Qatar Airways adds two new flights to Manila

Frequency to Philippines capital rises to nine weekly non-stop services

BY A CORRESPONDENT
April 13, 2006

Qatar Airways has increased frequency on the Doha-Manila route with the introduction of two new weekly flights.

The extra capacity between the capitals of Qatar and Philippines takes to nine the number of weekly services on the highly popular route.

The additional flights operate to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday night, returning to Doha International Airport on Thursday morning and Sunday evening, respectively.

The Doha-Manila flights operate non-stop using an Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration of Economy and Business Class. Passengers are able to benefit from the airline’s award-winning Five Star service and a fully interactive inflight entertainment system in both classes.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said Manila was one of the airline’s most popular routes across its Far East network, which currently covers 12 destinations. Hong Kong became the airline’s latest Far East destination with the launch of daily non-stop scheduled services on March 26.

"We are focusing a lot of our efforts on boosting our Far East network this year, whether it is through additional frequencies on existing routes, or introducing new services, such as Hong Kong," said Al Baker.

"As Official Airline Partner of the 15th Asian Games being held in Doha at the end of this year, Qatar Airways is proud to strengthen its links with Asia through additional services. Our Manila flights are no exception. The extra services on this key route have been in the planning stage for some time. Qatar Airways is now able to offer passengers to and from the Philippines even more connections over our Doha hub to destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe."

Qatar Airways currently flies to two destinations in the Philippines -Manila and the southern city of Cebu, served thrice-weekly via Singapore.

In total, Qatar Airways operates to 70 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Far East from Doha, capital of the State of Qatar. With its codeshare partners, the airline serves more than 80 destinations worldwide.