Qatar Airways increases frequency between Dubai and Doha to 49 weekly flights

The move takes total capacity between the two key markets to 49 scheduled flights a week, strengthening links between the major regional economic centres and helping travellers in Dubai to take advantage of Qatar Airways' extensive global network.

"Dubai is a vital market for Qatar Airways," explained Naveen Chawla, Qatar Airways' Area Manager Dubai & Northern Emirates.

"As one of the major economic hubs in the region, the demand for travel to and from Dubai is huge.

"By increasing the number of daily flights to Dubai, Qatar Airways is reinforcing its commitment to cut transit times and give passengers based in Dubai full access to Qatar Airways' network of 56 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East."

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. It currently operates 36 modern all-Airbus aircraft, which is expected to double in size over the next few years following a $5.1bn order for 34 additional planes over the next few years.

The airline is one of only three carriers to be awarded a Five Star status by Skytrax, the independent aviation monitoring agency which also ranked Qatar Airways cabin crew as the best in the Middle East for the second year running and fifth best in the world.

Qatar Airways is currently undergoing a rapid expansion programme, with plans to serve at least 70 destinations by the end of 2005.

During winter 2004/2005, the airline will increase its global network from 53 to 59 destinations from its Doha hub. Beijing and London Gatwick were launched on November 25 and 26 respectively, Seychelles came on line on December 1, Yangon in Myanmar joins the global map on January 8 followed on January 16 by both Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker said: "These new routes will further expand Qatar Airways' global reach and presence.
"With the extra flight from Dubai to Doha, travellers in the UAE can now enjoy improved access to these new routes, as well as Qatar Airways' other, more established destinations," he added.

In order to help serve this expanding network, Qatar Airways recently became the first airline in the region to take delivery of the state-of-the-art three class Airbus 330-300, which will mainly operate on key European routes from Doha such as London Heathrow, Paris and Frankfurt.