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Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker and Tim Holding, Victoria State Minister for Tourism and Major Events, exchange gifts following a press conference in Melbourne celebrating the airline’s first flight to Australia |
AUSTRALIA. Qatar Airways is celebrating the launch of scheduled services to Australia following the airline’s inaugural flight into Melbourne last night.
The new Doha-Melbourne route signals the beginning of Qatar Airways’ operations to Australia, and adds another continent to the airline’s rapidly expanding global network.
Melbourne becomes the airline’s 85th destination and its fourth new route of 2009. And the carrier has announced plans to launch flights to Sydney next year.
On board the maiden flight – QR030 from Doha – was the airline’s CEO, Akbar Al Baker, who led a high-profile delegation including the Australian Ambassador to the UAE and Qatar, H.E. Doug Trappett, senior company executives and international media.
Qatar Airways is operating its newest aircraft – a Boeing 777-200LR delivered less than four weeks ago – on the route, flying initially three times a week (Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays).
The Doha-based airline takes delivery of another Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft direct from Boeing’s Seattle manufacturing base this month and will use the aircraft on the Melbourne route, stepping up frequency to daily from 1 January.
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Akbar Al Baker addresses local and international media in Melbourne in celebration of the airline’s first flight to Australia |
The Hon. Tim Holding, Victorian Government Minister of Tourism and Major Events, provided an official welcome for Qatar Airways at the state government offices in Melbourne, where a joint press conference was held this morning.
Addressing the media Al Baker said: “We have been eagerly planning our entry into the Australian market for several years – and we are delighted to finally arrive here in Melbourne.
“Qatar Airways would like to extend its appreciation and thanks to the Australian authorities, which have worked tirelessly to pave the way for Qatar Airways to begin its operations.
“We have been in Australia for a number of years as an offline carrier, with a sales office in the heart of the city of Melbourne, but today marks an historic moment as we extend our Five Star hospitality to yet another continent in our global network. We also look forward to starting flights to Sydney next year.
“We believe our award-winning Five Star hospitality across both our Business and Economy cabins will appeal to the Australian market and people from around the world for this much anticipated route.
“Australians are well travelled and we are delighted to facilitate travel to and from Melbourne to many cities worldwide via our Doha hub in Qatar, whether people are travelling on business or leisure,” Al Baker added.
The launch of flights to Melbourne ahead of the busy holiday season ends a year of further growth for the airline, which also launched services to Houston and both Amritsar and Goa in India during 2009.
“We are entering the Australian market at a time of continued growth, despite the current economic climate when many airlines worldwide are consolidating and retrenching. Our strategy is long-term, maintaining our expansion plans to meet demand and this will remain unaffected despite the events around us.
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The Qatar Airways flight deck crew which operated the airline’s first flight from Doha to Melbourne |
Minister Tim Holding said it was a fantastic milestone for Victoria’s tourism industry and for Melbourne as a leading gateway city to Australia to welcome Qatar’s national carrier to the city.
“The Brumby government is working to increase international air services, which bring more tourists to Melbourne, boost our economy and create jobs for local people,” he said.
“Qatar Airways, which is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, has shown confidence in Victoria by choosing Melbourne Airport as its first Australian destination and setting up its head office in Melbourne’s central business district, initially employing 25 people.
“More direct air services to Melbourne Airport help to bring more tourists to Victoria from overseas and also provide Victorians with access to more competitive international airfares.”
MORE STORIES ON QATAR AIRWAYS
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Qatar Airways wins Best Middle Eastern Airline award – 13/10/09
Qatar Airways wins TTG Airline of the Year 2009 award – 30/09/09
