HELSINKI, Finland – The Finnish capital of Helsinki welcomed the first Qatar Airways flight from Doha today, inaugurating the new daily service that will connect Helsinki to more than 150 destinations worldwide. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and the Finnish Ambassador to Qatar, Her Excellency Mrs. Riitta Swan travelled on board the inaugural flight and were greeted by a VIP delegation including Finland’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Mrs. Anne Berner; the President and Chief Executive Officer of Finavia, Mr. Kari Savolainen; the Chief Executive Officer of Visit Helsinki, Mrs. Tuulikki Becker; and Finpro Executive Vice President, Head of Visit Finland, Mr. Paavo Virkkunen.
To celebrate this special occasion the airline flew one of its new-generation Airbus A350 aircraft to Helsinki, and will operate the daily Helsinki service with an Airbus A320 going forward. Qatar Airways’ Airbus A320 has a two-class configuration with 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class.
The launch of the new route to Helsinki completes Qatar Airways’ network strategy of serving Nordic capitals, which currently includes Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, and reinforces its commitment to serving the people of Northern Europe.
To support the new destination launch, the airline also announced a new code-share partnership with Finnair, which is effective from today, expanding Qatar Airways’ presence in the Baltic States and Nordic countries while strengthening Finnair’s network in the Middle East and beyond.
H.E. Mr. Al Baker said: “Launching our new route to Helsinki is a proud moment for the airline, completing our strategy of serving the needs of Europe’s Nordic capitals and facilitating connections for businesses, cultures and families between Finns and people throughout the world. With this new service, the people of Helsinki have convenient and world-class air service to more destinations, and we look forward to welcoming our new customers on board.”
Finavia President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kari Savolainen, said: “We want to express our warmest welcome to Qatar Airways and its new route between Helsinki and Doha. This is a fantastic addition to our selection of destinations and thanks to the route launch Helsinki Airport now has even better connections to the world. We ensure that our passengers enjoy their journey before and between their flights at the airport, selected as the best airport in Northern Europe in 2016.”
Finpro Executive Vice President, Head of Visit Finland, Mr. Paavo Virkkunen, said: “We are happy to welcome Qatar Airways with its global network to open access to Finland from markets that represent new growth potential to the Finnish travel industry. We believe that travellers from the Middle East and from other countries that have now become connected with Finland will find the fresh and pure Nordic nature a new kind of experience really worth exploring.”
Helsinki – Doha Flight Schedules:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday
Doha (DOH) to Helsinki (HEL) QR303 departs: 01:35 arrives: 08:10
Helsinki (HEL) to Doha (DOH) to QR304 departs: 10:55 arrives: 17:15
Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
Doha (DOH) to Helsinki (HEL) QR301 departs: 08:15 arrives: 14:50
Helsinki (HEL) to Doha (DOH) QR302 departs: 17:45 arrives 00:05+1
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For images please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/albums/72157671558813743
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 190 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 190 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, 11 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
Visit our homepage www.qatarairways.com or our sites on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.
For Qatar Airways corporate images, please click here: http://www.qatarairways.com/corporateimages