Doha, QATAR – Following the successful launch of flights between Doha and Tehran in June, Qatar Airways is increasing frequency to the Iranian capital with an additional service from September 18.
Soaring demand has prompted the need for extra capacity with the additional flight operating every Saturday, taking Qatar Airways’ frequency up to five services a week.
The Tehran flights are operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration, Economy and First Class.
Tehran was the 50th destination to be launched on Qatar Airways’ rapidly growing route network from its operational base in Doha.
“Our Tehran flights have been so popular that there was a desperate need for extra capacity,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker.
“With this extra service, it increases connection opportunities for leisure and business travellers flying in and out of Doha on our international network spread across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Indian sub-continent.
“Qatar Airways is extremely pleased to strengthen its Tehran operation and showcase its excellent five-star service to the people of Iran and to travellers from around the world.”
Added Al Baker: “We are now working on offering a daily service between Doha and Tehran to satisfy demand even further.”
Tehran is the natural gateway to Iran and the country’s thriving business centre. Iran has around 6,000 years of history and culture with numerous sites of great archaelogical interest to visitors.
Qatar Airways’ new Tehran flight will operate on Saturdays at the same times as its existing four services between the two capitals. Flight QR488 leaves Doha at 1200 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, arriving in Tehran at 1530 local time.
Return flight QR489 leaves Tehran on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 1830, arriving at Doha International Airport at 1900 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
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E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa