H.E. Mr. Al Baker was in the Malaysian capital to attend the opening of the UNWTO World Tourism Conference in his capacity as Secretary General of the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) on Monday 26 August 2019
The award-winning airline will launch a four-times weekly service to Langkawi via Penang on 15 October 2019, increasing to five-times weekly from 27 October 2019
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia and other senior government officials following the opening of the UNWTO World Tourism Conference in Kuala Lumpur on Monday 26 August 2019.
H.E. Mr. Al Baker took the opportunity to discuss several issues of mutual interest, including developments in the global aviation industry and Qatar Airways’ upcoming launch of flights to Langkawi, during separate meetings with the Prime Minister, the Honourable Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, and the Minister of Transport for Malaysia, the Honourable Mr. Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “It was a pleasure and an honour to meet with the Prime Minister.
“Malaysia is an important, and growing, market for Qatar Airways as shown by our new route to Langkawi, which will operate from 15 October.
“We were able to discuss a wide range of mutually beneficial issues and I look forward to a continuing dialogue with him and his government.”
Earlier today H.E. Mr. Al Baker, who attended the World Tourism Conference in his role as Secretary General of the QNTC, discussed the launch of Qatar Airways flights to Langkawi, during a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Malaysian capital city.
The press conference was attended by Qatari Ambassador to Malaysia, His Excellency Mr. Fahad Mohammed Kafoud, Chief Minister of the State of Kedah, Dato’ Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir and Chief Executive Officer of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Dr. Hezri Bin Adnan.
The new service to Langkawi, starting 15 October 2019, is part of the airline’s strong expansion plans in Southeast Asia and marks Qatar Airways’ third destination in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Qatar Airways will initially start with a four-times weekly service to Langkawi via Penang, increasing to a five-times weekly service from 27 October 2019 on its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class, with spacious cabins and specially-designed interiors.
The multi award-winning airline has already launched a host of exciting new destinations in 2019, including Lisbon, Portugal; Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Davao, Philippines; Izmir, Turkey; and Mogadishu, Somalia; and will also add Gaborone, Botswana to its extensive network in October 2019.
The national carrier for the State of Qatar was named ‘Airline of the Year’ for the fifth time by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘Best Business Class Seat’, and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’.
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 160 business and leisure destinations on board a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft. The world’s fastest-growing airline has added a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network this year, including Lisbon, Portugal; Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Davao, Philippines; Izmir, Turkey; and Mogadishu, Somalia; and will add Langkawi, Malaysia; and Botswana, Gaborone later in 2019.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.
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 160 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, B777, 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 2022 World Cup, 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, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 160 key business and leisure destinations globally on more than 250 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 17 Boeing 777 freighters and five Airbus A330 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200