DOHA, Qatar – The Italian city of Pisa today welcomed the first Qatar Airways flight to arrive at its international airport from Doha, Qatar. The Airbus A330 landed at 06:55 and was greeted by a celebratory water canon salute as well as a welcome ceremony with flags and drums from people in traditional costumes. The VIP delegation on board the flight, which included the airline’s Senior Vice President for Europe, Mr. Jonathan Harding, were welcomed by airport authorities representatives Mr. Marco Carrai, President of Tuscany Airports; and Ms. Gina Giani, CEO of Tuscany Airports as well as Mr. Marco Filippeschi, Mayor of Pisa.
Pisa is the fourth city in Italy to be served by Qatar Airways, which has been flying to Milan since 2002, to Rome since 2003, and to Venice since 2011. The airline already offers five daily frequencies to Italy: two to Milan and Rome and one to Venice. The new daily flight to Pisa will increase the airline’s weekly flights from Doha to Italy from 35 to 42.
In the last year, Qatar Airways has strengthened its existing Italian routes and demonstrated its commitment to the Italian market by introducing new, wide-body aircraft generating a 35 per cent increase in passenger capacity.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Pisa is an important addition to our route map, strengthening our ties with the people of Italy by offering them another opportunity to connect with more than 150 business and leisure destinations. We are equally delighted to be giving our loyal passengers from around the globe the chance to visit the beautiful city of Pisa and the surrounding region of Tuscany.”
President of Tuscany Airports, Mr. Marco Carrai, said: "Our region continues to open up to the world thanks to the agreement with Qatar Airways and the opening of the new service between Pisa and Doha. This new route gives us the opportunity to enlarge the new network to business and leisure connections throughout Asia and Africa. This is one of the most prestigious milestones in the history of Tuscan Airports, as the benefits for our region will soon be under the eyes of all. This is an achievement that Tuscany Airports can really be proud of."
The award-winning airline is flying the Airbus A320 daily to Pisa, enriching the airline’s global network and offering its passengers a new Italian destination. The new getaway will connect Tuscany to the Qatar Airways network, through its state-of-the-art hub in Doha, to more than 150 business and leisure destinations including Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The A320 will also provide businesses importing and exporting goods to and from Pisa with 11 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity per week.
Notes to editors
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About Qatar Airways:
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 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 189 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was awarded World's Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the prestigious 2016 World Airline Awards managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
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’ inflight 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 as well as 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 is one of the world’s leaders in sponsoring global sporting events, including the strategic team sponsorships of FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC. Qatar Airways’ strategy reflects 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 cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 189 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, 10 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747 freighters.
For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200, Fax: +974 40225350
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
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