QATAR AIRWAYS CONTINUES MIDDLE EAST EXPANSION
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Qatar Airways has continued its aggressive expansion plans with the launch of two new regional routes, thereby growing its strong connections within the Middle East.
The new routes, to Sharjah and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), will both operate daily from the airline’s hub in Doha and add to the existing Qatar Airways network of flights to Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi, doubling the total number of destinations within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from two to four.
The new UAE routes will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft and customers from around the world will benefit from the increased accessibility to the region as well as convenient connection times across the airline’s expanding global network. There will be three flights daily to Sharjah, with two flights per day to DWC.
Commenting on the launch, Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways, said, “Over the years, we have focused upon the expansion of our route network, and today’s launches to Sharjah and DWC demonstrate our commitment to the United Arab Emirates. As one of our closest neighbours in the Gulf, it is of key importance to offer excellent and frequent air travel connections to the UAE, and the location of both airports relative to our network will afford travellers an even wider variety of options when they are looking to reach their final destinations”, he added.
Sheikh Khalid Bin Essam Al Qassimi, Chairman, Department of Civil Aviation-Sharjah, further added, “Qatar Airways’s choice to use Sharjah International Airport as a new destination within its international network will add value to the travellers using the airport to reach their destinations in Europe, Asia and America. In addition, it will enhance the trade and transportation services between Sharjah and Doha.”
Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Airport Authority, concluded, “The launch of daily flights to Sharjah International Airport reflects the confidence of the international airlines in services and facilities provided by the airport. Today we are delighted to receive the inaugural flight of Qatar Airways, the international carrier with an excellent reputation, which will connect both Sharjah and Doha”.