QATAR Airways recently launched scheduled daily flights to Brazil and Argentina, aiming to capitalise on the growing trade and economic links between South America and the Middle East.
The two new routes complete a five-month expansion programme so far this year which has seen the airline introduce flights to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Copenhagen, Ankara, Tokyo and Barcelona.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker led a high-profile delegation of dignitaries and international media from Asia and the Gulf region on the inaugural flight QR921 from Doha to Sao Paulo and onwards to Buenos Aires.
They included Brazil’s ambassador to Qatar, Anuar Nahes, and Ruben Caro, Argentina’s ambassador to Qatar.
“Just 13 years ago, Qatar Airways embarked on an ambitious plan by launching an airline that would spread its wings far and wide and offer the highest levels of service and hospitality,” said Al Baker speaking at arrival receptions at both airports.
“I am proud to say that we have achieved a remarkable feat, stretching our award-winning five-star service to South America by serving both Brazil and Argentina, which takes our international network up to 92 destinations across six continents.
“The timing of our new routes could not have been better and we are confident that entering the relatively untapped South American market will be a great success.
“With a large Lebanese and Japanese community living in Brazil, Argentina and neighbouring South American countries, the route is a perfect match for our business model, which carries passengers from East to West and vice versa via our Doha hub.”
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The inaugural flight touches down to a water cannon salute |
The new South American flights offer excellent connections to and from key cities worldwide, across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific via the airline’s Doha hub. These include Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, Melbourne, Nairobi, Beirut, Dubai and Muscat.
During a four-month period starting in October 2010, Qatar Airways will expand its international route network further with six new routes, operating scheduled flights from Doha to Phuket, Hanoi, Nice, Brussels, Bucharest And Budapest.
The airline operates the Boeing 777-200 in a two-class configuration of 259 seats – 42 in business and 217 in economy – to Brazil and Argentina.
In business class, passengers enjoy a seat pitch of up to 78 inches with seats converting into 180-degree fully-flat beds. With a 2–2–2 seat configuration, business passengers are assured of either a window or aisle seat.
In economy, seat space is above the industry average with a pitch of up to 34 inches. The 3–3–3 seat configuration is the most spacious of any airline flying to South America from the Middle East.
By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of 120 aircraft. Today, the airline’s fleet stands at 84 aircraft.