Qatar Airways promotes new US routes at ATM

The airline embarks on its US route expansion programme on June 28 with four flights-a-week between Doha and New York, followed by daily non-stop services linking the Qatari capital with Washington DC, beginning July 19.

The launch of the US flights is the highlight of Qatar Airways' route expansion programme during 2007, which sees a further seven cities added to the airline's burgeoning international network. This includes scheduled services between Doha and Geneva from June 28 with the flights continuing on to New York.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is in Dubai attending Arabian Travel Market with a delegation from head office for the four-day event, being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

From US-style entertainment and American food served on the Qatar Airways stand, the airline - one of only five carriers in the world ranked Five Star for service and hospitality by industry audit Skytrax - is taking huge steps to make its participation at this year's ATM yet another crowd puller.

"Qatar Airways entered 2007 in buoyant mood with the launch of scheduled flights to Dar es Salaam, followed by Lagos and, more recently Chennai, Bali and Ho Chin Minh City," said Al Baker.

"We are now raring to go with our first move into the US market with Qatar Airways flights to New York City and Washington DC. Arabian Travel Market is the premier travel trade event in the Middle East that attracts visitors from across the travel industry, not only within the region, but from around the world, for what promises to be four days of productive business.

"Qatar Airways has fabulous entertainment with a strong US theme on the stand. We are also showcasing our unique First Class lounge, currently a key feature on our Airbus A340 aircraft, which is used on selected routes, including our soon-to-be-launched Washington service."

Al Baker said that in support of the new US route launches, Qatar Airways has begun a US media campaign across leading English and Arabic newspapers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The campaign focuses on Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain. Striking, creative images of America's most powerful icons - the Statue of Liberty in New York and the White House in Washington DC - are among those being used by the airline to promote the new routes.

Added Al Baker: "Our new US media campaign, which has kicked off in key publications across the GCC, further reinforces the message that Qatar Airways is ready for America this summer. With two gateway cities to the rest of the US being launched within a few weeks of each other, Qatar Airways is looking forward to these high-profile launches, which will spread our award-winning Five-Star service to yet another continent."

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 57 all-Airbus aircraft to 75 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East and the Indian subcontinent. The new US flights from Doha will offer excellent connections to and from the GCC markets.

With a growing international network, more travellers 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 including a spa, jacuzzi, duty free, business centre and fine dining restaurants. Built in just nine months, the US$90 million terminal is the world's first commercial passenger building dedicated to First and Business Class passengers.