QATAR AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES JUNE 24 LAUNCH DATE FOR NEW SOUTH AMERICAN FLIGHTS

Doha to Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo

Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways today announced that it will begin daily flights to Brazil and Argentina from June 24, marking the airline’s first online operations to South America.

With the airline’s acquisition of two brand new Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft in the last three months, these will be deployed on the two South American routes – to the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo and Argentine capital Buenos Aires this summer.

The date announcement comes just weeks after the airline revealed plans to serve South America, and spread its wings to yet another Continent. The flights will offer convenient connections from key markets across Asia and the Gulf to South America.

Flight QR921 will depart Doha International Airport daily at 0740 hrs, arriving in Sao Paulo at 1600 hrs. The flight continues onto Buenos Aires, arriving at 2005 hrs. Return flight QR922 departs daily from Buenos Aires at 2305 hrs to Sao Paulo before continuing its journey at 0310 hrs the next day, arriving in Doha at 2310 hrs.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that adding destinations in South America to the network was a great achievement for the young airline.

“We have experienced incredible expansion over the years and by soon adding Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires to our growing network, we can proudly say Qatar Airways is a truly international airline,” said Al Baker.

Flights to Sao Paulo will be operated daily non-stop from the airline’s hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar. The aircraft will then continue onto Buenos Aires. Qatar Airways will be the only Five Star ranked airline operating daily to South America with the launch of the new flights.

The airline’s state-of-the-art Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft featuring Business Class seats that convert into 180 degree fully flat horizontal beds, will be deployed on the South American flights.

The aircraft features a total of 259 seats – 42 seats in Business Class in a 2–2–2 configuration and 217 seats in Economy in a 3–3–3 layout offering maximum space and comfort.

The aircraft is designed to operate on ultra-long routes of up to 17 hours non-stop. It already serves Houston and Melbourne, non-stop from Doha.

Added Al Baker: “We have seven new routes lined up during the first six months of 2010, and the airline plans to open up even more routes within the next 12 months as our growth strategy continues to evolve.

“The airline is receiving on average one new aircraft a month, allowing us to concentrate on enhancing our existing services, as well as opening up new routes. It’s a very exciting time for Qatar Airways.”

Qatar Airways recently launched daily flights to the southern Indian city of Bengaluru (Bangalore). Copenhagen joins the network from March 30. Flights to Ankara begin on April 5; Tokyo starts on April 26; and Barcelona from June 7.

The Doha – Sao Paulo flight schedules (all times local) are:

Depart Doha International Airport
QR921 DAILY at 0740 hrs, arrive Sao Paulo at 1600 hrs

Depart Guarulhos International Airport (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
QR922 DAILY at 0310 hrs, arrive Doha at 2310 hrs


The Doha – Buenos Aires flight schedules via Sao Paulo (all times local) are:

Depart Doha International Airport
QR921 DAILY at 0740 hrs, arrive Buenos Aires at 2005 hrs

Depart Ezeiza International Airport (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
QR922 DAILY at 2305 hrs, arrive Doha at 2310 hrs following day