Qatar Airways offers bonus Qmiles on new Tunis and Algiers routes

From 2nd May 2005, Qatar Airways will launch three flights a week non-stop between its operational hub of Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, and the Tunisian capital of Tunis. The flights will continue onto Algiers, the capital of Algeria.

Privilege Club members will be able to earn double Qmiles for the first full month of the new service until 1st June 2005.

The addition of Tunis and Algiers will strengthen Qatar Airways' presence in the North
African market, where the airline already serves Cairo, Luxor, Khartoum, Tripoli and Casablanca from Doha.

Both new routes will provide convenient connections for passengers travelling to and from the Middle East, Indian sub-continent and Far East.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said he was delighted that the airline was rewarding its most loyal customers.

"Our frequent flyer programme has been recognised as one of the best in the Middle East and we are only too pleased to be able to provide our loyal passengers with a token of our appreciation to mark the launch of the new flights to Tunis and Algiers.

"Both new routes have strong business interests. Major exports out of Algeria are oil and gas, so there is a lot of synergy between Qatar and Algeria. And Tunisia has a thriving tourism industry, as well as strong commercial opportunities which make this route an extremely viable one for Qatar Airways."

Added Iain Webster, Qatar Airways' Senior Manager Privilege Club: "This introductory bonus to our Privilege Club members is an additional 'thank you' for their support. I also look forward to welcoming many new members to Privilege Club from Algeria and Tunisia."

Qatar Airways plans to use an Airbus A319 configured in Business and Economy on both new routes, as well as an A300, which has a three-class configuration of First, Business and Economy.

The launch of Tunis and Algiers follows the start of scheduled flights between Doha and Osaka on 31st March 2005.

Qatar Airways currently operates scheduled flights from its Doha hub to 59 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Far East. New destinations added in recent weeks have included Seychelles, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Yangon and Beijing.

The airline operates a modern all-Airbus fleet of 39 aircraft, which will double in size over the next few years following a $5.1bn order for 34 additional Airbus jets. Qatar Airways is one of the launch customers of the twin-deck A380 'super jumbos' with four aircraft on order, scheduled for delivery from 2009.

As one of the fastest growing and youngest carriers in the world, Qatar Airways has made significant inroads in the global aviation industry to become an award-winning airline in just a short few years.

It is one of only three airlines in the world to be ranked a Five Star carrier for excellent service and high standards by Skytrax.

Skytrax, the independent aviation industry quality monitoring agency, also ranked Qatar Airways' cabin crew as the best in the Middle East in 2004 for the second year running and fifth best in the world following a survey of more than two million passengers worldwide.