8 March 2016 12:00 am
Qatar Airways recently celebrated the arrival of its first flight from Doha to Sydney, making this the airline’s third gateway into Australia.
A delegation of VIPs from Qatar, including Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, were met from the aircraft by Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kerrie Mather; Official Secretary to the Governor of New South Wales, Colonel Michael Miller RFD; Destination NSW Chairman, John Hartigan; and Tourism Australia Managing Director, John O’Sullivan.
The award-winning airline now operates a Boeing 777-300 daily from Doha to Sydney connecting Australian passengers to its global network of more than 150 destinations. Qatar Airways has been serving Australia since 2009 when it commenced flights to Melbourne, later adding flights to Perth in 2012.
Al Baker said: “Touching down here in Sydney for the first time today is an important milestone for Qatar Airways and for the people of Australia. We are delighted to be able to offer passengers flying from Sydney the opportunity to connect to more than 150 places on our global network via our state-of-the-art airport in Doha. We look forward to taking the people of Sydney to the places they want to go on our modern aircraft, and giving them a taste of the Arabian hospitality and comfort that earned us the aviation industry’s most prestigious title of Skytrax Airline of the Year in 2015.”
The new route to Sydney is expected to generate an estimated 3,000 jobs in New South Wales and contribute more than AUD$240 million to the local economy.
Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kerrie Mather said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Qatar Airways to Sydney Airport. Qatar Airways is a three-time Skytrax Airline of the Year winner and will provide passengers with more choice, a quality product and seamless connectivity through Doha’s new Hamad International Airport to destinations around the world.
“Qatar Airways’ new daily service will boost tourism, providing an additional 245,000 seats per year, generating an estimated 3,000 jobs and contributing more than AUD$240 million to the Australian economy.
“It will also foster trade, providing greater air cargo capacity and access to the Middle East. Australian exports to Doha grew by 23 per cent last year, and the State of Qatar’s high demand for livestock, cereal, meat, dairy products and crops provides a significant opportunity for Australian exporters.”
NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres said: “I am delighted to welcome the first Qatar Airways flight to Sydney, which will provide a valuable increase in aviation capacity from the Middle East and greater connectivity to Sydney and regional NSW, particularly for travellers flying from the United Kingdom and Europe via Doha.
“Through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, we look forward to working with Qatar Airways and the opportunity to showcase our beautiful city, award-winning restaurants, stunning beaches and surrounding NSW regions to customers of one of the world’s fastest growing airlines.”
With an average connection time of just 90 minutes via the airline’s hub at Hamad International Airport Doha, passengers travelling from Sydney can expect a smooth and seamless journey to their final destination.