Photo: Qatar Airways

Doha-based airline, Qatar Airways, is planning to expand its international flight operations by launching six new routes in Europe and Asia from October 2010, said a company release.

Qatar Airways will phase in the route expansion over a four-month period with daily flights to Phuket – after Bangkok, its second destination in Thailand – from October 11. The new flights will operate via Kuala Lumpur.

From November 1, Qatar Airways adds the Vietnamese capital Hanoi to its network with four flights a week via Bangkok. The new route will support existing services to Vietnam’s commercial centre and largest city of Ho Chi Minh City, where flights will also be stepped up from four-a-week to daily.

On November 24, Qatar Airways will start European expansion drive with thrice-weekly flights to the French Mediterranean city of Nice via Milan. With the beginning of the New Year, Qatar Airways will enter into eastern Europe with the launch of four flights a week to the Romanian capital of Bucharest, starting on January 17. The services continue on to Budapest, capital of Hungary.

It will be followed by five flights a week from January 31 to the Belgian capital of Brussels, home of the European Parliament.
On the airline’s expansion plan, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said, “Budapest, Bucharest, Brussels, Nice, Hanoi and Phuket represent markets underserved so these are excellent opportunities for us to tap into. We spend a lot of time diligently analysing new route opportunities and I am pleased to say that the routes being announced today will not only open up new markets, but also strengthen our network strategy over our Doha hub.”

By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of 120 aircraft. Today, the airline’s fleet stands at 84 aircraft, flying to 90 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and North America.

Starting June 24, Qatar Airways will introduce South America into the airline’s family of routes with the launch of flights to the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo and Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
South America represents the latest destination for Qatar Airways this year. Over the past six months, the carrier has introduced flights to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Copenhagen, Ankara, Tokyo and Barcelona.

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