Qatar Airways plans Montreal-Doha flights
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: in the skies
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Qatar Airways plans Montreal-Doha flights
Qatar Airways plans Montreal-Doha flights
Pushing ahead with expansion plans for three weekly flights
By FRANCOIS SHALOM, The Gazette February 3, 2011 CSeries or no CSeries order, Qatar Airways said Tuesday it will start three flights a week between Montreal and Doha in June.
The carrier, which has been dickering with Bombardier Inc. for more than a year on a purchase of its coming CSeries airliner, was allowed its first three landing slots by Canada last fall. At that time, Ottawa denied additional landing rights to two other airlines from the region, Dubai's Emirates Airlines and Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airlines.
Competing airlines, particularly Air Canada, Lufthansa, British Airways and Air France/KLM, have strenuously objected to the Mideast carriers' rapid expansions on the ground that they constitute unfair poaching on their turf. Consumer groups, however, welcome the additional competition, arguing that it would improve service and lower ticket prices.
Montreal would be the fourth North American destination city for the Mideast carrier, after New York, Washington, D.C., and Houston.
The route is part of a forceful international push by Qatar Airways, a growth strategy similar to the two United Arab Emirates airlines -and notably Emirates.
Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al-Baker said in Belgium this week that he plans to add 22 destinations for a total of 120 by 2013.
The airline operates 1,000 flights per week to 98 destinations.
Reports said that Qatar would fly Boeing 777s on the Montreal run.
Qatar added Brussels to its network this week and will soon follow up with Stuttgart and Aleppo in Syria.
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Read more: Qatar Airways plans Montreal-Doha flights
Pushing ahead with expansion plans for three weekly flights
By FRANCOIS SHALOM, The Gazette February 3, 2011 CSeries or no CSeries order, Qatar Airways said Tuesday it will start three flights a week between Montreal and Doha in June.
The carrier, which has been dickering with Bombardier Inc. for more than a year on a purchase of its coming CSeries airliner, was allowed its first three landing slots by Canada last fall. At that time, Ottawa denied additional landing rights to two other airlines from the region, Dubai's Emirates Airlines and Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airlines.
Competing airlines, particularly Air Canada, Lufthansa, British Airways and Air France/KLM, have strenuously objected to the Mideast carriers' rapid expansions on the ground that they constitute unfair poaching on their turf. Consumer groups, however, welcome the additional competition, arguing that it would improve service and lower ticket prices.
Montreal would be the fourth North American destination city for the Mideast carrier, after New York, Washington, D.C., and Houston.
The route is part of a forceful international push by Qatar Airways, a growth strategy similar to the two United Arab Emirates airlines -and notably Emirates.
Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al-Baker said in Belgium this week that he plans to add 22 destinations for a total of 120 by 2013.
The airline operates 1,000 flights per week to 98 destinations.
Reports said that Qatar would fly Boeing 777s on the Montreal run.
Qatar added Brussels to its network this week and will soon follow up with Stuttgart and Aleppo in Syria.
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Read more: Qatar Airways plans Montreal-Doha flights
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: in the skies
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
.....Qatar Airways global expansion set to touchdown in Montreal this summer
..Qatar Airways global expansion set to touchdown in Montreal this summer
By Ross Marowits, The Canadian Press | The Canadian Press – Wed, 2 Feb 8:44 PM EST
MONTREAL - Qatar Airways' aggressive global expansion will see it enter the Canadian market this summer with direct flights between Doha and Montreal.
Chief executive Akbar Al Baker told reporters in Brussels that service will begin "soon."
Reports said the airline plans to offer three weekly round-trip flights on Boeing 777 aircraft starting in June.
Qatar, which launched flights to Belgium on Monday, plans to reach 120 major destinations by 2013. It currently operates nearly 1,000 flights weekly to 98 destinations, with Houston, Washington and New York being its only North American stops.
The Montreal route flows out of an agreement signed last October between Canada and Qatar that permits three passenger and three cargo flights per week into Canada.
Transport Minister Chuck Strahl said the agreement provides a framework to allow more convenient direct air services between the countries.
“This is a first but important step in developing Canada-Qatar air relations,” Strahl said.
