Qatar Airways launches inaugural flight to Rome

An official delegation, led by Qatar Airways' Regional Manager for Qatar and Africa Mr Fathi Shehab, was met at Rome's Fiumicino airport by Qatar's Ambassador to Italy, representatives of Aeroporti di Roma and the media.

The inaugural flight was seen off from Doha by the Italian Ambassador to Qatar HE Mr Iannuzzi and Qatar Airways General Manager Commercial Mr Mohamed Saleh Fakhri.

"I have the pleasure to announce that Qatar Airways will be flying to Rome four times a week," said Qatar Airways' Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akbar Al Baker.

"Rome has become Qatar Airways 41st destination, our seventh European destination, and our second Italian destination.

"We expect Rome will be an attractive destination for both the leisure and business markets.

"Rome will also allow us to serve and showcase our premium product to the people of southern Italy, just as Milan has successfully showcased our services to the people of the north," said Mr Al Baker.

Mr Shehab said that Qatar Airways will service Rome and Milan with four triangular flights a week between Doha, Rome and Milan. The route will be reversed twice a week.

"Qatar Airways will operate two non-stop flights a week to both Rome and Milan, and service both cities four times a week," said Mr Shehab.

"Non-stop flights to Rome will depart from Doha every Monday and Wednesday, leaving at 1410 on Mondays, and leaving 0315 hrs on Wednesdays.

"Non-stop flights to Milan will depart from Doha every Friday and Sunday, leaving at 1315 hrs on Fridays and 0230hrs on Sundays.

"All the flights to Italy have been planned to give fast connections with Qatar Airways flights from the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East.

"Qatar Airways will use A300-600s on the Doha-Rome-Milan service," said Mr Shehab.

Building on a reputation of premium customer service, Qatar Airways has launched an aggressive growth plan to ensure that it can offer people a greater choice of destination, more flights, and the latest in-flight products and services.

As part of this growth plan, Qatar Airways will extend its route network to 50 destinations by the end of 2003. It presently flies to 41 destinations. It has recently added Manchester and Rome to its increasing route network. It will begin flights to Moscow in August.

Qatar Airways is also increasing its fleet. It presently has 24 new Airbus aircraft, which will increase to 29 by the end of this year. Qatar Airways recently announced that it would take delivery of a long range A319 corporate jetliner. It is also one of the launch customers for the A380 'super jumbo' in 2007.

Qatar Airways also operates a number of subsidiary companies including: Qatar Aviation Services, Qatar Aviation Catering Company, Qatar Airways Holidays, Doha International Airport, and Qatar Duty Free.