Qatar Airways welcomed dignitaries,
local officials and international media to a packed press conference
in Sydney on 3 March to mark the launch of direct flights between
Doha and the airline’s third gateway in Australia, which is
expected to bring an additional AUD$240 million to the local economy
each year.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive,
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, addressed approximately 80 local
media alongside Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive
Officer, Ms. Kerrie Mather; Qatar Airways SVP South East Asia and
South West Pacific, Mr. Marwan Koleilat and Qatar Airways Country
Manager Australasia, Mr. Adam Radwanski.
H.E. Mr. Al Baker said: “Australia is
a destination on everyone’s wish list and I hope that by launching
our new direct service to Sydney we can help even more visitors
discover this spectacular country. With the addition of Sydney, and
Adelaide later this year, we will double our capacity to and from
Australia in the first half of 2016. This swift and significant
increase in service demonstrates our commitment to the Australian
market and to our Australian passengers, as we offer them the
opportunity to fly in comfort onwards to more than 150 worldwide
destinations.
“There are many similarities in our
cultures and home countries – Qatar, like Australia, is known for
its hospitality, its warm welcome and its forward thinking. These
qualities are reflected in the strength of our current trade,
totalling AUD$1.56 billion in 2014. We look forward to building on
this success and to going places together.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker (centre left), addressed a packed Sydney press conference in celebration of the opening of the airline's third Australian gateway, alongside Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Kerrie Mather (left); Qatar Airways SVP South East Asia and South West Pacific, Mr. Marwan Koleilat (centre right) and Qatar Airways Country Manager Australasia, Mr. Adam Radwanski (right). |
Qatar Airways has been serving
Australia since 2009 when it commenced flights from Melbourne, later
adding flights from Perth in 2012. The award-winning airline will fly
a Boeing 777-300 daily from Sydney to Doha connecting Australian
passengers to its global network of more than 150 destinations.
This Sydney route is expected to
generate an estimated 3,000 jobs in New South Wales and will
contribute millions of dollars in tourism and cargo freight to the
local economy. The new service will connect Australia’s leading
exporters to Qatar Airways Cargo’s global network of more than 150
stations providing 84 tonnes of cargo capacity per week. Qatar
Airways Cargo is the third largest international cargo carrier,
already carrying 301 tonnes of freight in the belly hold of its
passenger aircraft into and out of Perth and Melbourne per week.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Qatar
Airways to Sydney Airport. Qatar Airways is a three-time Skytrax
Airline of the Year winner and will provide passengers with more
choice, a quality product and seamless connectivity through Doha’s
new Hamad International Airport to destinations around the world,”
Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie
Mather said.
“Qatar Airways’ new daily service
will boost tourism, providing an additional 245,000 seats per year,
generating an estimated 3,000 jobs and contributing more than AUD$240
million to the Australian economy.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker (centre right), alongside Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Kerrie Mather (centre left) at the press conference |
“It will also foster trade, providing
greater air cargo capacity and access to the Middle East. Australian
exports to Doha grew by 23 per cent last year, and the State of
Qatar’s high demand for livestock, cereal, meat, dairy products and
crops provides a significant opportunity for Australian exporters.”
Qatar Airways’ hub, Hamad
International Airport in Doha, offers passengers travelling from
Sydney a comfortable and efficient transit with an average connection
time of just 90 minutes. The luxurious and modern airport, less than
two years old, has more than 40,000 square metres of retail space and
restaurants including more than 70 retail and 30 food and beverage
outlets, as well as a 25-metre swimming pool, gym, hotel and spa.
Passengers travelling on board the
Qatar Airways Boeing 777 to and from Sydney in Business Class can
enjoy one of the most comfortable fully-flat beds in the sky with 78
inches of seat pitch. In addition, the on-demand à la carte menu
service allows Business Class passengers to order anything from the
menu at any time during the flight. The aircraft also features the
state-of the-art Oryx One entertainment system, with more than 3,000
entertainment options on individual screens in all classes.
No comments:
Post a Comment