Qatar Airways launches three weekly flights to Yanbu, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Qatar’s national carrier continues Middle East expansion with the launch of three weekly flights to Yanbu, increasing to four weekly from 23 June

DOHA, Qatar, 2017-May-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways continues to grow its network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the launch of three weekly flights to Yanbu, its ninth destination in the Kingdom. Passengers travelling to and from the sea port city will experience Qatar Airways’ renowned five-star service, as well as have the opportunity to explore the multiple award-winning Hamad International Airport, the airline’s hub in Doha, before continuing their journey to any of Qatar Airways’ 150 plus global destinations.

Qatar Airways inaugural flight QR1216, which landed at Prince Abdulmohsin Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Yanbu at 15:35, 9 May 2017, was welcomed with a traditional water salute. The airport ceremony was attended by Qatar Airways Acting Chief Commercial Officer Mr. Ehab Amin, who was warmly greeted by Governor of Yanbu Mr. Musaed bin Yahya Al-Saleem and Director of Western Airports, Mr. Suliman Al-Rawaf, followed by an exchange of gifts in the presence of local officials and media.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “As our ninth destination in the Kingdom, Yanbu will bring additional flexibility for passengers connecting from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Passengers departing from Yanbu will now be able to travel seamlessly through our state-of-the-art Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, to more than 150 destinations. At the same time this will provide passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia from international markets the convenience of another gateway in the Kingdom.”

Director of Western Airports, Mr. Suliman Al-Rawaf, welcomed Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight at Prince Abdulmohsin Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Yanbu, and said he is looking forward to establishing a fruitful relationship with the airline.

“Yanbu airport is witnessing a notable growth in the number of international flights, with about 650,000 passengers served in 2016 on board 5,392 flights. We have completed preparations to increase the airport’s ability to receive even more international flights, including inbound flights from neighbouring countries in the region. These efforts are part of the country’s aspiration of achieving the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030,” Al-Rawaf said.

These efforts fall within the General Authority of Civil Aviation’s (GACA) strategy, and are in compliance with the directives of Minister of Transport H.E. Sulaiman Al-Hamdan, and under the support and follow-up of Tariq Abduljabbar, GACA Deputy Assistant for Domestic Airports, and Capt. Abdul Hakeem Al-Badr, assistant to GACA’s President for Safety, Security and Air Transport; as well as efforts of all concerned officials with the authority and all ministries and partners involved in the airport services.

He lauded the unlimited support of Madinah Governor Prince Faisal bin Salman, and Yanbu Governor.

On its three weekly flights to and from Yanbu, the airline will fly the A320 aircraft, featuring a two-class cabin configuration with 12 seats in First Class and 132 Economy Class seats.

Qatar Airways operates 151 weekly flights to eight key cities in Saudi Arabia. The addition of Yanbu will increase the number of Qatar Airways’ weekly flights to Saudi Arabia to 154 non-stop flights. Additional frequency to Yanbu will commence on 23 June 2017.

The city of Yanbu is located in Al Madinah province of Western Saudi Arabia, which has recently been gaining popularity in the region as a tourist destination. One of its main attractions is a natural harbour protected by coral reefs, making it an optimum diving spot.

Qatar Airways began operations to the Kingdom in 1997 with non-stop flights to Jeddah. The airline has added Riyadh, Dammam, Madinah, Gassim, Ta’if, Al Hofuf and Abha to its portfolio of destinations, all non-stop to and from Doha.

Known for introducing industry firsts, Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 199 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.

Notes to Editors:

About Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fast growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2017/18, including Dublin, Nice, Skopje, Sarajevo and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of 199 aircraft.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was awarded World’s Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the prestigious 2016 World Airline Awards managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.

Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.

Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.

Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways sponsors world-leading sports teams including FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.

Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 199 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, 12 Boeing 777 freighters and one Boeing 747 freighter.

For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200, Fax: +974 4022 5350
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa

Visit our homepage www.qatarairways.com or our sites on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.
For Qatar Airways corporate images, please click here: http://www.qatarairways.com/corporateimages

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Qatar Airways launches three weekly flights to Yanbu, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

 

Source: Qatar Airways