Qatar Airways celebrates arrival of first flight from Doha to Sydney

Award-winning airline adds Sydney to its network of more than 150 destinations worldwide

2 March 2016

SYDNEY, Australia – Qatar Airways today 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, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, were met from the aircraft by Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Kerrie Mather; Colonel Michael Miller RFD, Official Secretary to the Governor of New South Wales; Destination NSW Chairman, Mr. John Hartigan; and Tourism Australia Managing Director, Mr. John O'Sullivan.

The award-winning airline will fly a Boeing 777-300 daily from Sydney to Doha connecting Australian passengers to its global network of more than 150 destinations. Qatar Airways has been serving Australia since 2009 when it commenced flights from Melbourne, later adding flights from Perth in 2012.

The new route is expected to generate an estimated 3,000 jobs in New South Wales and contribute more than AUD240 million to the local economy.

The new service to Sydney will also provide 84 tonnes of cargo capacity per week in and out of the New South Wales capital per week, connecting Australia’s leading exporters to Qatar Airways Cargo’s global network of more than 150 stations around the world. Qatar Airways Cargo, the third largest international cargo carrier, already carries 301 tonnes of freight in the belly hold of its Boeing 777 passenger aircraft into and out of Perth and Melbourne per week.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker

H.E. Mr. Akbar 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 which earned us the aviation industry’s most prestigious title of Skytrax Airline of the Year in 2015.

“I would like to personally thank Sydney airport and city authorities for welcoming us today and we look forward to strengthening our relationships with them and the people of Australia in the coming years as we all go places together.”

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 $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,” Mr Ayres said. With an average connection time of just 90 minutes via the airline’s hub at Hamad International Airport (HIA), passengers travelling from Sydney can expect a smooth and seamless journey to their final destination via Doha. The contemporary and luxurious airport, which opened in 2014, has more than 40,000 square metres of retail space and restaurants including more than 70 retail and 30 food and beverage outlets, as well as a 25-metre swimming pool, gym, hotel and spa. Passengers travelling on board the Qatar Airways Boeing 777 to and from Sydney in Business Class can enjoy one of the most comfortable fully-flat beds in the sky with 78 inches of seat pitch. In addition, the on-demand à la carte menu service allows Business Class passengers to order anything from the menu at any time during the flight. The aircraft also features the state-of the-art Oryx One entertainment system, with more than 3,000 entertainment options on individual screens in all classes.

Daily Flight Schedule:

DOH-SYD QR908 Departs: 2010 Arrives: 1805+1

SYD-DOH QR909 Departs: 2220 Arrives: 0505+1