Qatar Airways ‘completes the jigsaw’ with South American debut
Published: 28/06/10
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Martin Moodie
QATAR/SOUTH AMERICA. Qatar Airways yesterday celebrated another milestone in its short but extraordinary history with the launch of scheduled daily flights to Brazil and Argentina – marking its first foray into South America.
Brazil’s largest city São Paulo and the Argentinean capital Buenos Aires have joined the airline’s growing list of destinations, taking the Doha-based carrier’s network up to 92 points served worldwide.
The new routes are the latest step in Qatar Airways’ huge expansion drive. The airline described South America as “the final piece in the global jigsaw” that now covers six continents.
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Qatar Airways’ maiden flight to South America gets a traditional water salute in Sao Paulo following its journey from Doha
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The two new routes complete a five-month expansion programme so far this year which has seen the airline introduce flights to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Copenhagen, Ankara, Tokyo and Barcelona airports.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker led a high-profile delegation of dignitaries and international media from Asia and the Gulf region on the inaugural flight QR921 from Doha to São Paulo and onwards to Buenos Aires. They included Brazil’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar, H.E. Anuar Nahes, and Argentina’s Ambassador to Qatar, H.E. Ruben Caro.
Airport functions, featuring a cake-cutting ceremony and speeches, were held on arrival at both cities, attended by government, airport and business officials, together with local and international media.
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Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker addresses a packed gathering at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires
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Al Baker said it was an historic occasion for Qatar Airways that would further boost economic ties between Qatar and both Brazil and Argentina.
“Just 13 years ago, Qatar Airways embarked on an ambitious plan by launching an airline that would spread its wings far and wide and offer the highest levels of service and hospitality,” he said, speaking at arrival receptions at both airports.
“Today, I am proud to say that we have achieved a remarkable feat, stretching our award-winning five-star service to South America by serving both Brazil and Argentina, which takes our international network up to 92 destinations across six continents. This is indeed a momentous occasion for Qatar Airways and all our staff.
“Both Brazil and Argentina share close ties with Qatar and with our new routes, we will only reinforce and strengthen the relationship we already share, boosting trade, commerce and tourism.”
Al Baker added: “The timing of our new routes could not have been better and we are confident that entering the relatively untapped South American market will be a great success.
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Argentina’s Secretary of Transportation, Juan Pablo Schiavi; Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker and Argentina’s Minister of Tourism, The Honourable Enrique Meyer, attend the celebrations at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires
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“With a large Lebanese and Japanese community living in Brazil, Argentina and neighbouring South American countries, the route is a perfect match for our business model, which carries passengers from East to West and vice versa via our Doha hub.” During his speech, Al Baker congratulated both the Brazilian and Argentinean soccer teams for their qualification into the next round of the World Cup currently taking place in South Africa.
The new South American flights offer excellent connections to and from key cities worldwide, across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific via the airline’s Doha hub. These include Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, Melbourne, Nairobi, Beirut, Dubai and Muscat.
During a four-month period starting in October 2010, Qatar Airways will expand its international route network further with six new routes, operating scheduled flights from Doha to Phuket, Hanoi, Nice, Brussels, Bucharest And Budapest.
By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a fleet of 120 aircraft. Today, the airline’s fleet stands at 84 aircraft, flying to destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and North and South America.
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Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker addresses a gathering at Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport on arrival in Brazil. Pictured with him at the arrival reception are guests (from left) TUR SP President, Luciane Leite; Superintendent of airport operator Infraero, Antonio Filipe Barcellos; and Qatar Airways Country Manager Latin America, Antonio Bandeira
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Pictured at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony in Sao Paulo following the arrival of Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight from Doha are (from left): TUR SP President, Luciane Leite; Superintendent of airport operator Infraero, Antonio Filipe Barcellos; Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker; Brazil’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar His Excellency, Anuar Nahes; and Qatar’s Minister Plenipotentiary in Brazil and Argentina, His Excellency Mohammed Al Emadi
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Argentina’s Secretary of Transportation Juan Pablo Schiavi welcomes Qatar Airways to Buenos Aires. Watching from left are Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker and Argentina’s Minister of Tourism, The Honourable Enrique Meyer.
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Argentina’s Secretary of Transportation, Juan Pablo Schiavi, centre, and Argentina’s Minister of Tourism, The Honourable Enrique Meyer admire gifts from Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker during the official ceremony
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