Red Arrows wow Doha with dazzling display as Qatar Airways turns 20

Agencies
October 1, 2017

Doha, Oct 1: Thousands of people watched in admiration as a Qatar Airways aircraft flew in formation over Doha with the world-famous Red Arrows aerobatic display team, an event taking place as the airline celebrates its twentieth anniversary.

The event, hosted by the British Ambassador to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Mr. Ajay Sharma, and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, included a number of other ambassadors as well as Qatar’s Minister of Municipality and Environment, His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, and Chairman of Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Mr. Abdullah bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey. Many representatives of the Qatar British Business Association were also present to celebrate the auspicious occasion, which included an incredible display over Doha’s sweeping corniche from the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, which offered ideal views of the fly-by.

The thrilling display took place in the skies above Doha as a state-of-the-art Qatar Airways Airbus A350, for which the airline was the global launch customer, flew in formation with the British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) iconic Red Arrows. Their distinctive fleet of Hawk jets were on hand to display the speed, agility and precision of the RAF and fly in their trademark diamond nine formation to join in the salute to Qatar Airways and its 20 years of operations.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “It has been an honour to have one of Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350 aircraft join forces with the world-famous Red Arrows and take part in today’s historic fly-by over the impressive Doha skyline.

“The Red Arrows have helped Qatar Airways celebrate in style with a thrilling display to mark our twentieth anniversary. In just two decades, Qatar Airways has exceeded all expectations, to rise from humble beginnings to become one of the world’s leading and most admired airlines. This year we were named Airline of the Year by Skytrax, which is the fourth time we have won this prestigious award.

“I am very proud of all that Qatar Airways has achieved in the past 20 years and as we embark on the next 20 years I look forward to continuing to demonstrate the passion, innovation and award-winning customer service that we have become renowned for.”

The British Ambassador to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Mr. Ajay Sharma, said: “I am delighted with the welcome that the UK’s Red Arrows have received during their visit to Qatar this weekend. Residents and visitors alike have come out in force to see the air display, demonstrating the close relationship between our two countries. I am glad that the Red Arrows’ visit coincides with Qatar Airways’ twentieth anniversary celebrations. Qatar Airways is an important partner for us and plays a key role in moving UK-Qatar relations forward.”

The fly-by and special aerobatics display had been carefully planned in advance by Qatar Airways and the Red Arrows, working in partnership the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA). Also involved in the careful preparations were the Ministry of Defence, the Emiri Guard and Qatar Civil Defence representatives.

Qatar Airways’ flight operations experts produced a special flight plan that enabled one of the airline’s Airbus A350 aircraft, capable of carrying up to 283 passengers, to fly empty in close formation with the Red Arrows Hawk jets. The highly-agile jets can fly at speeds of up to 1,028 km per hour or Mach 0.84. Qatar Airways Chief Flight Operations Officer, Captain Konstantinos, was at the helm of the A350 to fly the state-of-the-art aircraft throughout the impressive display.

The nine-strong fleet of Red Arrows aircraft and their pilots visited Qatar as part of an extensive global tour, acting as ambassadors for the United Kingdom to promote ‘the best of British’ goods and services. Since they were formed in 1965, the Red Arrows have performed over 4,700 displays in 56 countries worldwide.

Also on display was a Rolls Royce Trent XWB engine used on the Qatar Airways Airbus A350.

Following its re-launch in 1997, Qatar Airways has become one of the fastest growing carriers in the history of aviation with unprecedented expansion averaging double digit growth year on year. Now the 2017 Airline of the Year, as awarded by Skytrax, has a host of exciting new destinations planned for the remainder of this year and 2018, including Canberra, Australia, Chiang Mai, Thailand and Cardiff, U.K. to name just a few.

As well as being voted Skytrax Best Airline by travellers from around the world, Qatar’s national flag carrier also won a raft of other major awards at the ceremony, including Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.

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News Network
November 27,2025

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday announced that he will convene a high-level meeting in New Delhi with senior leaders — including Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar — to resolve the escalating leadership turmoil in Karnataka and “put an end to the confusion.”