The flights come as the United Arab Emirates wages a public battle with Canada over its effort to increase the number of its flights.
Ottawa's refusal to give more slots prompted the UAE to kick the Canadian military out of Camp Mirage, a key base in Dubai used to support the war in Afghanistan.
Unlike the UAE, Qatar does not require that Canadian citizens have travel visas.
International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan said Canada plans to open a new embassy in Doha this year.
“Enhanced air services between our countries will help boost trade during this critical time in the global economic recovery,” Van Loan said.
"The new embassy will provide additional support to Canadian businesses wishing to expand their operations in this growing region.”
The operator of Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport confirmed it was in discussion with Qatar Airways.
"We are speaking with Qatar about some projects about them coming here," Aeroports de Montreal spokeswoman Stephanie Lepage said.
"Unfortunately, I can't say when they will operate or if they will this summer."
The decision to select Montreal over Toronto would be good news for the airport, she added.
Thirty-six airlines fly passenger service out of Montreal, including 12 Canadian, six American and 18 international carriers. Royal Jordanian is the only one right now based in the Middle East.
Qatar Airways has focused much of its expansion in Europe, which represents one quarter of its global network. Brussels is its 24th European destination.
Since last March, six new routes have been added in Europe, with Stuttgart planned for next month.
Qatar Airways has increased the capacity and frequency of service by adding new routes to underserved cities and stepped in as other airlines have withdrawn capacity, Al Baker said.
He said the airline's rapid expansion has created "unease" among competitors, but insisted that it is meeting demand by offering customers greater choice and an alternative to legacy carriers.
“There should be an operating environment where competitors ought not be afraid of each other and not feel threatened."
Qatar Airways isn't yet taking bookings on direct flights from Canada, although connections to flights from the U.S. are provided through other carriers.
Meanwhile, Al Baker was noncommittal about a potential order for Bombardier's (TSX:BBD.B) CSeries.
"I do not want to comment on this. This is a sensitive issue," he told reporters.
Qatar did not place an expected order at last summer's Farnborough Airshow due to maintenance cost issues for the Pratt & Whitney engines.
It is one of the world's biggest aircraft customers, with orders for 80 Airbus A350s, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s. It is also buying at least five twin-deck Airbus A380.
Al Baker said he's still "happy" with the airline's relationship with Boeing despite a seventh delay of its Dreamliner program.
"We have (adjusted) our delivery schedule and the timeline has slipped slightly, but it does not bother me too much. I'm happy with our relationship with Boeing," Baker told online publication ATW.
By Ross Marowits, The Canadian Press | The Canadian Press – Wed, 2 Feb 8:44 PM EST
MONTREAL - Qatar Airways' aggressive global expansion will see it enter the Canadian market this summer with direct flights between Doha and Montreal.
Chief executive Akbar Al Baker told reporters in Brussels that service will begin "soon."
Reports said the airline plans to offer three weekly round-trip flights on Boeing 777 aircraft starting in June.
Qatar, which launched flights to Belgium on Monday, plans to reach 120 major destinations by 2013. It currently operates nearly 1,000 flights weekly to 98 destinations, with Houston, Washington and New York being its only North American stops.
The Montreal route flows out of an agreement signed last October between Canada and Qatar that permits three passenger and three cargo flights per week into Canada.
Transport Minister Chuck Strahl said the agreement provides a framework to allow more convenient direct air services between the countries.
“This is a first but important step in developing Canada-Qatar air relations,” Strahl said.
The flights come as the United Arab Emirates wages a public battle with Canada over its effort to increase the number of its flights.
Ottawa's refusal to give more slots prompted the UAE to kick the Canadian military out of Camp Mirage, a key base in Dubai used to support the war in Afghanistan.
Unlike the UAE, Qatar does not require that Canadian citizens have travel visas.
International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan said Canada plans to open a new embassy in Doha this year.
“Enhanced air services between our countries will help boost trade during this critical time in the global economic recovery,” Van Loan said.
"The new embassy will provide additional support to Canadian businesses wishing to expand their operations in this growing region.”
