Qatar Airways continues with expansion plans

Qatar Airways announced it will continue to go ahead with its new aircraft, routes and airport infrastructure improvements in conjunction with next year’s opening of the New Doha International Airport. Barcelona, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires will be added to the airline’s routes next month and it has already secured routes to Bangalore, Copenhagen, Ankara and Tokyo from the Doha hub. Speaking at Arabian Travel Market, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said “I am delighted to say that we are well on track with our strategy, opening up routes in all corners of the world, introducing brand new aircraft into the fleet at a phenomenal rate and investing in our existing airport in Doha while the New Doha International Airport is under construction”. Other expansions include Qatar Airways’ first Boeing 777, which is to be delivered next week and the opening of a new airport hotel and arrivals terminal. “A brand new arrivals terminal will free up space at the current airport where the departures check-in area will be extended,” added Al Baker. New Doha International Airport is scheduled to be ready by the end of 2011, with both runways and main terminal structure already completed. The airport will have a capacity of 24 million passengers in the initial opening phase.