|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 8 February 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Qatar Airways to serve 60 major cities by year end One of the world's fastest growing airlines, Qatar Airways, will add four prestigious global destinations to its list this year, according to Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. Al Baker said Qatar Airways would fly to Luxor, Istanbul, Zurich and Kabul, this summer. He made the announcement during a joint press conference held with Dr. Majdi Sabri, IATA's Regional Vice-President for the Middle East, who was in Doha on behalf of the global air travel association, to congratulate Qatar Airways for completing ten successful years of service. The airline has been expanding rapidly adding ten destinations towards the end of last year to reach 48. That trend is being continued well into this year with a target of serving more than 60 major worldwide destinations by the end of 2004, said Qatar Airways CEO. "In June, we will begin flights to Luxor in Egypt and to Istanbul in Turkey. The following month, in July, a new service will commence to Zurich in Switzerland and in November we will begin flights to Kabul in Afghanistan," said Al Baker. "A lot has changed at Qatar Airways. The airline that was first launched is a very different to the one that now operates," he said. Qatar Airways CEO highlighted the major milestones; the award-winning airline has passed in its young journey. "One of the key milestones was the Qatari Government's decision to become a shareholder in the airline. His Highness the Emir, has a strong vision for our country. He has rightly foreseen that the development of Qatar Airways would facilitate the economic and social growth of Qatar. H.H. Emir's Vision"And it's because of His Highness' vision that Qatar Airways has become the success that it is today. Qatar Airways has truly become the flagship of our nation. It represents our aspirations of growth and our commitment to deliver the best," Al Baker said. He said the other significant milestone occurred in 1997, when Qatar Airways was relaunched. "We reintroduced Qatar Airways with a very strong focus on the customer, on innovation and an eye for small details. And it is because of this, that the Oryx on our tail fin has become a symbol for airline quality," said the airline CEO. He said that in 1997 was the year that the airline began its expansion. Rapid Expansion "If you had told me then that in 2004 we would have 29 aircraft in our fleet, and be flying to 48 destinations, I would not have believed you. If you had told me that by 2008 we would have a fleet of 52 aircraft, servicing more than 60 international destinations, I would have thought that rather over-ambitious," Al Baker said. "But today, I see those dreams come true. Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world today," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind that Qatar Airways will offer new surprises in the next year and the next 10 years," the airline CEO concluded. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
