Qatar Airways will fly four-times-a-week between its operational hub of Doha and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on the US east coast. The flight will operate via Geneva – the airline’s second destination in Switzerland – following its successful services to Zurich, also operated four-times-a-week.

The launch of the US flights is the highlight of Qatar Airways’ route expansion programme during 2007, which sees a further seven cities added to the airline’s burgeoning international network.

Addressing media today at a packed press briefing during Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker presented an update on the airline’s growth plans to the United States and new destinations during 2007.

"Qatar Airways is preparing for its biggest route launches of the year with both New York and Washington DC coming on line this summer," he said, speaking at the Middle East’s premier travel trade event, currently being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"We look forward to adding yet another continent to our growing network offering our passengers flying from Doha and other cities across the GCC and the Indian subcontinent with excellent connections to both New York and Washington DC."

Al Baker said that flights to the United States were an historic move for Qatar Airways in a year, which has seen the airline already launch services to Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Chennai, Bali and Ho Chi Minh City.

Our Five Star service is renowned worldwide and we are extremely delighted to widen our reach to the United States and offer the travelling public a long-awaited service between the Middle East and US east coast.

"Qatar Airways will be the first airline from the Middle East to serve Washington DC and Newark International Airport, the gateway to New York City. Both cities promise to be key selling destinations for Qatar Airways."

He added: “Qatar Airways recognises the importance of key neighbouring markets like the UAE to feed traffic onto our network and I am pleased to announce that we are stepping up frequency on the Doha – Dubai route with an additional daily flight, taking our operation from seven to eight flights a day.

"With 56 flights a week connecting Dubai with Doha, we really are offering passengers greater choice, comfort and the reason to fly with Qatar Airways," said Al Baker.

In his presentation to the media, Al Baker spoke of the airline’s new US campaign across the GCC to promote the US routes and updated the regional and world press on the development of the New Doha International Airport, which is scheduled to open in 2009.

At the trade show in Dubai, Qatar Airways stepped out in style with cheerleaders, and Marilyn Monroe and Elvis impersonators entertaining visitors on the airline’s stand throughout the four-day event.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 57 all-Airbus aircraft to 75 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East and the Indian subcontinent. The new US flights from Doha will offer excellent connections to and from the GCC markets.

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, duty free, 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.

Island Of Bali Adds To Growing List Of Far East Destinations
Latest Inaugurals Part Of Carrier’s Huge Expansion During 2007

Doha, QATAR – The latest moves in Qatar Airways’ huge expansion across Asia and the Indian sub-continent took off yesterday with flights from its base in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, to Chennai (formerly known as Madras) and the tropical island of Bali.

Qatar Airways already serves five cities across India – Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Trivandrum and Hyderabad – and the Indonesian capital Jakarta, so the new destinations will strengthen the airline’s operations in both countries.

Passenger demand for both routes is expected to be significant, according to Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker.

“Chennai is the third largest commercial centre in India and becomes our first service to the country’s east coast. And while Bali has always been a popular tourist destination, it is also growing in significance as a place to do business,” he said.

“Qatar Airways is committed to spreading our award-winning Five Star service to key business and leisure destinations worldwide and the latest moves reflect the importance we place on expanding our operations in countries we already serve.”

On the Chennai route, Qatar Airways operates daily flights using an Airbus A321 with a 12 Business Class and 132 Economy Class seat configuration.

With the launch of the new Indonesian service, Qatar Airways becomes the first Middle East carrier to serve the tropical island of Bali. Flights operate four times a week using an Airbus A300-600 aircraft with up to 30 seats in Business Class and 234 in Economy Class.

The inaugural flights represent a major drive by Qatar Airways to introduce numerous new destinations to its expanding network. In addition to Bali and Chennai, Qatar Airways is also launching flights to five further destinations across Asia, Europe and North America in 2007 alone.

Qatar Airways currently flies to 74 destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of 56 all-Airbus aircraft. 

The full list of new routes for 2007 is:

• Chennai DAILY from March 24 
• Bali 4 flights a week from March 24 
• Ho Chi Minh City 4 flights a week from March 25 
• Geneva 4 flights a week from June 28 
• New York 4 flights a week from June 28 
• Washington DAILY from Summer 2007 
• Stockholm 4 flights a week from November 2007

The Doha – Denpasar (Bali) schedules, effective 24 March 2007 are: 

Depart Doha International Airport :
Tuesday QR624 at 2320, arrive Denpasar at 1605 following day
Wednesday QR624 at 2320, arrive Denpasar at 1605 following day
Saturday QR624 at 2320, arrive Denpasar at 1605 following day
Sunday QR624 at 2320, arrive Denpasar at 1605 following day 

Depart Denpasar International Airport:
Monday QR625 at 0335, arrive Doha International Airport at 1005
Tuesday QR625 at 0005, arrive Doha International Airport at 0630
Thursday QR625 at 0005, arrive Doha International Airport at 0630
Friday QR625 at 0005, arrive Doha International Airport at 0630

The Doha – Chennai schedules, effective 24 March 2007 are: 

Depart Doha International Airport
DAILY QR276 at 2045, arrive Chennai at 0345 following day

Depart Chennai International Airport
DAILY QR277 at 0445, arrive Doha at 0645

British Airways (BA) +  Swiss (LX) + Qatar Airways (QR) available for e-ticketing

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar and one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, won the 2007 FFP Innovation Gold Award, recognizing the airline industry’s most progressive frequent flyer program. The award ceremony took place on 27 February as part of the third annual FFP Conference in Vancouver, Canada, attended by almost 70 different airlines from around the world.

Voting for the FFP award (FFP: Frequent Flyer Program) was open to all current airline employees, who responded in record numbers to vote for the world’s most innovative frequent flyer program. Each employee can only vote for a program belonging to another airline, (not their own), making this award particularly prestigious as the only airline loyalty accolade where professionals recognize their best competitors.
Qatar Airways was honoured with a first place Gold Award based upon its introduction of a self-service terminal for the enrolment of new members into its Privilege Club Program. Developed by the U.K.’s Trident Loyalty Systems, the terminal not only enrols new Qatar Airways’ frequent flyer members instantaneously, but also simultaneously prints the new member’s frequent flyer membership card – an industry first.

The 2008 FFP Awards will be celebrated as part of FFP Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, scheduled to take place from 11 to 13 March 2008.