Monday 06 August 2007

 

Doha, QATAR - Qatar Airways today announced further expansion into India this year with the launch of scheduled flights to Nagpur and Ahmedabad to take the airline's network of cities served across the country to eight.

Starting September 23, the Doha-based carrier will launch twice-weekly flights to the central Indian city of Nagpur, located in the State of Maharashtra. Nagpur, with a population of over two million people, is known for its farming belt and orange-growing centre. International companies have begun looking at Nagpur as India's next base of technological excellence.

Qatar Airways will be the only full-service scheduled international airline flying to Nagpur.

Almost three months later, beginning December 12, Qatar Airways will start daily operations between Doha and Ahmedabad in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The city is Gujarat's largest and the state's cultural and commercial capital. Ahmedabad established itself as the home of the booming textile industry, earning it the nickname, the 'Manchester of the East' and was at the forefront of the Indian independence movement.

 

 

Both routes will be operated with an Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in Economy.

Qatar Airways currently operates 42 flights a week to six cities across India - seven services a week to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Trivandrum and Hyderabad. The addition of Nagpur and Ahmedabad take the airline's Indian capacity from 42 services a week to 51 across eight cities.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said India was a key part of the airline's growth strategy, reflected by the fact that it currently has the most number of destinations than any other country in the network.

"Our customers have been eagerly awaiting the launch of our Nagpur flights for several months. I am now delighted to announce that Nagpur will finally be part of our international map from September 23. Following on from our highly successful daily Mumbai flights, Nagpur will become Qatar Airways' second gateway city in Maharashtra, giving our passengers greater choice."

 

 

Nagpur is an extremely resource-rich region of Maharashtra offering tremendous business opportunities as it is also one of India's largest inland container transport hubs. A new economic zone and airport are being planned in the city.

Added Al Baker: "Ahmedabad is one of India's largest industrial centres, enjoying a strong reputation as an important base for commerce, trade and industry. Both Nagpur and Ahmedabad will provide excellent connections for our passengers from the Middle East, Africa, Europe and United States."

Al Baker applauded the Indian government's policy of opening up its aviation industry to more domestic and international competition which, he said, was good for the consumer. Bilateral relations between Qatar and India, he said, were strengthening and the additional routes only reinforced the commitment between both countries to step up their ties.

With the growth of the Indian economy into a potential global powerhouse and Qatar's drive to spread its economic wings, increasing air links between the two countries is of paramount importance. Bilateral trade between India and Qatar has an estimated value of just US$1 billion, the majority represented by the export of $690m worth of Qatari liquid natural gas (LNG) to India.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 58 all-Airbus aircraft to 78 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East, Indian subcontinent and North America. The highlight of this year's expansion has been the launch of flights to New York (Newark) and Washington DC - the airline's first move into the North American market.

With a growing international network, more travellers have an opportunity to use Qatar Airways' Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and Business Class passengers.

The Premium Terminal features facilities including a spa, jacuzzi, exclusive duty free shopping, business centre and fine dining restaurants. 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 and offers departing and transit passengers an excellent opportunity to relax and unwind prior to their flight.

DOHA - NAGPUR Schedules:

Route	Days	Flight Number	Departure	Arrival
Doha - Nagpur	Wed, Sun	QR288	2200	0430*
Nagpur - Doha	Mon, Thur	QR289	0535	0705

 

Tuesday 26 June 2007

 

Geneva, SWITZERLAND – Qatar Airways today launched scheduled flights to Geneva – its second destination in Switzerland – flying onwards to New York (Newark) and signalling the airline’s maiden services to the United States.

Flight QR083 from Doha arrived at Geneva International Airport this afternoon to a ‘fireman’s salute’ water arch ceremony, followed by traditional Swiss music and entertainment. The flight later continued its journey to New York.

A number of government, business and media VIP dignitaries from Qatar and the GCC countries was onboard, hosted by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker.

Guests included the US Ambassador to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Chase Untermeyer.

 

 

Geneva State Councillor and Chairman of the Airport Board, François Longchamp and Airport Chief Executive Officer Robert Deillon were among the dignitaries at the welcome ceremony to receive the flight.

The Doha – Geneva – New York (Newark) route is served four-times-a-week with the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A330 aircraft in a three-class configuration.

Both Geneva and New York take the airline’s international route network to 77 cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Far East and America. The carrier operates a modern fleet of 58 all-Airbus aircraft.

