Motorcycling's elite MotoGP competition has announced Qatar Airways, the state-owned national airline carrier of the Gulf state, as its new official cargo airline partner.
The multi-year global partnership will see Qatar Airways provide both passenger and cargo transport services for MotoGP, including chartered flights for MotoGP staff, commercial airline tickets, and freight transport with new and reduced freight boxes aimed at heightening MotoGP efficiency.
MotoGP travels across five continents to its over 20 annual races, with Qatar Airways now poised to support the touring series in its endeavors.
The partnership will also come with sponsorship inventory provided to Qatar Airways, with the airline to take trackside branding at a number of races across the tour. It will also serve as the title sponsor of the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, one of the tour’s biggest events, having already sponsored the 2023 and 2024 Qatar Grands Prix.
This year's MotoGP Australian Grand Prix will take place on October 20 at the Phillip Island Circuit.
Speaking on the partnership, Qatar Airways group chief executive officer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer stated: “Qatar continues to demonstrate its commitment to being a prominent hub for motorsports, and our new partnership with MotoGP only propels us forward.
“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. Qatar Airways’ and Qatar Airways Cargo’s global networks will serve as the perfect medium for fans to connect with their favorite racing teams and make the upcoming seasons truly exceptional."
Beyond the annual Qatar Grand Prix of MotoGP, Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit also hosts races from motorracing's Formula 1 (F1), Formula 2, Formula 4, F1 Academy, FIA World Endurance Championship, and more.
Most prominently, it hosts the annual F1 Qatar Grand Prix, with Qatar Airways expanding its presence in that series in September through sponsorship of the BWT Alpine F1 Team.
In April, F1 owner Liberty Media announced the purchase of Dorna Sports, the commercial rights-holder and organizer of MotoGP, uniting the two tours under one owner for the first time, and entrenching Qatar’s relationship with global motorsports’ top tours.
