Doha, QATAR - Qatar Airways' Gulf-wide roadshow promoting the airline's forthcoming summer launch of flights to New York and Washington DC arrived in Doha today, following a whirlwind tour of the GCC region.

The roadshow kicked off in Dubai last Sunday, with a press briefing that highlighted the new US route launches and progress in the airline's 2007 expansion programme. Increased frequencies on routes between Doha, State of Qatar, and key cities within the GCC, were also emphasised as bringing greater convenience to passengers travelling to onward destinations, through the airline's operational hub.

Lavish, special US-themed gala dinners were held in each city on the tour, which also took in Kuwait and Bahrain. The dinners featured a visual symphony on Qatar and Qatar Airways, as well as US-styled entertainment performed by the 'Rat Pack' song troupe, and a menu based on well-known American cuisine.

The tour coincides with the launch of a Gulf-wide media advertising campaign designed to highlight awareness in the GCC markets of Qatar Airways' forthcoming flights to the North American continent.

Qatar Airways will fly four-times-a-week to Newark Liberty International Airport, from June 26. The flights will operate via Geneva - another new destination for Qatar Airways.

Washington will come on-line less than a month later with daily non-stop flights, beginning on July 19.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker was delighted at the success of the tour, saying that awareness of the airline's summer launches to the United States was extremely high.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Sharq Village & Spa in Doha, he said: "There has been overwhelming interest across the GCC in Qatar Airways' new flights to New York and Washington DC. We will be the only carrier based in the Middle East flying daily non-stop flights to the American capital, and will also be the only airline based in the Middle East flying to Newark Liberty International Airport, the gateway to New York City."

"This interest is being reflected in the huge amount of pre-sales to the United States. With the launch of these new flights to New York and Washington, we are offering the travelling public from Qatar, across the GCC and key markets in the Indian subcontinent with a greater choice and options of flying Qatar Airways' award-winning Five Star service to these exciting destinations in the United States."

He added: "These launches are the highlight of our expansion plans for 2007 and are part of the airline's strategy to grow its international route network to key business and leisure cities."

The GCC roadshow follows on from a similar successful round of press briefings held across the United States last week.

And across India, a number of promotional activities have begun with media briefings in Mumbai and Delhi. The briefings highlighted Qatar Airways' excellent connections from India through the airline's hub in Doha, and onwards to New York and Washington DC.

NEW YORK schedules, effective June 26 are:-

Depart Doha International Airport

Tue, Thur, Sat and Sun                       QR083 at 0840, arrive New York at 1855

Depart Newark Liberty International Airport

Tue, Thur, Sat and Sun                       QR084 at 2155, arrive Doha at 2015 next day

WASHINGTON DC schedules, effective July 19 are:-

Depart Doha International Airport

DAILY                                                  QR051 at 1135, arrive Washington DC at 1910

Depart Washington Dulles International Airport

DAILY                                                  QR052 at 2255, arrive Doha at 1900 next day