The operator of Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport confirmed it was in discussion with Qatar Airways.
"We are speaking with Qatar about some projects about them coming here," Aeroports de Montreal spokeswoman Stephanie Lepage said.
"Unfortunately, I can't say when they will operate or if they will this summer."
The decision to select Montreal over Toronto would be good news for the airport, she added.
Thirty-six airlines fly passenger service out of Montreal, including 12 Canadian, six American and 18 international carriers. Royal Jordanian is the only one right now based in the Middle East.
Qatar Airways has focused much of its expansion in Europe, which represents one quarter of its global network. Brussels is its 24th European destination.
Since last March, six new routes have been added in Europe, with Stuttgart planned for next month.
Qatar Airways has increased the capacity and frequency of service by adding new routes to underserved cities and stepped in as other airlines have withdrawn capacity, Al Baker said.
He said the airline's rapid expansion has created "unease" among competitors, but insisted that it is meeting demand by offering customers greater choice and an alternative to legacy carriers.
“There should be an operating environment where competitors ought not be afraid of each other and not feel threatened."
Qatar Airways isn't yet taking bookings on direct flights from Canada, although connections to flights from the U.S. are provided through other carriers.
Meanwhile, Al Baker was noncommittal about a potential order for Bombardier's (TSX:BBD.B) CSeries.
"I do not want to comment on this. This is a sensitive issue," he told reporters.
Qatar did not place an expected order at last summer's Farnborough Airshow due to maintenance cost issues for the Pratt & Whitney engines.
It is one of the world's biggest aircraft customers, with orders for 80 Airbus A350s, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s. It is also buying at least five twin-deck Airbus A380.
Al Baker said he's still "happy" with the airline's relationship with Boeing despite a seventh delay of its Dreamliner program.
"We have (adjusted) our delivery schedule and the timeline has slipped slightly, but it does not bother me too much. I'm happy with our relationship with Boeing," Baker told online publication ATW.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: middleast
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Before thinking about network expansion maybe they should think about opening the new airport first!
No problem lets just take(waste) some more extra fuel to cope with the congestion here..
No problem lets just take(waste) some more extra fuel to cope with the congestion here..
Guest
Posts: n/a
I don't really believe in the whole C-series for slots conspiracy. Qatar is being dealt with on its own merits and has been given only 3 slots. the UAE has 6! If Qatar had all of a sudden been given a stupid big number given the Canadian policy of only allowing enough to meet demand between the countries then I might be suspicious, but not when they've only been given three.
But lets see, maybe they are waiting for firm orders before giving them more slots!
Building a new Embassy or a new bombardier sales office :P
But lets see, maybe they are waiting for firm orders before giving them more slots!
Building a new Embassy or a new bombardier sales office :P
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: N25.15.9 / E051.33.6
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Qatar is being dealt with on its own merits and has been given only 3 slots
whether it has anything to do with aircraft orders or political situations is anybodies guess and most of what you hear are just rumors and speculation.
The simple fact remains, the airline is and has been continually expanding for many years and Canada is just a part of that expansion… nothing out of the ordinary.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: in the skies
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ITs OFFICIAL!!!
Qatar Airways Announces Move Into Canada
Montreal Set For June 29 Launch With Three Non-Stop Services Each Week
Doha-Based Airline Becomes Only Gulf Carrier Serving Montreal
27 February 2011
Qatar Airways To Begin Three Weekly Services To Montreal
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar is set to make its debut in Canada with the launch of scheduled flights to Montreal, effective June 29.
Canada’s second largest city will be served with three-flights-a-week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using the airline’s flagship Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft. The non-stop journey from the airline’s hub in Doha to Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport will be a total flying time of 13 hrs 20 minutes.
The destination marks Qatar Airways’ first foray into Canada following a series of bilateral negotiations in Doha last year, when the airline secured rights to fly passenger and cargo flights to the country.
Montreal becomes the airline’s fourth destination in North America. The award-winning airline, ranked Five Star for service, excellence and high standards, currently operates daily flights to New York, Washington and Houston.
The highly anticipated Doha – Montreal route will facilitate trade and leisure business, providing seamless connectivity for travellers from east to west. With Qatar Airways’ extensive network of destination across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Far East, the airline will offer excellent connections over Doha to and from Montreal.
Qatar Airways is the first Gulf carrier to operate flights to Montreal, a city renowned for its festivals and arts scene, being home to the well established international dance troupe Cirque du Soleil, the IMAX cinemas, aircraft manufacturing company Bombardier and top-ranked universities world-wide, McGill and Concordia.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Yet again, we are announcing another new chapter in our remarkable short history with a move into Canada and a strengthening of our North American operations.
Montreal - Canada's Second Largest City
“It truly is a milestone to bring Canada and, in particular, Montreal, into the Qatar Airways’ family of international routes. The introduction of our Montreal service will provide a strong transportation link between Canada and Qatar and further facilitate the already strong economic ties between our countries.
“According to the government agency Export Development Canada, there are more than 1,500 Canadian companies doing business in the Gulf and Qatar, in particular, is one of Canada’s largest trading partners in the Middle East.
“With the oil and gas industry being a key connection that naturally aligns us, we hope that as soon as our thrice-weekly service is well-established and boosts the Qatari and Canadian economy to receive additional traffic rights for a daily operation to Montreal.
“Montreal is one of the most sought after destinations in the world and we hope to have paved the way for expanded capacity into Canada and operate to additional cities in the future. There is natural demand for travel from many parts of our international network to Canada, and thanks to our scheduling we are able to offer convenient connections over Doha,” he added.
These include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, Beirut, Tehran, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City, Delhi, Mumbai and Karachi.
During a visit to Qatar last year, the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Peter Van Loan, revealed that the first Canadian Embassy in Qatar was expected to open in the capital Doha during Summer 2011. Van Loan said there were immense business opportunities tapping into Qatar’s burgeoning economy. These include legal firms, engineering consultancies and construction companies.
Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Will Operate To Montreal From 29 June
Qatar is home to more than 3,000 Canadian citizens and two Canadian university satellite campuses, The College of the North Atlantic and the University of Calgary.
Canadian nationals arriving in Qatar may enter the country without prior visa arrangements. Passengers with Qatar as their end destination may enter by obtaining a visa on arrival, a service extended to 33 countries, with Canada being one of them.
The Boeing 777 on the Montreal route has a two-class operation, offering 42 seats in Business in a spacious 2–2–2 cabin layout, with a seat pitch of 78 inches that is already the envy of competitor airlines as the seats stretch into lie-flat beds, a key demand of the corporate traveller.
In Economy, the Boeing 777 offers 217 seats in a 3–3–3 configuration with a pitch of up to 34-inch, which is among the most generous of any international airline flying wide-body aircraft on long-haul routes.
The in-flight interactive entertainment system offers a choice of more than 900 audio and video on demand options, available to every passenger in both cabins.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 94 aircraft to 98 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North and South America.
The airline started off the year with a focus on Europe, launching three new destinations on the continent – Bucharest, Budapest and Brussels.
On March 6, Qatar Airways adds Stuttgart to its global network, followed on April 6 with new flights to the historic Syrian city of Aleppo – the airline’s milestone 100th destination. Flights to Shiraz, Qatar Airways’ third gateway in Iran begin on June 5, followed 10 days later on June 15 by scheduled services to Venice, the carrier’s third destination in Italy.
The DOHA – MONTREAL schedules are:
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
Depart Doha QR927 at 0830hrs, arrive in Montreal at 1450 hrs
Depart Montreal QR928 at 2315hrs, arrive in Doha at 1840 hrs the following day
Qatar Airways Announces Move Into Canada | Qatar Airways Press Release
Montreal Set For June 29 Launch With Three Non-Stop Services Each Week
Doha-Based Airline Becomes Only Gulf Carrier Serving Montreal
27 February 2011
Qatar Airways To Begin Three Weekly Services To Montreal
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar is set to make its debut in Canada with the launch of scheduled flights to Montreal, effective June 29.
Canada’s second largest city will be served with three-flights-a-week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using the airline’s flagship Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft. The non-stop journey from the airline’s hub in Doha to Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport will be a total flying time of 13 hrs 20 minutes.
