DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is celebrating the completion of a successful week at the world’s largest tourism fair, ITB Berlin, where some of the airline’s key milestones and latest innovations were announced at a press conference attended by more than 175 international media.

Among the latest updates from the airline were new route launches to South Africa and Pakistan, reaching the cities of Durban, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Multan. In addition Qatar Airways highlighted its latest A350 offering as Global Launch Customer, alongside a number of exciting in-flight product updates and developments, including the significant increase to its entertainment options on board, and new in-flight product offerings from sumptuous Italian-designed Missoni sleeper suits in First Class to newly introduced Ladurée Parisian delicacies, available in both First and Business Class cabins.

Qatar Airways also welcomed international media to its impressive stand, most notably to attend a signing ceremony held with The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as Qatar Airways became a Diamond Elite Executive Partner. Diamond Elite Executive Partners are offered a range of benefits including access to CLIA cruise lines and travel agents as well as marketing and promotional activities across CLIA’s 15 offices around the world, and this membership is sure to be an important asset to Qatar Airways' impressive growth ambitions. 

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are pleased to join the CLIA organisation and explore closer ties with the world’s cruise lines. Qatar Airways serves an expansive number of destinations across six continents, which provides travellers with ease and flexibility when planning their cruising excursions. With regular flights to Miami, the world’s leading hub for cruise ships, Qatar Airways looks ahead to participate in the growth of the cruise industry for relevant synergies in our operations.”

“We are thrilled to have Qatar Airways join CLIA as a Diamond Elite Executive Partner, as the further development of our industry increasingly requires greater synergies between the world’s cruise lines and airlines,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, CLIA Europe’s Chairman and Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. “With 80 percent of the world’s cruise passengers taking flights before and after their cruise holidays, both industries stand to benefit from closer ties and cooperation.”

With five new destinations on the horizon (Amsterdam, Durban, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Multan), Qatar Airways will soon increase its global portfolio to 151 destinations across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, North America and South America. The carrier currently operates a modern fleet of 150 aircraft.