Kharge said the discussions would focus on the way forward for the ruling party, as rumours of a possible leadership change continue to swirl. The speculation has intensified after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, reviving talk of an alleged 2023 “power-sharing agreement” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

“After reaching Delhi, I will call three or four important leaders and hold discussions. Once we talk, we will decide how to move ahead and end this confusion,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru, according to PTI.

When asked specifically about calling Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi, he responded: “Certainly, we should call them. We will discuss with them and settle the issue.”

He confirmed that Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and other senior members would be part of the deliberations. “After discussing with everyone, a decision will be made,” he said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah held a separate strategy meeting at his Bengaluru residence with ministers and leaders seen as his close confidants, including G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, K. Venkatesh and K.N. Rajanna.
Signalling calm, the Chief Minister told reporters, “Will go to Delhi if the high command calls.”

Shivakumar echoed a similar stance, saying he too would head to the national capital if summoned by the party leadership.

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News Network
November 22,2025

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The Israeli regime’s forces have killed two Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip every day since the ceasefire began in early October, UNICEF has warned.

The UN children’s agency said on Friday that Israeli forces continue to attack Palestinians in Gaza even though the agreement was meant to stop the killing.

“Since 11 October, while the ceasefire has been in effect, at least 67 children have been killed in conflict-related incidents in the Gaza Strip. Dozens more have been injured. That is an average of almost two children killed every day since the ceasefire took effect,” UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said in Geneva, reminding that each number in the statistics represents a child whose life had ended violently.

“These are not statistics,” he said. “Each child had a story, a family, and a future that was stolen from them.”

Data from Palestinian factions, human rights groups, and government bodies recorded since the US-brokered ceasefire deal went into effect on October 10 show that Israeli forces have carried out numerous attacks, each constituting a separate ceasefire violation.

UNICEF teams say they repeatedly continue to witness heart-wrenching scenes of fearful Palestinian children sleeping outdoors with amputated limbs, while others live as orphans in flooded, makeshift shelters.

“I saw this myself in August. There is no safe place for them. The world cannot normalize their suffering,” Pires said, lamenting that the UN could “do a lot more if the aid that is really needed was entering faster.”

The UNICEF spokesperson warned that with the advent of winter, the risks for hundreds of thousands of displaced children will increase.

He warned, “The stakes are incredibly high” for children as winter acts as a threat multiplier, where children have no heating, no insulation, and few blankets. He said respiratory infections rise.

“Too many children have already paid the highest price,” Pires said. “Too many are still paying it, even under a ceasefire. The world promised them it would stop and that we would protect them.”

“Now we must act like it,” the UNICEF spokesperson added.

Since the Israeli regime launched its genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023, it has killed nearly 70,000 people in the territory, most of them women and children, and injured over 170,000 more, while reducing most of the structures in the enclave to rubble.

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News Network
November 21,2025

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An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday, November 21, afternoon during its aerial demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, plunging to the ground at around 2:10 pm local time while performing a manoeuvre before thousands of spectators.

The IAF confirmed the incident, stating that a Tejas aircraft participating in the show had crashed and that further details were being gathered. An Air Force spokesperson said more information would be shared after initial assessments.

The crash sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky near the airport, causing panic among visitors, including families and children who had gathered to watch the display. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the pilot managed to eject before the aircraft went down. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene, and officials have not released information on casualties or damage so far.

The Tejas is a 4.5-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed for versatility, it is capable of offensive air support, close combat, ground attack missions and maritime operations. The aircraft family includes single-seat fighters and twin-seat trainers for both the Air Force and Navy.

HAL describes the latest version, the LCA Mk1A, as the most advanced in the series, featuring an AESA radar, an upgraded electronic warfare suite with radar-warning and self-protection jamming, smart multifunction displays, a digital map generator, a combined interrogator–transponder system and a modern radio altimeter. These enhancements significantly improve the aircraft’s combat capability and survivability.

Further updates from IAF and UAE authorities are awaited.

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