Qatar Airways Highlights African Opportunities

Posted 04/11/2011

Qatar Airways’ entry into two African cities this week marks the first of potentially more route launches on the Continent as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker spelled out a commitment to grow its regional operations.  The Libyan port city of Benghazi and Ugandan city of Entebbe have joined Doha-based Qatar Airways’ global network taking the carrier’s African portfolio to 16 destinations.  In addition to the passenger flights to Uganda, Qatar Airways also commenced a twice-weekly dedicated freighter service to Entebbe.

With the airline now serving more than 100 destinations globally, the African component represents a sizeable figure and is set to grow even further.  Speaking to media at a press conference in the Ugandan capital Kampala, Al Baker said: “Two route launches within two days on this diverse Continent is significant as the last time we made a foray into Africa was four years ago when we began services to Tanzania’s capital city of Dar es Salaam.”

He revealed that more destinations will follow but that it was “premature” to say where so as not to to give a heads up to the competition.  “There are plenty of opportunities across Africa, which remains largely underserved by international airlines,” he noted.

Al Baker stressed the importance of entering markets for the long-term, saying Qatar Airways was not in the business of moving into new territory and withdrawing, instead committing and offering convenient and efficient travel options for business and leisure passengers year-round.

In addition, Qatar Airways Cargo, the airline’s freighter arm, now operates dedicated flights to Entebbe twice-weekly using an Airbus A300 aircraft, transporting a variety of goods, including produce and flowers to the Ugandan gateway.

“Qatar Airways has been growing its cargo operations gradually, and launching a dedicated freighter route to coincide with the start of the airline’s commercial passenger service signals what promises to be a fruitful air link between Qatar and Uganda,” added Al Baker.

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