On arrival in Geneva, Al Baker said: “I am delighted to see Qatar Airways launch its second route in Switzerland with the addition today of Geneva. And as we fly onto New York, Qatar Airways’ first American destination, we are giving our passengers from Switzerland a greater choice of destinations to choose from.

 

 

“I would like to personally thank the Swiss authorities for granting us the rights to fly to Geneva and beyond to the United States. I am sure our new direct route linking Doha with Geneva and onwards to New York will open up excellent opportunities for business and leisure travellers across our network.

“2007 truly is an eventful year for Qatar Airways with nine new routes opening up during the course of the 12 months.”

Qatar Airways has already launched services to Bali, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Chennai and Ho Chi Minh City this year.

The airline’s A330 used on the Doha – Geneva – New York route features 12 seats in First Class – seats that convert into flat beds – 18 seats in Business Class, which offer generous space with 160 degree recline, and 208 seats in Economy.

 

 

 

In three weeks’ time, starting July 19, Qatar Airways will operate daily non-stop scheduled services between Doha and Dulles International Airport in Washington DC. The airline will be the only Middle East carrier flying daily to the US capital.

With a growing international network, more travellers have an opportunity to use Qatar Airways’ brand new Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and Business Class passengers.

The Premium Terminal features facilities including a spa, jacuzzi, exclusive duty free shopping, business centre and fine dining restaurants. 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 and offers departing and transit passengers an excellent opportunity to relax and unwind prior to their flight.

 

DOHA – GENEVA – NEW YORK (NEWARK) Schedules:

 

 

	Days	Flight Number	Departure	Arrival
Doha – Geneva	Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun	QR083	0840	1410
Geneva – New York (Newark)	Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun		1555	1855
New York (Newark) – Geneva	Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun	QR084	2155	1150*
Geneva - Doha	Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun		1305	2015

 

* Arrival the following day.

 

Notes to Editors:

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 fourth year running in 2006 and second best worldwide following a survey of more than 12 million passengers worldwide.

The airline’s fleet will almost double in size to 110 aircraft by 2015. Qatar Airways is to acquire 80 Airbus A350s and 22 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter beginning 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

 

For further information
Salam Al Shawa
Senior Manager Marketing & Communications, Qatar Airways
Tel: +974 4496956, Fax: +974 4620132
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Website: www.qatarairways.com

20 June 2007

 

Paris, FRANCE – Award-winning Qatar Airways has been participating at the high-profile Paris Air Show with a luxurious chalet at Le Bourget Airport in the French capital.

Tens of thousands of visitors have been filing through the show grounds, one of the world’s largest and oldest aerospace events in the aviation industry calendar.

On the opening day of the show on Monday, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker confirmed orders for 80 of Airbus’ new generation A350 aircraft in a deal worth US$16 billion. In addition, Qatar Airways confirmed a US$5.6 billion deal with Rolls Royce to power the twin-jet A350s, which are set to be delivered to the Doha-based airline from 2013.

Qatar Airways also had its newest aircraft, an Airbus A330-200 on display at the show fresh off the production line in Toulouse. The aircraft was parked next to Airbus’s much-talked-about A380 super jumbo, which thrilled visitors with demonstration flights during the high-profile event.

The A330, configured in 24 Business Class seats and 236 in Economy, will fly to Doha at the end of the show for entry into commercial service to destinations as far afield as South Africa, Far East and Europe. It takes the airline’s fleet size to 58 all-Airbus aircraft.

 

 

Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways has felt at home at the Paris Air Show for many years and this year is no different. The Paris Air Show is regarded as one of the top aerospace industry events and we are pleased to have been able to use this opportunity to showcase our hospitality to visitors from around the world.” Qatar Airways currently operates scheduled flights from its Doha hub to 75 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Far East. The airline launches flights to Geneva on June 26, together with New York on the same date, followed three weeks later by daily services to Washington DC, beginning July 19.

Qatar Airways’ fleet size will double in size to more than 110 aircraft by 2015. It plans to acquire 80 Airbus A350s and 22 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter beginning in November 2007. The airline is one of the launch customers of the twin-deck A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five aircraft on order, scheduled for delivery from 2010.

Notes to Editors:

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 fourth year running in 2006 and second best worldwide following a survey of more than 12 million passengers. During the 2006/07 financial year, Qatar Airways carried more than 8 million passengers worldwide.