The FINANCIAL — Travellers to and from Oman are set to benefit from Qatar Airways’ latest expansion plans that will see a 30% increase in frequencies on this route from the end of the month.
The airline is scheduled to begin operating 21 flights a week from the capital city of Muscat to Doha, up from the current 15 services.
"The increase is part of Qatar Airways’ ongoing growth strategy, which has been ramped up for 2009 and includes six new route launches, including Melbourne and Sydney in Australia; Goa and Amritsar in India; and two further additions to its extensive European network. Frequency and capacity increases on selected routes are also scheduled," Qatar Airways reports.
Beginning March 29, the additional services from Muscat will provide increased connectivity for passengers flying to destinations on Qatar Airways’ expanding global route network, and greater convenience for travellers to Qatar and throughout the Gulf region.
At a press conference held in Muscat today, Qatar Airways Regional Manager Arabian Peninsula & Iran Ali Abdul Khaliq emphasised this latest boost was strong evidence of the continued growth in the Omani market.
“Qatar Airways is excited to be able to accommodate growing demand from the travelling public in Oman,” he said. “This has been coupled with the airline’s desire to provide dailyconnectivity to its international route network including all three gateway cities in the United States: New York, Washington, and from March 30, Houston.
“The frequency increase will not only provide greater convenience for travellers on Qatar Airways, but will also facilitate more tourist visits to Oman, and generate income for local businesses and contribute to the country’s economy,” said Abdul Khaliq.
He stressed Qatar Airways’ commitment to the Omani market and praised the authorities for allowing the airline to grow its operation in the Sultanate.
“Qatar Airways began operating twice daily flights from Muscat a little over two years ago. We have been very satisfied with the growth and this new commitment demonstrates our confidence in the market here,” he added.
Passengers from Muscat can expect excellent connections to a number of key cities on Qatar Airways’ network including all three destinations in the US: New York, Washington DC and Houston. Other key cities with improved connectivity from Muscat include London, Dar Es Salaam, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila, as well as several cities across India.
Following the introduction of the new Muscat schedule, Qatar Airways will commence operations to Houston, Texas – its first route launch of the year and third destination in the United States. The near 17-hour non-stop flight between Doha and Houston – beginning March 30 – will be operated with two brand new Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft which feature Qatar Airways’ new fully flat Business Class seats.
The airline has received three new Boeing 777 aircraft in the past six weeks and expects to receive an average of one new aircraft per month for the next two years. The Boeing 777 aircraft is expected to form the backbone of the Qatar Airways’ fleet well into the next decade.
In addition to the Muscat route expansion, Qatar Airways is stepping up capacity to seven other cities – Geneva, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Lagos, Mashad, Tunis and Algiers.
