Qatar Airways is to expand its operations to Bahrain and its holiday division is to promote the country as a tourist destination, its new area manager for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, Saeed Parkar, says.

Qatar Airways was currently growing at the rate of 30 per cent per year, he said.

"I am delighted to be in Bahrain, which is also growing steadily as one of the major stations of our network," Parkar said.

"Currently, we operate 15 flights a week between Doha and Bahrain, and the number will increase to 16 on May 1.

"Qatar Airways started a holiday division at its headquarters last year. We hope to launch a unit of the division in Bahrain in March. It will help to increase both inbound and outbound tourism, and contribute towards further promoting Bahrain as a destination for international tourists."

"We hope to bring more passengers from the Saudi Eastern Province via King Fahad Causeway to join our flights from Bahrain.

"We are thus indirectly contributing towards the marketing of Bahrain International Airport."

Parkar said he would launch a new campaign to enhance relationship with the government, the travel trade and the customers.

Qatar Airways now operates to 30 destinations, including three new ones, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and the Maldives.

Milan and Casablanca will be added to the network this year.

Qatar Airways's current fleet of 12 aircraft, six A 320s and six A300-600s, will increase to 14 in May.

"We have also become the ninth airline in the world and second in the Middle East to have given confirmed orders for two of the most modern A380 superjumbos, which will be delivered in 2006," said Parkar.

Parkar said his Bahrain office would focus on the training and development of more Bahrainis.