The award-winning airline’s new service will connect Wales to Qatar and beyond, providing business and leisure travellers access to more than 150 global destinations
Qatar Airways to launch direct service to London Gatwick later this month, the airline’s sixth gateway to the U.K.
DOHA, Qatar – To celebrate the launch of Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, hosted a press conference today at The Principal St David’s Hotel, Cardiff.
Alongside Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, today’s press conference was hosted by Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales and Mr Roger Lewis, Chairman of Cardiff Airport.
Also in attendance were honorary guests, H.E. Mr. Yousef Ali Al-Khater, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the UK and H.E. Mr Ajay Sharma, British Ambassador to the State of Qatar.
At the press conference, H.E. Mr. Al Baker highlighted the award-winning airline’s commitment to bringing more travellers to Wales, and to connecting the people of Wales to its extensive global route network via the award-winning Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha.
H.E. Mr. Al Baker said: “Cardiff has long been on our wish list of destinations to add to our global route map, and we are delighted to be here today to celebrate this important milestone in the history of our airline. We are tremendously excited to now be able to serve the people of both Wales and South West England, providing them with world-class service and seamless connections to the many destinations on our global route network. We also look forward to bringing travellers from around the globe to Cardiff, enabling them to experience the many attractions this unique city has to offer.”
Chairman of Cardiff Airport, Mr. Roger Lewis, who co-hosted the press conference in Cardiff, said: “We want to express our warmest welcome to Qatar Airways and its new route between Cardiff and Doha. We welcome tourists from Doha and beyond to enjoy Wales’ beautiful landscapes, traditions and culture. There are many great reasons to visit the stunning and diverse country of Wales, from innovative architecture, world class entertainment, quality shopping and exceptional museums to beautiful countryside featuring rolling hills, national parks and scenic coastlines.”
Qatar Airways flew its ultra-modern Airbus A350-900 to celebrate the inaugural flight. Going forward, the airline will operate its Cardiff service with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Qatar’s national carrier was voted Skytrax ‘Airline of the Year’ by travellers from around the world, the airline also won a raft of other major awards at the 2017 ceremony, including ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 150 destinations worldwide. Earlier this year, Qatar Airways revealed a host of forthcoming global destinations for 2018-19, in line with its expedited expansion plans, including London Gatwick, United Kingdom; Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, Malta; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece and Málaga, Spain.
Initial Schedule:
Doha to Cardiff on Tuesday, Sunday:
QR323 Departure 01:15 Arrival 06:40
Doha to Cardiff on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:
QR321 Departure 07:25 Arrival 12:50
Cardiff to Doha on Tuesday, Sunday:
QR324 Departure 08:10 Arrival 17:00
Cardiff to Doha on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:
QR322 Departure 15:55 Arrival 00:45 (next day)
From 17-Jun:
Doha to Cardiff on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday:
QR323 Departure 01:15 Arrival 06:40
Doha to Cardiff on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:
QR321 Departure 07:25 Arrival 12:50
Cardiff to Doha on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday:
QR324 Departure 08:10 Arrival 17:00
Cardiff to Doha on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:
QR322 Departure 15:55 Arrival 00:45 (next day)
For images, please visit:https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/albums/72157668518681138
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2018, including Thessaloniki, Greece; Cardiff, UK and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was 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 more than 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 more than 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters, 13 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747-8 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200