Qatar Airways celebrates Canadian launch

Qatar Airways has launched services to Montreal, Canada.The newly-crowned Airline of the Year 2011 touched down at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport following its 13-hour non-stop journey from the Qatari capital Doha earlier this week.Marking the historic launch of the thrice-weekly scheduled services between the two cities, Qatar Airways inaugurated the occasion with a ceremony on arrival, including a traditional water salute welcoming flight QR927.Leading the delegation of VIPs and international media from Qatar, Dubai and India was Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, who hailed the newest route as a key moment in the airline’s ever-expanding route map.Montreal becomes the eighth of 15 route launches by Qatar Airways this year and the airline’s fourth North American gateway, with New York, Washington DC and Houston already featuring in its burgeoning international route map.Addressing guests soon after arrival, Al Baker said: “This is a proud moment for me, for Qatar Airways and for the State of Qatar as we establish a new air corridor between my country and Canada for the first time.”I would like to offer my thanks to the Canadian government, Aeroports de Montreal and the people of Quebec for supporting Qatar Airways’ newest route and giving us such a warm welcome with an impressive water salute on arrival.”Qatar Airways is operating its flagship Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft on the route, configured with 42 seats in Business Class and 217 seats in Economy.