Qatar Airways announces six new routes to Nice, Bucharest, Budapest, Brussels, Phuket and Hanoi

Qatar Airways announced (21-Jun-2010) details of its expansion programme with plans to launch six new routes in Europe (Nice, Bucharest, Budapest and Brussels) and Asia (new services to Phuket and Hanoi, with increased frequency to Ho Chi Minh City) over four months from Oct-2010 - see Route Changes Table for more information. By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations with a fleet of 120 aircraft, an increase from 84 aircraft and a 90-destination network. Over the past six months, the carrier has also introduced flights to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Copenhagen, Ankara, Tokyo and Barcelona. [more]

Qatar Airways: "Qatar Airways' track record to grow remains strong and solid. The airline is well positioned globally, focusing on a long-term strategy that is forward thinking and not one to look back on. Budapest, Bucharest, Brussels, Nice, Hanoi and Phuket represent markets under-served so these are excellent opportunities for us to tap into.We spend a lot of time diligently analysing new route opportunities and I am pleased to say that the routes being announced today will not only open up new markets, but also strengthen our network strategy over our Doha hub. Today's route network and fleet size will increase sharply over the next few years and all of us within Qatar Airways rise to the challenge by continuing to give our customers the Five Star level of service they fully deserve," Akbar Al Baker, CEO. Source: Company Statement, 21-Jun-2010.