Qatar Airways plans 9 new destinations for 2007

Dar Es Salaam, the commercial and financial centre of Tanzania, becomes the newest addition to Qatar Airways' family of routes with direct non-stop services launched to the city.

Qatar Airways operates four flights a week between Doha International Airport and Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. The route is operated with an Airbus A319 in a two-class configuration of eight seats in Business and 102 in Economy.

The Doha-based airline sees 2007 as a year of huge expansion with non-stop services planned to key destinations around the world - Bali, New York, Lagos, Ho Chi Minh City, Chennai, Ahmedabad and two, as yet to be announced, cities in northern and eastern Europe.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said Dar es Salaam was a key city in the airline's strategy to build a stronger network of destinations across the African continent.

"We launched flights to Nairobi at the end of 2005, we have now begun services to Dar Es Salaam and will bring Lagos on line over the next few weeks," he said.

"Africa presents huge opportunities and we see this region as a growth area for Qatar Airways. Dar es Salaam is one of the premier business destinations in Africa and the gateway to fantastic holiday retreats such as game reserves and the spectacular Mount Kilimanjaro volcano."

Al Baker said 2007 would be a year of massive expansion in frequencies, routes and aircraft.

"This is a year of huge celebration for Qatar Airways. We have come a long way since our relaunch in 1997 when we operated a handful of aircraft to a handful of routes.

"Now, in our 10th anniversary year, we have exciting new destinations joining Qatar Airways' growing network, together with more flights on existing routes to give passengers more choice, and brand new Airbus and Boeing aircraft joining the fleet with deliveries of the first of our Boeing 777s towards the end of 2007."

Al Baker added that the expansion reinforced the message that Qatar Airways was one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, with 71 destinations served from Doha to cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and Far East.

With a growing international network, he added that more travellers would have an opportunity to use Qatar Airways' brand new Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and Business Class passengers.

The Premium Terminal features facilities such as a spa, jacuzzi, duty free, business centre and fine dining restaurants. Built in just nine months, the terminal is the world's first commercial passenger building dedicated to First and Business Class passengers.