Moscow has become Qatar Airways’ 42nd destination with its inaugural flight landing at Sheremetyevo Airport.
“Moscow represents our 42nd destination and our first Eastern European city,” said chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker as QR868 carrying an airline delegation led by him landed in Moscow.
Senior government officials and airport authorities received the Qatar Airways team.
Qatar Airways will fly three times a week to Moscow, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Flights will leave Doha on Wednesdays at 07.45am and arrive at 2.05pm.
On Fridays, the flight will leave Doha at 07.15am and arrive at 1.35pm. And on Saturdays, the flight will leave at 11.30am and arrive at 5.50pm.
The flight will leave Moscow on Wednesdays at 3.05pm and reach Doha at 7.05pm. On Fridays, the flight will leave at 2.45pm, arriving in Doha at 6.45pm. And on Saturdays, the flights will depart Moscow at 6.50pm and arrive at 10.50pm.
“We expect Moscow to be very popular with the leisure market,” said Al Baker.
“We’re also anticipating a significant amount of business traffic given the increasing trade relations between Russia and the Gulf region.
“I think Russians will quickly become aware that when they fly Qatar Airways, they will be getting the best cabin service of any Middle Eastern airline, and one of the best in the world.
“We’ll also offer good connections to the rest of the Gulf, the Middle East and the Qatar Airways network.
“We’ll initially be using our new long range A319 on the route. We’ve chosen this aircraft because of its range and the high level of comfort and services it gives passengers,” said Al Baker.
As part of this growth plan, Qatar Airways will extend its route network to 50 destinations by the end of 2003. It has recently added Manchester and Rome to its increasing route network.
It will soon be adding Shanghai, Seoul and Tripoli to its route network.