Qatar Airways, a seven-time winner of the prestigious ‘Skytrax World’s Best Airline’ award (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022), has become the Official Airline Partner and Official Cargo Airline Partner of MotoGP, as part of a new multi-year partnership that kicks off with Le Mans this weekend.
MotoGP showcases 22 of the fastest riders on purpose-built prototype motorcycles, reaching speeds above 360 km/h (223 mph) and lean angles over 60 degrees. Since 1949, the championship has grown to more than 20 Grands Prix across five continents, captivating millions of fans globally. Last month, True Hollywood Talk attended the 2024 MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas at The Circuit of The Americas, celebrating 75 years of MotoGP in Austin, Texas.
With nearly 170 destinations in its network, Qatar Airways makes for an ideal partner for MotoGP. The airline, according to Thursday’s press release, will provide commercial tickets, charter flights, and cargo services for the championship, ensuring seamless travel for MotoGP™ personnel. This partnership will also benefit MotoGP’s freight operations, enabling efficient and sustainable movement of equipment and reducing the sport’s carbon footprint with innovative freight boxes.
Best known for its innovation and commitment to sustainability Qatar Airways was the first Middle Eastern airline to achieve IATA’s highest environmental certification and has been a leader in preventing illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation. Having won ‘World’s Best Business Class’ for the tenth time at the 2023 World Airline Awards, Qatar Airways also received a slate of additional awards at the 2023 Paris Air Show, including ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge,’ and ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining.’
While the Qatar Airways brand will be prominently featured trackside at several MotoGP™ venues, it will also serve as the title sponsor for two major events: the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix later in the season, and the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar in 2023 and 2024. Other entities within the Qatar Airways group are also involved in the partnership, including Qatar Duty Free and Hamad International Airport in Doha, reinforcing Qatar Airways’ comprehensive support for MotoGP™.
“Qatar continues to demonstrate its commitment to being a prominent hub for motorsports… The Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar was the perfect season opener for us to welcome this unique partnership that combines the worlds of aviation and motorsports,” said Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Group Chief Executive Officer at Qatar Airways. He added that by starting the partnership off with the season opener, this new partnership between MotoGP and the airline will only propel them forward.
“We’re very happy to welcome Qatar Airways as official airline and confirm this new agreement. MotoGP is a global sport and to move across the world as we do, a partner like Qatar Airways has overwhelming value for our personnel, our freight and the whole paddock. Efficiency and excellence are words we live by and the same is true for Qatar Airways. There is no better partner to become the official airline of MotoGP,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP™ rights holder Dorna Sports.
Dorna Sports, the commercial and television rights holder of MotoGP™, has expanded its portfolio to include Moto2™, Moto3™, MotoE™, the Superbike World Championship, and the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship. In early April, Liberty Media Corporation, who owns Formula One, announced that it would be acquiring all of the commercial rights to MotoGP™, adding the motorcycle racing series to its expansive portfolio of live sports and entertainment assets by the end of 2024.
