QATAR Airways’ 2012 expansion programme is under way after the carrier launched scheduled daily flights to Tbilisi, Georgia via Baku, Azerbaijan on February 1. Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker led a high-profile delegation on the Baku and Tbilisi inaugural flight QR976, including Eldar Salimov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the State of Qatar; Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze, Ambassador of Georgia to the State of Qatar; Abdul Razzaq Al Abdul Ghani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Turkey and Georgia; international media and airline executives.
Addressing guests, Al Baker said Azerbaijan’s developing tourism industry and energy resources were key factors in Qatar Airways’ decision to start operations there.
“We assessed Azerbaijan as a destination with great potential that would create a new air corridor providing wider choices for both leisure and business travellers,” he said.
“Azerbaijan’s rich energy resources offer great business opportunities, and a landscape that provides a good base for family and independent tourism.
“As the only five-star airline flying to Baku, Qatar Airways is proud to bring its award-winning service to the people of Azerbaijan.”
“Tbilisi becomes Qatar Airways’ 112th destination worldwide and it gives me great pleasure to celebrate our arrival here.
After inaugurating seven new routes across Europe last year, the addition of two cities in South Eastern Europe further diversifies Qatar Airways’ portfolio on the Continent. Destinations currently served across Europe include Ankara, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Venice, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London Heathrow and Madrid.
From Doha, the airline offers excellent onward connections to cities across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, including Dubai, Muscat, Kuwait, Entebbe, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi, Goa and Melbourne.
As part of its 2012 expansion programme, Qatar Airways will launch flights to seven further destinations – Kigali (Rwanda) from March 21; Zagreb (Croatia) from May 9; Perth (Australia) from July 3; with dates yet to be announced for other new routes – Mombasa (Kenya), Zanzibar (Tanzania), Helsinki (Finland), and Gassim (Saudi Arabia).
The airline also opened its new Premium Lounge at London Heathrow reinforcing the importance of one of the airline’s busiest routes. The Premium Lounge at Terminal 4 will be the airline’s first dedicated facility for First and Business Class passengers outside its Doha hub. The carrier currently operates the award-winning Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for use by passengers travelling in First or Business Class.
The opening marks the start of another busy year for the carrier, with the launch of new routes, as well as additional capacity on the London Heathrow – Doha route, being stepped up from four to five flights a day, effective March 25.
Designed to resemble a boutique hotel or private member’s club rather than a conventional airport lounge, the new Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Heathrow has been created to provide the ultimate in luxury and five-star service. Qatar Airways recruited lounge staff from Five Star hotels and restaurants to work in the theatre-style Global Brasserie kitchen and innovative Delicatessen.
The lounge also includes private shower facilities, with heated floors and mirrors, hotel-style towels and luxury brand toiletries and amenities. Business and leisure travellers can stay connected with free wi-fi throughout the lounge, discreet power sockets at every seat and a business centre that includes PCs and printers.