Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways has taken delivery of its latest Boeing 777 aircraft with relief aid onboard for victims of the devastating floods that hit Pakistan in August.
The supplies arrived in Doha following a 14-hour non-stop journey from Seattle. The aircraft, a Boeing 777-300 Extended Range (ER) version, is the 23rd wide body Boeing 777 to be inducted into the airline’s fleet.
Qatar Airways, Boeing and a non-profit organisation – AmeriCares – collaborated to bring the relief aid from the United States.
The uplift in the cargo hold of the airline’s newest 777-300 ER aircraft comprised of almost 35,000 pounds of medicine and medical supplies.
The aid was flown onwards from Doha to Pakistan onboard Qatar Airways for distribution by local charity groups throughout the country.
The delivery is the second consignment of aid materials sent to Pakistan. Qatar Airways shipped the first package of relief goods in August. The items consisted of health and medical supplies, including prescription drugs and hygiene kits.
Qatar Airways extended its heartfelt commitment to the people of Pakistan by volunteering its resources to carry goods and aid, and working with local charities to build a vital relief air bridge from Qatar.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “We believe it is important to continue to support the people of Pakistan and provide much needed relief goods. Along with our partners, we are proud to reach out to those whose lives have been unimaginably impacted by this tragedy.”
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 94 aircraft to 95 diverse business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
Qatar Airways will expand its European presence in the New Year with the launch of flights to four destinations – Bucharest (January 17), Budapest (January 17), Brussels (January 31) and Stuttgart (March 6). On April 6, Qatar Airways introduces its 100th destination – the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Qatar Airways will operate a fleet of 120 aircraft by 2013, by which time its global network will rise to 120 destinations. The airline has ordered 80 Airbus A350s, 24 Airbus A320 Family of aircraft, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter having started in November 2007. The carrier has aircraft orders for more than 200 jets worth over US$40 billion pending delivery and is one of the customers of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five on order and scheduled for delivery from 2012, by which time the New Doha International Airport would have opened. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com
Qatar Airways Corporate Communications
Tel: +974 4496956, Fax: +974 4620132
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa