to ban smoking on its network from Friday.