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Al Baker said:
"Qatar's relationship with Vietnam is prospering, and as the nation's carrier, Qatar Airways is honoured to be able to assist in facilitating strengthening of relations."
Al Baker added, "The airline expects business and trade exchanges between the two nations to increase, further boosting Qatar Airways' passenger and cargo traffic on this important route."
"We anticipate new opportunities opening up in the region as Vietnam's economy continues to develop and Qatar Airways continues to expand," he added.
Qatar Airways increased it presence at this year's ITE - the largest travel trade show in Vietnam - following its successful participation in 2007.
The three-day show, which officially ended yesterday, was attended by the tourism ministers of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Vietnam's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hoang Tuan Anh; Minister of Tourism for Cambodia, Dr Thong Khon, and the Chairman Lao National Tourism Administration, Somphong Mongkhonvilay were on hand to celebrate the theme of this year's exhibition: "Three Countries, One Destination".
Speaking at a press briefing on the sidelines of the exhibition, Qatar Airways Executive Vice-President Commercial Ali Al Rais said he was impressed with the route's performance since its launch 18 months ago.
Al Rais added:
"Qatar Airways' flights between Doha and Ho Chi Minh City have performed exceptionally well and we have seen excellent numbers coming out of this region, helped by Vietnam's internet-savvy public, as many of our customers here book online."
"Soon after launching the route with four non-stop flights a week in March last year, we upgraded our aircraft to the state-of-the-art Airbus A330-300 in response to overwhelming passenger demand. We look forward to developing our route to Vietnam even further and hopefully one day we will be able to operate with daily flights to this wonderful country," he stated.
Al Rais added, "Business and leisure passengers from Vietnam and neighbouring countries are able to experience our award-winning Five Star service to Doha and beyond to many exciting destinations across Europe, Middle East and Africa."
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 63 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 83 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and North America.
Al Rais emphasised Qatar Airways' rapid growth, including the airline's outstanding orders for more than 200 aircraft worth over $30bn, as well as the $9bn development project of the New Doha International Airport, which is scheduled to open in 2011.
Posted by Siba Sami Ammari
