HELSINKI, Finland – Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, today hosted a capacity crowd press conference at Hotel Kämp in the centre of Helsinki. Following the arrival of the airline’s first flight to the Finnish capital yesterday, H.E. Mr. Al Baker took the opportunity to update the regional and international media on the airline’s plans for the Nordics and beyond.
Qatar Airways is the first Middle Eastern carrier to serve all four Nordic capitals and is committed to bringing more visitors to Helsinki, boosting tourism to Finland and its neighbouring countries. The new route will also give the people of Finland the opportunity to connect to more than 150 destinations on the airline’s global network via its hub, Hamad International Airport, in Doha.
Qatar Airways, already one of the fastest growing airlines in the history of aviation, flies daily to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and now Helsinki. This will give Finnish passengers the opportunity to travel seamlessly to destinations such as Krabi and the Seychelles, which will launch in December, and Auckland, which will launch on 5 February 2017, with many more new destinations to come.
H.E. Mr. Al Baker said: “Helsinki has long been on our list of destinations to add to our route map and I am proud that we are here today to celebrate this important milestone in the history of our airline. We are here to serve the people of Finland with a world-class service connecting them to business and leisure destinations on our global network. It is also our pleasure to promote Finland and the whole Nordic region to our passengers around the world.”
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. We welcome tourists from Doha to enjoy Helsinki, a city full of amazing Nordic experiences. At the same time Helsinki Airport is also an excellent gateway to Lapland.
“This year more and more tourists travel via Helsinki to experience the magical North – famous for fresh air, snow and the Northern Lights. Our short transfer times and services located under one roof ensure smooth travelling for all.”
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/72157671591720463
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