Thousands Turn Out To Cheer On World's Leading Golfers In Doha

29 January 2008

Qatar Masters 2008 champion, Australia's Adam Scott is presented with his winning trophy by Qatar Golf Association president Hassan al-Nuaimi flanked by Qatar Airways cabin crew.

Doha, QATAR – As Official Airline of this year’s Qatar Masters held at the Doha Golf Club, Qatar Airways hailed the event as the most successful tournament in its 11-year history.

The airline flew players and officials to Qatar for the Championship event, which featured a Pro-Am round as well as the professional tournament over five days.

Thousands of spectators turned out to watch some of the world’s best golfers battle it out for the ‘Mother of Pearl’ trophy with total prize money worth US$2.5 million – the richest in the tournament’s history.

Australia’s Adam Scott ripped up the course record with a sensational final round of 61 over 18 holes to take home the US$416,660 winner’s cheque and a luxury car. He romped home to a three-shot win over Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club loyalty team fielded a team for the Pro-Am tournament with professionals, amateurs and celebrities joining in the fun. Qatar Airways also hosted a putting competition for spectators with prizes on offer including a holiday to Amman, and two prizes of 15,000 and 6,000 Qmiles provided by the Privilege Club.

Qatar Airways had a dedicated hospitality suite for invitees and there was also an outdoor exhibition booth for visitors to learn more about the airline and its expansion plans.

Qatar Airways' putting competition on the sidelines of the Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club attracted scores of visitors.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker hailed the event, which attracted spectators and TV viewers from around the world. “Golf truly has helped put Qatar firmly on the international sporting calendar and the tremendous response at this year’s Masters will ensure the tournament remains a firm fixture for years to come,” he said.

“This year’s event has been exciting and challenging and congratulations go out to Adam Scott for his achievement. Qatar Airways wishes him all the best for the coming year and looks forward to welcoming him back to Doha to defend his title in 2009.”

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 60 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 81 destinations worldwide.

Beginning March 31, Qatar Airways will launch services from Doha to the southern Chinese industrial city of Guangzhou and expand the number of flights to a host of other destinations in the airline’s rapidly growing network.

Frequency To Germany's Capital Increases To Seven Flights A Week

New Services Effective 1 February 2008 As Total Capacity To Germany Rises To 24 Services A Week

27 January 2008

Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate

Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways is expanding operations in Germany by stepping up frequency between Doha and Berlin to daily scheduled services, effective February 1.

From four to seven flights a week, the award-winning airline will offer business and leisure travellers to and from Berlin with more greater choice and more convenience.

The additional frequencies will also offer passengers with immediate connections in Doha, to Qatar Airways’ extensive network of flights covering the Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Far East.

With the extra flights into Berlin Tegel International Airport – a route which was launched just over two years ago – Qatar Airways’ capacity to Germany will now step up to 24 flights a week spread across Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich.

The route will continue to be operated with an Airbus A319 in a two-class configuration of eight seats in Business and 102 in Economy. Qatar Airways remains the only airline from the Gulf region to fly to Berlin, one of Europe’s historic and most fascinating cities.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said he was delighted to see yet another capacity hike, which will facilitate closer ties between Qatar and Germany.

“The Berlin route has performed exceptionally well since its launch two years ago and we are pleased to strengthen our presence in the German market, which already includes 10 services a week to Frankfurt and daily flights to Munich.”

Al Baker added that the increase in number of flights between Doha and Berlin will give more passengers the opportunity to use Qatar Airways’ award-winning Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport. The terminal is for exclusive use of Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers departing from Doha or transiting through the city.

The Premium Terminal features a Five-Star welcome and check in service, as well as a variety of top-end facilities including spa treatments and jacuzzis, exclusive duty-free shopping, a state-of-the-art business centre and fine dining options. Built in just nine months, the US$90 million terminal is the world’s first commercial passenger building dedicated to First and Business Class passengers.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 60 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 81 destinations worldwide.

Beginning March 31, Qatar Airways will launch services from Doha to the southern Chinese industrial city of Guangzhou and expand the number of flights to a host of other destinations in the airline's rapidly growing network.

Notes to Editors:

Qatar Airways is one of only six airlines in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways’ cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fifth year running in 2007 following a survey of more than 15 million passengers worldwide. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com

Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways took another step into the history books today with the delivery of its first Boeing aircraft as part of the airline’s aggressive expansion strategy into the next decade.

The first of Qatar Airways’ 32 Boeing 777 aircraft arrived at Doha International Airport this afternoon following its long flight from Seattle with airline management, senior Boeing executives and US media onboard.

The arrival of the Boeing 777-300 Extended Range passenger aircraft was greeted with a water salute ceremony followed by a press conference hosted by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker and Boeing’s vice-president sales for the Middle East, Lee Monson.

Qatar Airways first Boeing 777 aircraft arrives in Doha to a water salute ceremony at Doha International Airport

The 335-seat aircraft features 42 seats in Business Class in a 2–2–2 configuration, each offering a generous pitch of 78 inches and individual TV screens measuring 15.4 inches. Economy Class has 293 seats in a 3–3–3 configuration with a 32-inch pitch and 10.6- inch TV screens, designed to offer optimum viewing. Both Business and Economy class cabins offer in-seat PC power supply.

The aircraft also features a revamped inflight entertainment system, Oryx Entertainment, offering each passenger more than 700 entertainment options.

Qatar Airways has confirmed orders for fourteen Boeing 777-300ERs, six 777-200LRs and seven 777-200Fs, with deliveries running until mid-2010. There are options for a further five Boeing 777 aircraft. The two passenger Boeing 777 variants will facilitate a major expansion in the airline’s long haul passenger network.

