Partnership unites two world-class brands, sharing a commitment to excellence, creativity and global impact
Art Basel makes Middle East debut in Doha next year, marking a new era for art and culture in the region
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is proud to announce a new global partnership with Art Basel, the world’s leading contemporary art fair. This long-term alliance reinforces Qatar Airway’s role as a global connector of people, places, and culture.
As Art Basel’s Premium Partner, Qatar Airways will support all of the fair’s prestigious annual exhibitions – in Basel, Paris, Hong Kong, Miami, as well as its newly launched edition in Qatar. This partnership goes beyond sponsorship and aims to deepen the airline’s connection with a culture- and art-forward global demographic through one of the world’s most respected names in the art world.
The collaboration also marks the exciting introduction of Art Basel into the Middle East, with a new edition launching February 2026 in Doha. This will be the fair’s first presence in the region and highlights Qatar’s growing stature as a regional arts and cultural hub as the nation continues to evolve as a destination that inspires and connects the world through its National Vision 2030 roadmap.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our long-term collaboration with Art Basel goes beyond being just a partnership – it is a strategic alignment between two globally respected brands and a statement on Qatar’s contributions to cultural development and exchange around the globe. Art Basel represents the highest calibre of international artistry and sophistication, and its audience of artists, collectors, and cultural influencers reflects the premium customer base that we serve every day. We are proud to support a platform that shares our values and aspirations on a global scale and in connecting the region with art and ideas from all over the world.”
Art Basel Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Noah Horowitz, said: “We are honoured to partner with Qatar Airways, a premium brand synonymous for world-class hospitality experiences and luxury travel, and truly excited to bring the partnership to life across our global platform, starting in Basel this June. Having just launched our fifth fair in Qatar, we are delighted to join forces with one of the leading Qatari brands to create new experiences and journeys to inspire art lovers and travellers around the world."
Through this partnership, Qatar Airways continues to demonstrate its broader brand ambition to be more than just a carrier, but a catalyst for discovery, inspiration and cultural dialogue.
Art Basel Qatar will be held in collaboration with QC+ and Qatar Sports Investments, reflecting the country’s broader cultural vision and its ambition to host a thriving creative ecosystem. The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar will be held in M7 creative hub and the Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb.
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Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris, and Qatar. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms including the Art Basel App and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, the Art Basel Shop, and the Art Basel Awards. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.
About Qatar Airways
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ for an unprecedented ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. Qatar Airways was previously named the World’s Best Airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.
The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, and has yet again received recognition for ‘World's Best Business Class’, and ‘World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge’. As the leading connector in the region, Qatar Airways has also been lauded with the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ title for the 13 time.
Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for 11 consecutive years, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the third year in a row, as voted by Skytrax. Hamad International Airport has previously been named the ‘World’s Best Airport’ by Skytrax in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Qatar Airways was the first Airline in the Middle East to be certified to the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme, based on recognised environmental management system principles (such as ISO 14001). As an inaugural signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, Qatar Airways became the first airline globally to be certified to the industry standard for the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation.