Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways has launched its award-winning Five Star service to Mashad, Iran’s second largest city, with its new twice-weekly flights from the airline’s operational hub of Doha.
The inaugural flight from Doha International Airport touched down at Mashad International Airport with a delegation led by Qatar Airways Senior Manager Commercial Operations Arabian Peninsula, Iran, South Asia & Myanmar, Ali Al Rais. Onboard were a mix of Saudi Arabian and Bahraini tour operators and travel agents.
The city is being served non-stop twice-weekly from Qatar Airways’ operational hub of Doha, capital of the State of Qatar. The route is operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in Business and 132 in Economy.
Mashad becomes Qatar Airways’ second Iranian point served from Doha, following the successful launch of flights to the capital Tehran 12 months ago – a route which has grown from strength to strength.
To celebrate the route launch, Qatar Airways is offering members of its Privilege Club frequent flyer programme with doubleAvios for the first full month of the new Mashad flights.
Qatar Airways now flies to 63 destinations worldwide from its hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.
Destinations served cover Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian sub-continent and the Far East.
The month of June will see further expansion by Qatar Airways to reinforce its status as one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.
Following the launch of Mashad, Qatar Airways begins services to the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on June 9 and the Greek capital, Athens, on June 15.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the Tehran route had performed extremely well, prompting the airline to step up capacity from four to five flights a week soon after the launch.
Tehran has proved to be a very important and busy route for Qatar Airways which is why we increased capacity last year.
We are now delighted to add Mashad as our second point in Iran and serve the growing needs of our passengers, many of whom will be travelling from neighbouring Middle East markets to Iran,” he said.
Mashad is the first of our three new routes this month as we launch Alexandria on June 9 and Athens on June 15 in line with our expansion plans. These three new routes alone will take our global network to 65 destinations worldwide.
“Our new routes will be ideal for pilgrims, holidaymakers and business travellers from the region and, indeed around the world, who can feed into our flights in and out of Doha.”
By the end of 2005, the airline plans to serve at least 70 destinations.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern all-Airbus fleet of 40 aircraft, which will double in size over the next few years following a $5.1bn order for 34 additional Airbus jets signed in 2003. The airline is one of the launch customers of the twin-deck A380 ‘super jumbos’ with four aircraft on order, scheduled for delivery from 2009.
As one of the fastest growing and youngest carriers in the world, Qatar Airways has made significant inroads in the global aviation industry to become an award-winning airline in just a short few years.
It is one of only three airlines in the world to be ranked a Five Star carrier for excellent service and high standards by Skytrax. Skytrax also ranked Qatar Airways’ cabin crew as the best in the Middle East in 2004 for the second year running and fifth best in the world following a survey of more than two million passengers worldwide.
The Doha – Mashad schedules are:
Qatar Airways Flight QR486 leaves Doha International Airport at 1200 hrs on Mondays and Wednesdays, arriving in Mashad at 1545 hrs local time. Return flight QR487 leaves Mashad on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1900 hrs, arriving at Doha International at 1945 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