The Boeing 777-200 freighters, which will be delivered from 2009, provide outstanding economics enabling

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is pictured centre in the cockpit of the airline's newly-delivered Boeing 777 aircraft. With him are the first Qatari flight captains of the Boeing 777 - Captain Amin Qush (left) and Captain Mohammed Al Khayareen

Qatar Airways to build up an efficient cargo hub linking Europe and Asia, supplemented by its regional wide-body freighters.

Earlier this month, Qatar Airways strengthened its relationship with Boeing by confirming orders for 30 of the company’s next generation Boeing 787 aircraft with options for a further 30. The airline will become the first Middle East carrier to operate both Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the arrival of the first Boeing 777 in Qatar Airways’ colours marked the start of what promised to be a long and fruitful relationship with one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers.

“This year has been an historic year for Qatar Airways for many reasons,” he said.

“Qatar Airways launched flights to the United States for the first time during 2007 with scheduled flights to New York and Washington, we placed orders for 92 Boeing aircraft comprising the 787s and 777s and are proud and delighted to see the first of our Boeing planes arrive in Doha today in what is our 10^th year of operations.

“With a capability of flying 16 hours non-stop, the Boeing 777 truly does provide Qatar Airways with global coverage, linking Doha with any city worldwide.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is pictured, right, showing guests round the airline's new Boeing 777 aircraft. With him are from left, Abdullah Subai, of the Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar; Mohammed Lamadani of General Electric; Mrs Monson, wife of Lee Monson, Boeing's vice-president sales Middle East, who is also pictured

“Our first first Boeing 777 will be deployed on the Doha – Washington route from January 2008, by which time the airline takes delivery of its second Boeing 777. Until then, the aircraft will fly selected regional routes across the Middle East.

“The Boeing 777s offer the greatest levels of space and comfort across our long-haul fleet. With a 78-inch Business Class pitch, our 42 premium seats are undoubtedly the best in the region. And our 293 seats in Economy offer the greatest levels of comfort in this cabin than any other airline in the region.”

Added Al Baker: “But it’s not all about seat comfort and space. Hospitality and the highest standards of service are our hallmark at Qatar Airways. We are delighted to be among a select-few airlines in the world to introduce the next generation in-flight entertainment systems – the Panasonic eX2 – onboard our Boeing 777s.

“With more than 700 audio and video entertainment options, we have an unrivalled selection for passengers to choose from. More than 150 international movies, over 50 games and hundreds of hours of video and audio programming – this clearly is a ‘Multiplex in the Sky’.”

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is pictured addressing media at a press conference following the arrival of the airline's first Boeing 777 aircraft at Doha International Airport

Doha-based Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of 59 aircraft to 80 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Far East and North America.

Qatar Airways is one of only five airlines in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways’ cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fifth year running in 2007 following a survey of more than 12 million passengers. During the 2006/07 financial year, Qatar Airways carried more than 8 million passengers worldwide. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com

The launch of the US flights was the highlight of Qatar Airways’ route expansion programme during 2007, which has already seen Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Chennai, Geneva, Nagpur and Stockholm added to the carrier’s burgeoning network.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is pictured centre with airline and Boeing officials. From left to right; Captain Abdullah Johar, Captain Mohammed Al Khayareen, Captain Amin Qush and Boeing's vice-president sales for Middle East, Lee Monson

Notes to Editors:

Qatar Airways will have a fleet of 110 aircraft by 2015 – almost double the existing size. Qatar Airways has ordered 80 Airbus A350s, together with 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s. The airline is a launch customer of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from 2010. Qatar Airways moves to the New Doha International Airport in 2009, when the first phase of the new facility opens. For more information, visit www.ndiaproject.com

Earlier this year, Qatar Airways’ award-winning Privilege Club won an unprecedented eight accolades at the annual US-based Freddie Awards, designed to honour loyalty programmes across the global travel industry. For more information, visit www.qmiles.com

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6 January 2008

Andy Murray and his winning trophy

Doha, QATAR – British number one Andy Murray powered his way to clinch the Qatar ExxonMobil Tennis Open last night, the first tennis tournament of the year which Qatar Airways was proud to be the Official Airline.

The world number 11 from Scotland beat Stanislas Wawrinka, of Switzerland in a three-set marathon final held at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha. Following his defeat in last year’s final, Murray returned to Qatar to win his fourth ATP Tour title in front of a packed centre court.

As Official Airline of the prestigious event, Qatar Airways was proud to fly players and officials to the week-long tournament, with total prize money worth US$1.5 million on offer. The event was held ahead of the first major Grand Slam of the year – the Australian Open taking place in Melbourne later this month.

Qatar Airways cabin crew were on hand to give away gifts to spectators in the grounds of the complex.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the airline was proud to once again be part of the first major sporting tennis tournament of the year in Qatar.

“This was a fantastic tournament which brought out the crowds and it was great to see a thrilling final on a wonderful night of tennis,” he said.

“On behalf of Qatar Airways, congratulations go out to Andy Murray and all the very best to him as he now prepares to conquer the Australian Open.”

Sport plays a key role in everyday life and Qatar Airways is proud to commit to supporting sport as part of its ongoing marketing and communications strategy.

Notes to Editors:

Qatar Airways operates a modern fleet of 60 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 81 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Far East and North America from its hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.

The airline is one of only six in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways’ cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fifth year running in 2007 following a survey of more than 15 million passengers worldwide. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com

Doha-based Qatar Airways will have a fleet of 110 aircraft by 2013 – almost double the existing size. Qatar Airways has ordered 80 Airbus A350s, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter having started in November 2007. The airline is a launch customer of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from 2010. Qatar Airways moves to the New Doha International Airport in 2009, when the first phase of the new facility opens. For more information, visit www.ndiaproject.com