In the same week that Qatar Airways exceeded the 5,000,000 Facebook fan milestone, reaffirming its position as the second most “liked” global carrier, the five-star airline won an award for the “Best Use of Emerging Platform” for 2014 by leading aviation marketing consultancy, SimpliFlying.
Qatar Airways leapt into second most liked airline on Facebook earlier this month, has surpassed more than 300,000 followers on Twitter and gained third place among airlines on Instagram, demonstrating an ever-increasing and successful online engagement with its fan base.
The fast-growing airline has has generated a dramatic increase in social media followers over the last few months, particularly as it has developed its global partnership with one of the world’s best football clubs, FC Barcelona, and capitalised on major events such as the arrival of its first A380 super-jumbo in Doha last week.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “Social media has undoubtedly opened up the channels of communication between Qatar Airways and our passengers. It is through our various social media channels that we have had a fantastic opportunity to engage with our passengers in new and innovative ways, and we look forward to bringing even more exciting initiatives to our followers, both those that already follow us, and those that hopefully will soon.”
Alongside generating revenue for the airline, Qatar Airways has undertaken a range of initiatives to engage its fans on social media and build a stronger bond with them.
In appreciation of these initiatives, Qatar Airways was nominated and then won Best Use of Emerging Platforms at the 5th Annual SimpliFlying Awards held recently in New York. To win the award, Qatar Airways needed to demonstrate how a particular social media platform – Instagram and Pinterest – were used to drive marketing goals for the airline.
The rigorous awards process at SimpliFlying consists of public voting and judging by a distinguished panel of thought leaders in the travel marketing space. Launched in 2010, the Annual SimpliFlying Awards have become an authoritative voice on the best social media practices by airlines and airports.
This is the second year in a row that the airline has been recognised by SimpliFlying, having taken home Best Emerging Airline on Social Media in 2013.