Qatar Airways officially launches Orient Express service to Shanghai and Seoul

The inaugural Orient Express service to Shanghai and Seoul departed Doha at midnight yesterday, as a prelude to the launch of new Qatar Airways services to Singapore, Vienna, Tripoli and Cebu in the southern Philippines, within the next six weeks.

"This is another historic moment for Qatar Airways," said Airline Chief Executive Officer Mr. Akbar Al Baker.

"Qatar Airways will be the only airline from the Middle East to offer its passengers direct access to Seoul in South Korea," he pointed out.

"It is also the first time that we are opening up a service to the People's Republic of China," Mr. Al Baker added.

Shanghai and Seoul now became our 43rd and 44th international destinations as we continue to extend our network throughout the Far East.

"Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, and Cebu will join the Qatar Airways-served cities of Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, as we continue to offer our world-class service to an increasing number of cities.

"We started a thrice-weekly service to Shanghai and Seoul yesterday, and will begin thrice-weekly services to Singapore and Cebu from December 10," said the Chief Executive of Qatar's flag carrier.

"Qatar Airways will also extend its network within Europe and North Africa within the next month. We will begin a thrice-weekly service to Vienna from November 19 and a thrice-weekly service to Tripoli from November 9," Mr. Al Baker said.

"Shanghai and Seoul will become two of 50 cities that we will serve by the end of this year, two of eight destinations that we will serve in the Far East, and two of 60 cities that we will serve within another two years," added Mr Al Baker.

Qatar Airways is using the new and modern A330-200s to service Shanghai and Seoul.

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, and currently operates a fleet of 26 aircraft from its hub in the Qatari capital of Doha.

The airline recently signed a US$ 5.1 billion order for 34 additional Airbus aircraft in a deal that will increase the fleet to 52 by 2008. Qatar Airways is one of the launch customers for the super-jumbo A380-800, which will be delivered by 2009.

Qatar Airways is currently flying to 44 destinations worldwide, and will be add Singapore, Cebu, Tripoli and Vienna to its extensive route network before the end of this year. Within the coming two years, the number of destinations served by Qatar Airways will be 60.

The independent airline quality monitor Skytrax has voted Qatar Airways' cabin service best in the Middle East and fifth best in the world.

The United Kingdom's Institute of Transport Management recently voted Qatar Airways as Best Middle Eastern Regional Airline in 2003.

Qatar Airways made history last month, when the airline became the first airline in the world to pass the new International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), with 100 per cent compliance.

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