China Newswire

Qatar Airways CEO Briefs International Media On Airline's Expansion Plans

englisheditor — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:20:20 +0000

Akbar Al Baker Addresses Journalists In Guangzhou Celebrating Success Of Latest Route To China

Guangzhou, China (April 17, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker today spoke of the airline's successful introduction to Guangzhou, and its ambitious growth plans, highlighting further expansion into long-haul markets over the next few years.

Addressing Chinese and international media at a press conference marking the airline's newest route launch to Guangzhou, Al Baker said the airline was determined to open up further services as part of an aggressive expansion plan to serve exciting business and leisure cities around the world.

He cited the Doha – Guangzhou route, launched on March 31, as an example of the airline's commitment to introduce flights to key cities in countries with thriving economies.

Guangzhou is Doha-based Qatar Airways' fourth destination in China and 82nd overall worldwide. The airline now operates a total of 20 scheduled flights a week to China from its hub to Beijing (4 flights), Shanghai (5 flights), Hong Kong (daily) and Guangzhou (4 flights). Beginning May 1, the carrier adds a fifth frequency to Guangzhou – Qatar Airways' 15th destination in the Far East.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 62 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 82 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Far East and North America. Starting November 10, Qatar Airways will launch direct non-stop services to Houston, its third destination in the United States.

Al Baker hailed the airline's expansion into China as a measure of continued support for one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

"Our new route builds on the success of Qatar Airways' operations across China in such a short few years since we launched flights to this dynamic economic landscape in 2003," he said, speaking during the press briefing at the Westin Hotel.

"We have steadily built up our business in China, first with Shanghai, then Beijing and Hong Kong – and am now pleased to see our award-winning Five Star service expand to yet another key city. Guangzhou offers both business and leisure travellers an alternative gateway to this fascinating country."

Added Al Baker: "Qatar Airways looks forward to welcoming passengers from Europe, Middle East and Africa on the new flights to Guangzhou via our Doha hub. The route provides a strong sporting link as Doha hosted the biggest ever Asian Games in 2006, while Guangzhou is set to host the next Asian Games in 2010.

"We have taken an important step to fly to Guangzhou, and as we grow our business, we will look at similar opportunities far and wide across the world."

With outstanding orders for more than 200 brand new aircraft worth over US$30 billion, Al Baker said deliveries over the next few years will be the catalyst to open up new routes worldwide.

"With our ideal central geographical position in the Gulf, we will soon be able to operate flights to any key city around the world non-stop, thanks to the arrival of the Long Range version of our Boeing 777 aircraft later this year," explained Al Baker, who later officially opened the airline's new sales and reservations office in the heart of Guangzhou's business district.

"The Boeing 777-200LR is capable of flying distances of around 17 hours non-stop and gives Qatar Airways' passengers a unique flying experience. We will open up exciting new diverse business and leisure routes worldwide with this fabulous aircraft, including Houston."

Qatar Airways has ordered 32 Boeing 777 aircraft – a mix of the Long Range and Extended Range versions – together with other aircraft types, including 60 Boeing 787s, 80 Airbus A350s and five Airbus A380 super jumbos.

During his presentation, Al Baker updated media on the construction of the New Doha International Airport, which would help facilitate Qatar Airways' huge expansion.

Reclamation work on the project has been completed as 60 per cent of the site is built on land dredged from the sea. Both runways are taking shape and terminal infrastructure is well under construction. The airport is due to open in 2010 with an initial capacity of 24 million passengers a year, rising to 50 million during the final development phase from 2015 onwards.

Al Baker also spoke of Qatar Airways' commitment to a cleaner and safer environment, stressing the airline was spearheading a top-level international study looking at Gas-To-Liquids fuel (GTL) to power passenger jets.
Qatar Airways operates an Airbus A330 aircraft to Guangzhou in a two-class configuration of up to 24 seats in Business Class and a maximum 248 seats in Economy.

Guangzhou, also known by its older English name of Canton, has a population of almost 10 million people and is the capital of Guangdong province. Situated on the Pearl River, the city is only 120 kilometres northwest of China's thriving business capital of Hong Kong.

