QATAR AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES 100th DESTINATION

Carrier Launches Aleppo, Second Syrian Destination From April 6

11 November 2010

Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways today announced its 100th destination, a milestone for one of the world’s fastest growing airlines. In a span of just 13 years, starting with only four aircraft to currently 91, soaring from 13 destinations to 94, the carrier has experienced double digit growth year on year. The airline is ranked the third best in the world, and holds a string of accolades cementing its status as a high quality and service-oriented global 5-star carrier.
The latest route will start four-times-weekly flights to Aleppo, Syria, starting from 6 April 2011. Named as a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest cities in the world, Aleppo will be the airline’s second destination in Syria, after Damascus, where the carrier has been flying since 1998.
Qatar Airways is the first Gulf-based, international carrier to commence operations to Aleppo. The highly anticipated route will provide access to a global network spanning six continents from the airline’s hub in Doha. A key benefit of the route is the link it provides to Syrian communities around the world, in addition to a variety of leisure and business cities.

The latest destination will enhance trade and boost economic ties with Syria’s trading partners. Tourism will also see a strong surge, as visitors to the country have doubled since 1990 and will only continue to grow with the newly announced route.

The three-hour journey from Doha – Aleppo will be operated with an A320 in a two-class configuration featuring 12 seats in First Class and up to 132 seats in Economy. Aleppo will be the airline’s fifth new route in its global expansion in 2011, following Budapest (January 17), Bucharest (January 17), Brussels (January 31) and Stuttgart (March 6).

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to commemorate our 100th destination by announcing our latest route to a city in our home region. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Aleppo is of strategic importance, providing links between east and west via Doha for business and leisure purposes.”

The travel market in the Middle East is experiencing significant growth and one which Al Baker stressed Qatar Airways is well placed to take advantage of. With the addition of the new Boeing 787 aircraft, which will join the carrier’s fleet in late 2011 and be deployed on regional routes, capacity and frequency will only continue to grow.

“IATA pegged growth in the Middle East region at over 23 per cent in 2010 compared to last year. Our award-winning service and young and modern fleet will only propel our position as a leading global carrier,” he added.

Qatar Airways flies to a number of key leisure and business destinations including Delhi, London, New York, Washington, Houston, Melbourne, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.