The destination marks Qatar Airways’ first foray into Canada following a series of bilateral negotiations in Doha last year, when the airline secured rights to fly passenger and cargo flights to the country.
Montreal becomes the airline’s fourth destination in North America. The award-winning airline, ranked Five Star for service, excellence and high standards, currently operates daily flights to New York, Washington and Houston.
The highly anticipated Doha – Montreal route will facilitate trade and leisure business, providing seamless connectivity for travellers from east to west. With Qatar Airways’ extensive network of destination across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Far East, the airline will offer excellent connections over Doha to and from Montreal.
Qatar Airways is the first Gulf carrier to operate flights to Montreal, a city renowned for its festivals and arts scene, being home to the well established international dance troupe Cirque du Soleil, the IMAX cinemas, aircraft manufacturing company Bombardier and top-ranked universities world-wide, McGill and Concordia.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Yet again, we are announcing another new chapter in our remarkable short history with a move into Canada and a strengthening of our North American operations.
Montreal - Canada's Second Largest City
“It truly is a milestone to bring Canada and, in particular, Montreal, into the Qatar Airways’ family of international routes. The introduction of our Montreal service will provide a strong transportation link between Canada and Qatar and further facilitate the already strong economic ties between our countries.
“According to the government agency Export Development Canada, there are more than 1,500 Canadian companies doing business in the Gulf and Qatar, in particular, is one of Canada’s largest trading partners in the Middle East.
“With the oil and gas industry being a key connection that naturally aligns us, we hope that as soon as our thrice-weekly service is well-established and boosts the Qatari and Canadian economy to receive additional traffic rights for a daily operation to Montreal.
“Montreal is one of the most sought after destinations in the world and we hope to have paved the way for expanded capacity into Canada and operate to additional cities in the future. There is natural demand for travel from many parts of our international network to Canada, and thanks to our scheduling we are able to offer convenient connections over Doha,” he added.
These include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, Beirut, Tehran, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City, Delhi, Mumbai and Karachi.
During a visit to Qatar last year, the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Peter Van Loan, revealed that the first Canadian Embassy in Qatar was expected to open in the capital Doha during Summer 2011. Van Loan said there were immense business opportunities tapping into Qatar’s burgeoning economy. These include legal firms, engineering consultancies and construction companies.
Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Will Operate To Montreal From 29 June
Qatar is home to more than 3,000 Canadian citizens and two Canadian university satellite campuses, The College of the North Atlantic and the University of Calgary.
Canadian nationals arriving in Qatar may enter the country without prior visa arrangements. Passengers with Qatar as their end destination may enter by obtaining a visa on arrival, a service extended to 33 countries, with Canada being one of them.
The Boeing 777 on the Montreal route has a two-class operation, offering 42 seats in Business in a spacious 2–2–2 cabin layout, with a seat pitch of 78 inches that is already the envy of competitor airlines as the seats stretch into lie-flat beds, a key demand of the corporate traveller.
In Economy, the Boeing 777 offers 217 seats in a 3–3–3 configuration with a pitch of up to 34-inch, which is among the most generous of any international airline flying wide-body aircraft on long-haul routes.
The in-flight interactive entertainment system offers a choice of more than 900 audio and video on demand options, available to every passenger in both cabins.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 94 aircraft to 98 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North and South America.
The airline started off the year with a focus on Europe, launching three new destinations on the continent – Bucharest, Budapest and Brussels.
On March 6, Qatar Airways adds Stuttgart to its global network, followed on April 6 with new flights to the historic Syrian city of Aleppo – the airline’s milestone 100th destination. Flights to Shiraz, Qatar Airways’ third gateway in Iran begin on June 5, followed 10 days later on June 15 by scheduled services to Venice, the carrier’s third destination in Italy.
The DOHA – MONTREAL schedules are:
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
Depart Doha QR927 at 0830hrs, arrive in Montreal at 1450 hrs
Depart Montreal QR928 at 2315hrs, arrive in Doha at 1840 hrs the following day
Qatar Airways Announces Move Into Canada | Qatar Airways Press Release
