Doha-based Qatar Airways plans aggressive expansion strategy into long-haul markets during the next few years as it takes delivery of additional aircraft.
It has ordered 32 Boeing 777 ” a mix of the Long Range and Extended Range versions ” plus an incredible 60 787s, 80 Airbus A350s and five A380s, with the bill coming to more than $30bn (”15.2bn).
At the launch of its fourth Chinese route ” to Guangzhou - Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker said: ”With our ideal central geographical position in the Gulf, we will soon be able to operate flights to any key city around the world non-stop, thanks to the arrival of the Long Range version of our Boeing 777 aircraft later this year.”
Al Baker said the Doha-Guangzhou rotation ” with the four weekly flights being upped to five from 1 May - is an example of Qatar”s commitment to linking key cities with thriving economies.
”We have steadily built up our business in China [since 2003], first with Shanghai, then Beijing and Hong Kong ” and now I am pleased to see our service expand to yet another key city. Guangzhou offers both business and leisure travellers an alternative gateway to this fascinating country.
”The route provides a strong sporting link as Doha hosted the biggest ever Asian Games in 2006, while Guangzhou is set to host the next Asian Games in 2010.”
Qatar is also launching its third American route on 10 November with direct services from Doha to Houston, Texas.
Al Baker said reclamation work for the construction of Doha”s new international airport has been completed ” 60% of it will be built on dredged land ” and both runways and the terminal are well under construction.
Due to open in 2010 with an initial capacity of 24m passengers a year, rising to 50m from 2015, it will facilitate Qatar”s ambitious expansion.