Qatar Airway's revenues exceed forecasts; outlook 'very positive'

Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar al-Baker, stated the carrier has "been on a remarkable expansion drive" with seven new route launches in 1H2010 (QNA, 13-Aug-2010). He added that six further routes are scheduled to be launched over four months from Oct-2010 that would increase Qatar Airways' passenger network to almost 100 destinations. On prospects for 2H2010, Mr al-Baker said: "Qatar Airways entered 2010 in a strong position with increases in passenger numbers and fleet size, and this trend is set to continue as we add new destinations to our network and upgrade a number of frequencies on key routes. Airline revenues have exceeded forecasts and with increasing passenger numbers, higher yields, the launching of a dozen new routes, the outlook is very positive."