newswatcher
28th Feb 2002, 13:54
Couple of days old, and from the Travel Trade Gazette:
"QATAR Airways is to push for a double-daily Heathrow-Doha frequency following the launch of two aircraft on the route this summer. The airline will expand its daily service to 11 times a week on June 13 and introduce Airbus A330s in May.
New commercial general manager Lee Shave said increased frequencies would attract more transfer passengers for destinations such as the Maldives and Nepal.
"If we get more slots we will run a double-daily service from Heathrow," he said. "But we have to make sure there are enough routes behind Doha to make it attractive."
Flights from Doha to Kathmandu - the airline's top-selling connection from the UK - will be twice-daily from the summer.
A three-times-a-week Doha-Maldives service will become daily, while Doha-Bangkok flights will increase from three to five a week, subject to traffic rights.
The five new A330s will use a three-class configuration, with lie- flat beds in the first-class cabin.
The airline hopes the extra frequencies and new aircraft will boost premium traffic.
"We have built business in the UK on leisure but we struggle in the corporate market," Mr Shave admitted. "It is difficult without the alliance coverage."
Qatar's fleet will be expanded from 12 aircraft to 17 in the next 18 months, with two A380s on order for delivery in 2007.
The airline had planned to phase out ageing A300s but Mr Shave said leases might be extended to launch routes.
"QATAR Airways is to push for a double-daily Heathrow-Doha frequency following the launch of two aircraft on the route this summer. The airline will expand its daily service to 11 times a week on June 13 and introduce Airbus A330s in May.
New commercial general manager Lee Shave said increased frequencies would attract more transfer passengers for destinations such as the Maldives and Nepal.
"If we get more slots we will run a double-daily service from Heathrow," he said. "But we have to make sure there are enough routes behind Doha to make it attractive."
Flights from Doha to Kathmandu - the airline's top-selling connection from the UK - will be twice-daily from the summer.
A three-times-a-week Doha-Maldives service will become daily, while Doha-Bangkok flights will increase from three to five a week, subject to traffic rights.
The five new A330s will use a three-class configuration, with lie- flat beds in the first-class cabin.
The airline hopes the extra frequencies and new aircraft will boost premium traffic.
"We have built business in the UK on leisure but we struggle in the corporate market," Mr Shave admitted. "It is difficult without the alliance coverage."
Qatar's fleet will be expanded from 12 aircraft to 17 in the next 18 months, with two A380s on order for delivery in 2007.
The airline had planned to phase out ageing A300s but Mr Shave said leases might be extended to launch routes.