Qatar Airways’ new route to provide direct service from Doha to Skopje
Route to operate four direct flights a week on an Airbus A320 aircraft
Launch is part of airline’s extensive expansion in Eastern Europe, with service to Prague and Kyiv to begin this summer
DOHA, Qatar – The first Qatar Airways non-stop flight from Doha to Skopje touched down today at Alexander the Great Airport. The new route to the capital of the Republic of Macedonia will be served four times per week with an Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class.
Skopje provides a gateway to a country of dramatic scenery, including beautiful lakes, mountains, and charming historic towns. Visitors to Skopje can discover Ottoman-era neighbourhoods, shop in the old bazaar, or visit the lakeside city of Orchid and its picturesque castle. Passengers who would like to experience the unique cultural and cosmopolitan mix of the city can book their tickets on the newly-designed Qatar Airways website or mobile application.
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ehab Amin, who travelled on board the inaugural flight with Macedonian Ambassador to Qatar, H.E. Mrs. Vukica Krtolica Popovska, was greeted by Macedonia’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Goran Sugareski; General Manager of Airport TAV Macedonia, Mr. Alp Er Tunga Ersoy; and Qatari Ambassador to Skopje, H.E. Mr. Hassan Bin Abdullah Zaid Al Mahmoud, at Alexander the Great Airport, Skopje. The VIP delegates from Doha were offered salt and bread, a traditional Macedonian welcome, as they disembarked the aircraft.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “This summer is a busy one for Qatar Airways, as we continue our Eastern European expansion. Our new four-times weekly service to Skopje is a much-anticipated addition to our global route map, which will enable us to connect both business and leisure passengers to and from the Republic of Macedonia. We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board flights to this captivating city.”
General Manager of Airport TAV Macedonia, Mr. Alp Er Tunga Ersoy, said: “It is a great pleasure for us to welcome the first Doha-Skopje flight and the entrance of Qatar Airways to the Macedonian market, as one of the most appreciated aviation brands worldwide. Doha will be a very attractive new destination for Macedonian citizens, for both leisure and business, connecting them with 150 additional destinations across the world.”
Macedonia is a centre for metal-processing, chemical, timber, textile, leather and printing industries, and is ranked as one of the Top 10 economies in the world for doing business. The launch of the award-winning airline’s new route to Skopje will help Macedonian businesspeople connect with their business partners in more than 150 destinations around the world.
In addition, the commencement of air cargo service to Skopje by Qatar Airways Cargo will promote air trade growth in the Republic of Macedonia by connecting the country with its major importers in northeast Asia via the airline’s state-of-the-art Doha hub. The cargo carrier’s newly-launched Climate Control Centre enhances its seamless cool chain solutions and offers perfect transit services to support the exports of fruits and fresh produce out of Skopje to various destinations across its global network.
The airline’s first ever-service to the Republic of Macedonia will also give leisure passengers easier access to Australia, where more than 200,000 Macedonian Australians live.
Qatar Airways is expediting its expansion in Eastern Europe, with service to Prague, Czech Republic and Kyiv, Ukraine set to commence by end of August.
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 20th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 200 aircraft flying to business and leisure destinations across six continents.
Doha - Skopje Flight Schedules:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sundays
Doha (DOH) to Skopje (SKP) QR305 departs: 06:50 arrives: 11:15
Skopje (SKP) to Doha (DOH) to QR306 departs: 12:15 arrives: 18:15
For images, please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/sets/72157684147640010
About TAV Airports
TAV Airports, one of the world’s leading airport operators, operates Istanbul Atatürk, Ankara Esenboğa, Izmir Adnan Menderes, Milas Bodrum and Alanya Gazipaşa airports in Turkey. Tbilisi and Batumi airports in Georgia, Monastir and Enfidha-Hammamet airports in Tunisia, Skopje and Ohrid airports in Macedonia, Madinah Airport in Saudi Arabia and Zagreb Airport in Croatia are also operated by TAV Airports. The Holding also provides service through its subsidiaries in other areas of airport operations including duty-free, food and beverage services, ground handling services, IT, security and operation services. Within the same context, TAV Airports also operates duty free, food and beverage and other commercial areas at Riga Airport in Latvia. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company provided services to 808.000 flights, serving more than 104 million passengers in 2016.
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fast growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2017/18, including Dublin, Nice, Skopje, Sarajevo and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was recently named Airline of the Year by the 2017 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message - Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves 60 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters, 12 Boeing 777 freighters and one Boeing 747 freighter.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200