There is a problem. According to thier website they've taken an axe to the schedule 2 weeks after launching it! Embarrasing!

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I am getting the same, 3 a week in June then back to 4 all summer and back to 3 a week in the winter.

I was going to be mean and claim to have seen the minibus bringing the pax up to BHX for the departure but actually it seems a 50 seat coach would have done it!!!!

To provide some balance BHX and EDI loads have been poor for ages so there is hope - just.

Pete

crikey whats the average load, does anyone know?

My father flew CWL-DOH last week and the economy cabin had 22 passengers. His return in November has a schedule change of +1 day due to the frequency reductions. Might end up flying back into LHR if it doesn't get better!

Did he fly in on a Tuesday? As it seems the morning flights have been cut.

Yes, exactly.

Be interesting to find out how many sun 'n sand economy pax have ever heard of Qatar or know where it is. Dubai they all know but the rest of the area??????

needs massive advertising and deals until word of mouth takes over

Except it's not about people going to Qatar it's about the onward connections also many people that I've spoken to seem to be using it to go to Thailand. The route has been advertised but i do feel they could do more in the South West. Hopefully now they'll settle on the frequency and grow the route.
The negativity though isn't good for the airport as Cardiff is trying to shake off the negative image that it has.

It looks like those cut frequencies have been restored.

Looks like 5 a week in the winter to me.

Centre cities

yep that was what it was originally.

There has been a huge push for advertising at CWL itself. A huge chunk of the terminal exterior has a QR wrap around. Not to mention several adverts inside, including huge, ceiling high wall prints and numerous smaller ads placed around the terminal. Not only that but the launch featured heavily on local TV and print media on the day. CWL has also heavily pushed QR on their own channels too. It is certainly being promoted, but perhaps there wasn't much done before the launch, other than inside the QR in-flight magazine. That's all I saw personally. But then I do not frequent Wales, so I can't speak for the local advertising drive pre-launch. I just happened to be in passing through CWL the day after the launch and noticed all the adverts and the big presence QR takes up in the terminal. They are certainly standing out.

Let's see how summer is. Keep in mind right now there are no school holidays for a good few weeks yet and people are not yet used to scheduled long haul from Wales. With the seats only being on sale for a few months prior to the launch, many people going to the places they may do so with QR will likely have booked a lot longer in advance with other carriers. Promoting or even expecting DOH to be a destination in itself is a bit of a stretch. Hardly anyone will go to DOH to holiday. I have had 2 (intentional) long stop overs there over the past 2 or so years, it's fine for a day or 2, but more than that and you're limited. But then DOH is not really sold as a holiday destination, even QR only promote it themselves as a stop over deal for a night or 2. The world cup may change that if more tourist orientated infrastructure is developed. That aside, I'm sure there are more than a few Welsh people working in Qatar who will now use this to come home, many of which may help sustain the J class seats. Cargo may develop into something big too with it cutting out a journey down the motorway from BHX or LON. It's far too early to judge the route IMO.

Doesn't change the fact that as of yet QR have not yet been at CWL for the peak season. That is still yet to happen. In a few weeks when the schools are out, the figures will climb. There will be a dip once the school holidays are over, another spike in October and then November is a traditionally dead month for leisure travel from the UK before the Christmas and New Year peak again. That is generally how it goes in this country, but no doubt people will be screaming about low figures again come Autumn.

I honestly cannot believe the negativity on here surrounding QR/CWL. It's a huge boost for Wales and just because it's not been at 100% capacity for the first few weeks people are on a downer. Things take time to gain a foothold! If it was up to some of you I genuinely think you'd have had them packing up and shipping out a week after the launch.

Well said EDI the normal rule of thumb for a start up route is Year 1 Loss, Year 2 Break even, Year 3 Contribution. Qatar Airways certainly have deeper pockets than some of the startups I have had the pleasure being involved with.
The CEO QR has looked at this for numerous years, he should be applauded for having the vision to take this decision.

It's definitely 5 weekly in the winter. Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday and Saturday