Qatar Airways launches flights to Stockholm

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker led a delegation of head office airline officials and Qatar-based journalists onboard flight QR091 as it departed Doha for the Swedish capital, marking the launch of the carrier's 80th destination.

Airport managing director Kerstin Lindberg Goeransson was joined by fellow officials, tour operators and corporate guests at Stockholm Arlanda International Airport to welcome the inaugural flight as it landed this morning to a red carpet ceremony and Swedish entertainment.

Stockholm is Qatar Airways' second European route launch of the year, following on from this summer's new services between Doha and Geneva. Qatar Airways now operates scheduled flights to 80 cities worldwide with a modern fleet of 58 all-Airbus aircraft.

Addressing officials and media on arrival in Stockholm, Al Baker said Qatar Airways was honoured to be the only airline from the Middle East to operate direct flights to Scandinavia.

"It is a great pleasure to see our aircraft in Scandinavia for the first time and indeed become the only carrier from the Middle East to serve this region," he said.

"Stockholm, in particular, was chosen because of the huge amount of business and tourism interest in this wonderful scenic city and its surroundings. Our new flights will contribute to bridging links between two very different parts of the world.

"We welcome Swedish passengers and customers from across Scandinavia to enjoy our award-winning Five Star service from Stockholm to Doha and connecting onto our wide network of flights across the Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Far East."

Al Baker explained that the addition of Stockholm reinforced the airline's strategy to serve key cities around the world. With the likes of New York, Washington, Geneva and Ho Chi Minh City added to Qatar Airways' global network this year, he said Stockholm was yet another important city in its burgeoning portfolio of exciting destinations.

Qatar Airways operates four non-stop scheduled flights a week between Doha and Stockholm, one of Europe's strongest economies. The Doha-based airline is operating an Airbus A319 in a two-class configuration of eight seats in Business Class and 102 seats in Economy.

Sweden is Europe's third largest country in size with a population of nine million people. Its capital Stockholm is the largest city in Scandinavia with a population of around 800,000 inhabitants, similar to Qatar. The city is built on 14 islands, which are connected by 57 bridges and embraces a unique character of its 13th century Old Town and modern high-tech architecture.

Sweden is the largest market in the Baltic Sea region attracting the highest numbers of business travellers and tourists among all Scandinavian countries.

With highly developed firms in the construction, environmental technology and telecommunication sectors, there are already significant business tie-ups between Qatar and Sweden - and indeed the entire Scandinavian region.

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

Celebrating its first anniversary this month, the Premium Terminal features facilities including 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.

The Dubai - Doha - Stockholm schedules, effective 27 November 2007 are:-

Depart Dubai International Airport

Monday
QR101 at 1105, arrive Doha International at 1105
Tuesday
QR115 at 0005, arrive Doha International at 0005
Friday
QR101 at 1105. arrive Doha International at 1105
Saturday
QR115, at 0005, arrive Doha International at 0005
Depart Doha International Airport

Monday
QR089 at 1320, arrive Stockholm-Arlanda at 1810
Tuesday
QR091 at 0215, arrive Stockholm-Arlanda at 0705
Friday
QR089 at 1320, arrive Stockholm-Arlanda at 1810
Saturday
QR091 at 0215, arrive Stockholm-Arlanda at 0705

Depart Stockholm-Arlanda Airport
Monday
QR090 at 2140, arrive Doha International at 0615 following day
Tuesday
QR092 at 1035, arrive Doha International at 1910
Friday
QR090 at 2140, arrive Doha International at 0615 following day
Saturday
QR092 at 1035, arrive Doha International at 1910

Depart Doha International Airport

Monday
QR100 at 0800, arrive Dubai International at 1005
Tuesday
QR114 at 2050, arrive Dubai International at 2255
Friday
QR100 at 0800, arrive Dubai International at 1005
Saturday
QR114 at 2050, arrive Dubai International at 2255