ISTANBUL, Turkey: Qatar Airways launched its new service to Istanbul yesterday, marking its first flight to Turkey as it continues to expand its international route network.
A senior delegation headed by Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer Mr. Akbar Al Baker, General Manager Commercial Mr. Mohamed Saleh Fakhri, and Regional Manager Levant Mr. Hilal Al Mohannadi arrived on flight QR480 in Istanbul to be greeted by senior airport officials and Qatar Airways’ Area Manager to Istanbul Ms. Rola Obeid.
The inaugural flight from Doha to Istanbul was accompanied by the Turkish Ambassador to Qatar H.E. Mrs. Oya Inkaya.
“I am very pleased to inaugurate Qatar Airways’ new service to Istanbul. It represents the 52nd destination on our growing route network and is an important new service for us and the people of Turkey,” said Chief Executive Officer Mr. Akbar Al Baker.
“Our thrice-weekly service to Istanbul will prove popular with leisure travellers from Qatar and the Middle East, who want to visit this spectacular and historical city, and use it as a gateways to this culturally important country.
“This new service will also prove very interesting for the people of Turkey, as we will be able to offer convenient connections to all of our 51 existing destinations, including exciting holiday getaways to popular destinations such as Thailand and the Maldives.
“With the anticipated inaugurals of Zurich, Kabul, Melbourne and Johannesburg, Qatar Airways will be able to offer potential travellers an extensive international route network that will encompass 60 destinations by early 2005, and 70 destinations by the end of 2005.
“Qatar Airways is also pleased to announce the opening of its offices at the Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel in Istanbul, which is centrally located to give all our customers easy access and convenience when wishing to make all their travel arrangements with Qatar Airways,” added Mr. Al Baker.
Qatar Airways will be flying to Istanbul three times per week. Flight QR480 will leave Doha at 11:40 hrs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to arrive in Istanbul at 15:25 hrs local time.
Return flight QR481 leaves Istanbul on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 16:15hrs, arriving at Doha International Airport at 20:00 hrs local time.
Doha-based Qatar Airways will operate 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 2010, when the first phase of the new facility opens. For more information, visit www.ndiaproject.com
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
Qatar Airways Corporate Communications
Tel: +974 4496956, Fax: +974 4620132
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa