Launch of service to Kyiv, Ukraine to follow next week as part of airline’s ongoing global expansion strategy
DOHA, Qatar – To celebrate the launch of Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker hosted a press conference today at the Hilton Hotel Prague.
At the press conference H.E. Mr. Al Baker discussed the award-winning airline’s ongoing expansion plans and its commitment to providing passengers a truly unique travel experience. He emphasised Qatar Airways' dedication to bringing more visitors from around the world to Prague and to increasing tourism in the already popular European destination.
H.E. Mr. Al Baker said at the press conference: “Prague has long been a highly sought after destination by our passengers. We have listened to their requests and we have responded by proudly bringing them this daily service from our hub in Doha to the city of Prague. We are happy to support the Czech Republic’s tourism industry to grow to even greater heights by giving more global travellers the opportunity to visit this iconic city.”
Mr. Vaclav Rehor, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prague Airport said: “We expect the new route between Václav Havel Airport Prague and Hamad International Airport in Doha to be used by up to 90 thousand passengers a year.”
Prague, with its rich history, culture and spectacular medieval architecture, is one of the most visited cities in Europe.
Qatar Airways is expediting its expansion in Eastern Europe, with service to Kyiv, Ukraine set to commence next week. Last month, the airline inaugurated its first service to Skopje, part of a significant network expansion of new destinations by Qatar Airways. The award-winning airline is committed to connect its passengers to more than 150 destinations on its global network via Hamad International Airport in Doha.
Following the launch to Prague, the 2017 Airline of the Year, as awarded by Skytrax, will be adding flights to more exciting destinations on its network in 2017 and 2018, including Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Accra, Ghana; Canberra, Australia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Chittagong, Bangladesh; San Francisco, United States; Mombasa, Kenya; and Utapao, Thailand.
Qatar Airways will operate services to Prague with the Airbus A320, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class.
The award-winning airline has recently added additional frequencies to several of its key destinations, in an effort to meet high demand. Qatar Airways has brought the total frequency to 21 flights per week between Doha and Moscow, five daily flights to Sri Lanka, a direct daily flight to Hanoi, 10 weekly flights to Ho Chi Minh City and a daily service Krabi.
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, this year celebrates 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 destinations business and leisure destinations. One of the world’s fastest growing airlines, the carrier will continue to add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2017 and 2018, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of 200 aircraft.
Qatar Airways has received a number of accolades this year, including Airline of the Year by the prestigious 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held at the Paris Air Show. This is the fourth time that Qatar Airways has been given this global recognition. In addition to being voted World's Best Airline by travellers from around the world, Qatar’s national carrier also won a raft of other major awards at the ceremony, including Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.
Doha - Prague Flight Schedule:
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Doha (DOH) to Prague (PRG) QR289 departs: 02:30 arrives: 07:40
Prague (PRG) to Doha (DOH) to QR290 departs: 09:25 arrives: 16:25
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Doha (DOH) to Prague (PRG) QR291 departs: 08:00 arrives: 13:10
Prague (PRG) to Doha (DOH) to QR292 departs: 17:10 arrives: 00:10+1
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Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fast growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2017/18, including Dublin, Nice, Skopje, Sarajevo and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was recently named Airline of the Year by the 2017 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message - Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves 60 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters and 12 Boeing 777 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200