Qatar airways announces six new routes

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker announces the routes.

Qatar Airways announced it will launch six new routes starting from October 2010.

The Doha-based airline will phase in the route expansion over a four-month period with daily flights to Phuket kicking off on October 11. The new flights will operate via Kuala Lumpur.

Three weeks later, on November 1, Qatar Airways will add the Vietnamese capital Hanoi to its network with four flights a week via Bangkok.

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The new route will support existing services to Vietnam’s largest city of Ho Chi Minh City, where flights will also be stepped up from four-a-week to daily.

November 24 marks the launch of the carrier’s European expansion drive with thrice-weekly flights to the French Mediterranean city of Nice. Flights will operate via Milan.

The New Year will see Qatar Airways’ entry into Eastern Europe with the launch of four flights a week to the Romanian capital of Bucharest, starting on January 17. The services continue on to Budapest, capital city of Hungary.And on January 31, the airline begins five flights a week to Brussels.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said of the expansion drive: “Budapest, Bucharest, Brussels, Nice, Hanoi and Phuket represent markets underserved so these are excellent opportunities for us to tap into.

“We spend a lot of time diligently analysing new route opportunities and I am pleased to say that the routes being announced will not only open up new markets, but also strengthen our network strategy over our Doha hub.”

He added: “Today’s route network and fleet size will increase sharply over the next few years and all of us within Qatar Airways rise to the challenge by continuing to give our customers the Five Star level of service they fully deserve.”

By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 business and leisure destinations worldwide with a fleet of 120 aircraft. Today, the airline’s fleet stands at 84 aircraft, flying to 90 destinations.