Qatar Airways is one of an elite group of carriers with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry research company. 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. Qatar Airways carries around 10 million passengers a year. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com. For further information on the New Doha International Airport, visit www.ndiaproject.com

For further information on Qatar Airways' award-winning Privilege Club frequent flyer programme, log onto www.qmiles.com where members can check their account balance online, as well as book reward tickets for travel.

Technorati Tags:
Qatar Airways | Airline's Expansion Plans

Qatar Airways To Launch Flights To Guangzhou

englisheditor — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:59:38 +0000

Southern Chinese Industrial Port City To Be Served Non-Stop From Doha

Four-A-Week Scheduled Flights Begin March 31

Qatar Airways First Gulf Carrier Into Guangzhou As Airline Widens Presence Across China

MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS

Doha, Qatar (January 28, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Qatar Airways today announced plans to serve the southern Chinese industrial port city of Guangzhou from the start of the summer flying season to further cement its position in one of the world's fastest growing economies.

Beginning March 31, Doha-based Qatar Airways will become the first airline from the Gulf to serve Guangzhou. It will operate four flights-a-week non-stop using an Airbus A330 aircraft in a two-class configuration of up to 24 seats in Business Class and a maximum 248 in Economy.

The addition of Guangzhou strengthens Qatar Airways' China network, where it already flies to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong with a total of 16 flights a week. Guangzhou takes the airline's capacity into China up to 20 flights a week. From May 1, Qatar Airways adds a fifth weekly service to Guangzhou.

Passengers flying Qatar Airways from Europe, Middle East and Africa will have excellent connections to Guangzhou via the airline's operational hub of Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.

The new services will provide a strong sporting link as Doha hosted the biggest ever Asian Games in 2006, while Guangzhou is set to host the next sporting extravaganza in 2010.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said Guangzhou would complement the airline's daily services to Hong Kong, offering business and leisure travellers an exciting opportunity to visit two key Chinese cities in such close proximity to each other.

"China is, and will continue to be, a strategically vital part of Qatar Airways' expansion plans – and no serious airline can afford to ignore a country with a thriving and buoyant economy," he said.

"Since we entered the China market four years ago, we have gradually introduced new routes and increased capacity into this exciting country.

"First with Beijing, followed by Shanghai, then Hong Kong, we are set to further widen our presence in China by adding the southern industrial city of Guangzhou to our rapidly growing international network. It is a historic move for Qatar Airways as we will be the first airline from the Gulf to operate into Guangzhou."

Beginning May 1, Al Baker said Qatar Airways would increase capacity further into Guangzhou with a fifth weekly scheduled flight.

He added: "With China hosting the Olympic Games later this year when Beijing takes centre stage for this two-week sporting extravaganza, Qatar Airways is proud to be part of China's success story. Furthermore, both Guangzhou and Doha have a strong sporting link as we hosted the Asian Games in Qatar just over 12 months ago, and it will be the turn of Guangzhou in 2010 to take charge of this fantastic sporting event."

Qatar Airways' China operation currently includes daily flights to Hong Kong; four weekly services to Beijing; and five services a week to Shanghai.

The airline operates a modern fleet of 60 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 81 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Far East and North America.

The airline is one of an elite group of carriers with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry research company. 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 current 2007/08 financial year, Qatar Airways expects to carry more than 10 million passengers worldwide. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com

The Doha – Guangzhou schedules, effective 31 March 2008 are:-

Depart Doha International Airport

Monday, Tuesday, Friday QR876 at 0230, arrive Guangzhou at 1535
Thursday QR874 at 0230, arrive Guangzhou at 1535

Depart Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Monday, Tuesday, Friday QR877 at 2030, arrive Doha International Airport at 2359
Friday QR875 at 0055, arrive Doha International Airport at 0425

INTERNET LINKS

http://www.ndiaproject.com

Qatar Airways will operate a fleet of 110 aircraft by 2013 – almost double the existing size. During 2007, Qatar Airways 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daniel O'Brien
Edelman
Tel: (+86) 10 6530 8590 (211)
Mobile: (+86)134 0104 9360
Email: dan.obrien@edelman.com

Technorati Tags:
Qatar Airways | New Flights

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