Qatar readies for Houston route launch

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LAUNCHING SOON: Qatar Airways will start its service to Houston on Mar. 30. (Getty Images)

Qatar Airways (QA) said on Sunday that the airline plans to launch new routes, extend existing services and add 11 aircraft to the fleet this year.

Ali Al Rais, executive vice president for the Doha-based carrier, said the airline would launch non-stop services to the Houston on Mar. 30 using Boeing 777s.
 
The 16-hour flight is the carrier’s third American destination following New York and Washington.

Meanwhile, the carrier expects Boeing and Airbus to deliver one aircraft a month throughout 2009 starting from February.

Other plans include investing $500 million in Doha International Airport and developing second hub New Doha International Airport in the next two years.

Al Rais told reporters that the airline was confident of generating 30-35 percent growth, despite aircraft delays and the financial crisis.

He also said the carrier expects to breakeven and receive its five A380s by 2011.

“We have not been affected [by the downturn]; our revenues have been very good and I would like to say it [2008] is one of the best years we have had,” he said. We have not seen a drop in forward bookings, but obviously there are drops in Europe.

“Although there is a global downturn worldwide, we are used to such environments because we work in emerging and developing markets,” he added. “There may be a drop in business travel but there are many reasons why people travel. We have had various challenges and I think we will be fine because transportation across the world would stop [if people stop travelling].”

Al Rais said the carrier would consider launching a low-cost carrier if it supported the current operation. But he insisted there are no immediate plans to establish a budget carrier.

Al Rais also dismissed reports linking QA to a possible takeover bid for Greek carrier Olympic Airlines. He added the carrier’s chiefs have no interest in owning or developing an airline other than QA.

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READERS' COMMENTS

The Houston?
Posted by Ibrahim on Monday 12 January 2009 at 16:41 UAE time

Gee Rob, I've never heard it being referred to as "the Houston" before. Space City, H-Town but never "the Houston".

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