A blistering attack on BAA for the "unfair move being forced on airlines" required to switch terminals at London Heathrow has been launched by Qatar Airways' chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker.
The airline, he said, was "reluctantly", moving later this year from T3 to T4, claiming that the enforced switch to be anti competitive, giving British Airways an unfair advantage over its rivals. The Heathrow Express no longer stops at T4, but continues to BA's T5.
The Doha-based carrier was investigating "avenues" it could take, with Al Baker not ruling out a legal challenge. "Why is BA being given an advantage?" he asked. "There was already a rail link to T4 when the flag carrier was based there, but that link no longer exists for the Heathrow Express."
"The UK prides itself on being a country of equal opportunity, yet BAA seems to be treating us in an unequal way.
"Our passengers will have to get off at T3, and change trains to travel on to T4. I accept that British Airways is the national carrier and should enjoy certain privileges, but other airlines should not be put at a competitive disadvantage. Why can't BAA arrange for alternate trains to stop at T4 - it is not as though the line does not already exist" he added.
He confirmed that designs were currently underway for a dedicated First and Business Class lounge at Heathrow, Qatar's first outside Doha, where it operates its much acclaimed Premium Terminal.