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06.27.2010

BRAZIL / ARGENTINA – Qatar Airways has celebrated yet another milestone in its short history with the launch of scheduled daily flights to Brazil and Argentina marking its foray into South America for the first time.

Brazil’s largest city Sao Paulo and the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires have joined the airline’s growing list of destinations, taking the Doha-based carrier’s global network up to 92 points served worldwide.

With the lands of samba and tango now in the airline’s network, it signals the latest step in Qatar Airways’ huge expansion drive with South America becoming the final piece in the airline’s global jigsaw that now covers six continents.

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.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer 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 Sao Paulo and onwards to Buenos Aires.

They included Brazil’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Anuar Nahes and His Excellency Ruben Caro, Argentina’s Ambassador to Qatar.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is pictured with government and airport officials at an airline hosted reception at Buenos Aires International Airport.

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.

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.

“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.

“I would like to thank the airport authorities and government agencies in both countries for helping Qatar Airways make today’s launch a reality.

Qatar Airways’ maiden flight to South America arrives to a traditional water salute in Brazil’s largest city of Sao Paulo following its non-stop journey from Doha, capital city of the State of Qatar.

“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.”

Added Al Baker: “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.

“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 Argentinian soccer teams for their qualification into the next round of the World Cup currently taking place in South Africa.

Qatar Airways is the only Five Star ranked airline operating between the Middle East and South America, and was recently elevated to the top three airlines in the world in the prestigious Skytrax global rankings.

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.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer 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.

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.

Qatar Airways operates the Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft in a two-class configuration of 259 seats – 42 in Business and 217 in Economy Class – to Brazil and Argentina, offering arguably the most spacious aircraft of any airline flying between the Middle East and South America.

In Business Class, passengers are able to enjoy unprecedented comfort and space with a seat pitch of up to 78 inches, and each seat converting into 180-degree fully flat beds. With a 2–2–2 seat configuration, Business Class passengers are assured of either a window or aisle seat.

In Economy Class, seat space is above the industry average with a pitch of up to 34 inches offering significant leg room. The 3–3–3 seat configuration is the most spacious of any airline flying to South America from the Middle East.

By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a modern 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.

The Doha – Sao Paulo – Buenos Aires flight schedules (all in local times) are:

Depart Doha International Airport

QR921 DAILY at 0740 hrs, arrive Sao Paulo at 1555 hrs

Depart Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport

QR921 DAILY at 1740 hrs, arrive Buenos Aires at 2030 hrs

Depart Buenos Aires, Ezeiza International Airport

QR922 Daily at 2305 hrs, arrive Sao Paulo at 0155 hrs the following day

Depart Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport

QR922 DAILY at 0310 hrs, arrive Doha at 2310 hrs

Notes to Editors

About Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways has over 200 aircraft pending delivery worth more than US$40 billion. The airline’s unique Premium Terminal in Doha provides dedicated facilities for First and Business Class passengers in an atmosphere similar to a luxury hotel. Premium passengers enjoy separate dining areas, exclusive duty free shopping, a dedicated business centre plus a spa, Jacuzzi, sauna and massage service in First Class. Ranked Five Star for service and excellence by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency also places Qatar Airways among the world’s top three carriers. At the 2010 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Qatar Airways was awarded World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East for the fifth consecutive year, World’s Best Business Class Catering, and the Staff Service Excellence Award for the Middle East. The awards are compiled from results of the annual Skytrax passenger survey in which almost 18 million travellers were polled over a 10-month period. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com.

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