Qatar Airways ends its 2016 global route expansion with the launch of daily flights to Seychelles

• Explore the Seychelles’ dazzling white-sand beaches and stunning palm-fringed coastline with Qatar Airways
• Airline ends 2016 route expansion on a high note in Africa

DOHA, Qatar, 2016-Dec-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways has rounded off its 2016 global route expansion on a high note with the launch of daily flights to the idyllic islands of the Seychelles – the 14th new destination on the airline’s route map this year and the third in Africa.

Flight QR678 touched down at Seychelles International Airport today to a welcome ceremony attended by airport and government officials, together with local dignitaries. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Hugh Dunleavy led a high-profile delegation on the inaugural direct flight from the airline’s operational hub in Doha.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Our aim is to provide our passengers with greater choice and variety when selecting their holiday destinations. We are sure that the Seychelles is going to be a popular option with many travellers from Europe and the Middle East looking for an exotic island getaway. With this new service, holidaymakers can seamlessly connect to the Seychelles via our state-of-the-art home and hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport.”

The destination comprises 115 tropical islands in the western Indian Ocean, located off the east coast of Africa. Its airport is located on the island of Mahé near the city of Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles. Visitors can experience the Vallée de Mai Nature Preserve on the island of Praslin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens on Mahé, or, of course, enjoy the white sand beaches the islands are known for.

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Mr. Alain St Ange, said: “We are happy to have Qatar Airways, the world’s five-star airline, fly to Seychelles. The array of scattered islands with their lush green natural landscapes, white sandy beaches, and turquoise blue sea promise visitors the adventure of a lifetime.

“The new services will add important value to the thriving tourism industry with huge potential to boost traffic from Europe and further expand the emerging Middle East and East Asia’s travelling markets amongst others.”

Minister St Ange added: “Qatar Airways, which is an award-winning airline, will give more choices to passengers travelling to and from our beautiful islands in terms of service, airfares, transfer airport experience as well as routes.”

The Seychelles is key to Qatar Airways’ global network expansion strategy and its continuing growth in Africa. The airline currently operates to 23 African gateways, including the recently launched service to the Namibian capital of Windhoek, which joined the airline’s route map in September 2016.

Qatar Airways’ 2016 route expansion has included Adelaide, Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Helsinki, Krabi, Los Angeles, Marrakech, Pisa, Ras Al Khaimah, Sydney, Windhoek, Yerevan and now the Seychelles. The airline plans to launch an array of exciting destinations in 2017, including Auckland, which will be the world’s longest commercial flight, Canberra, the airline’s fifth destination in Australia; Dublin, Ireland; Las Vegas, the airline’s 11th destination in the United States; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Medan, Kualanamu International Airport, the airline’s third destination in Indonesia; and Tabuk and Yanbu, the 9th and 10th destinations in Saudi Arabia.

The Doha to Seychelles flight schedule offers an attractive 08:50 morning arrival and 19:25 evening departure so travellers can take full advantage of their time on the islands.

Passengers planning a getaway to the Seychelles are encouraged to plan a stopover in Doha, with a new transit visa scheme offering visitors a free transit visa for up to 96 hours on your way to or from your final destination. Combine a quick visit to Doha, with its historic sites and five-star shopping and resorts, with a Seychelles dream holiday – only available to Qatar Airways passengers. Visit Qatar Airways at http://www.qatarairways.com/us/en/qatar-transit-visa.page for more information.

Seychelles – Doha Daily Flight Schedules:

Doha (DOH) to Seychelles (SEZ) QR678 departs: 02:40 arrives: 08:50
Seychelles (SEZ) to Doha (DOH) QR679 departs: 19:25 arrives: 23:30

Notes to editors:

About Qatar Airways:

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 191 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.

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’ inflight 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 as well as 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 is one of the world’s leaders in sponsoring global sporting events, including the strategic team sponsorships of FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC. Qatar Airways’ strategy reflects 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 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 191 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, 11 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747 freighters.

For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200, Fax: +974 40225350
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’ inaugural flight touches down at Seychelles International Airport.

 

Source: Qatar Airways

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