Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to push their partnership to the next phase, offering an extended codeshare programme and benefits programme to travellers, starting October 16, 2025.
Next Phase Partnership: Expanded Regional Market Development
Following Qatar’s launch of the Doha – Guangzhou flight in April 2024, this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pushes forward the partnership of the two airlines, offering frequent flyer benefits to members of both membership schemes and offering a new destination at Beijing Daxing Airport.
Mr. Thierry Antinori, Qatar Airways Group’s commercial officer, thinks of this as the next step to expanding into regional markets:
” This latest expansion ensures that every Qatar Airways route to China is now accessible to China Southern Airlines’ passengers, underlining our long-term commitment to a market that is integral to our growth and connectivity. Timed with this year’s Golden Week, it provides Chinese travellers with unrivalled access through Doha to over 170 destinations across our global network via Hamad International Airport, the Best Airport in the Middle East, as voted by Skytrax in 2025.”
Mr. Han Wensheng, the president of China Southern Airlines, mentioned this as part of their strategy for the “Belt and Road Initiative,” China’s economic initiative to extend partnership into the Middle East region:
“Beijing Daxing is a cornerstone of China Southern’s international development, and the launch of new Doha services further strengthens its role alongside our existing operations from Guangzhou.”
More About Qatar Airways
Crowned the ‘World’s Best Airline’ again by Skytrax in 2025, Qatar Airways has always been an industry-leading airline. With continuous regional partnership with increasing destinations and offers, Qatar is continuously expanding into regional markets with different codeshare programmes, while guaranteeing industry-leading service quality.
What do you think about this new codeshare programme? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts.
