Qatar Airways adds Ta'if to its network

Qatar Airways yesterday expanded its operations in Saudi Arabia with the launch of scheduled flights to Ta'if - the airline's sixth destination in the Kingdom.

Qatar Airways Flight 1206 arrived in Ta'if to an impressive water salute, after which an airport ceremony was attended by local VIPs who welcomed the passengers and operating crew on board the flight.

Fathi Al Shehab, Qatar Airways senior vice president GCC said: “We are pleased to add Ta'if to our growing international network and providing services to the people of this city and its surrounding areas. Qatar Airways will continue exploring new opportunities in Saudi and providing it with new services that will boost its tourism sector.”

“Ta'if is a vital tourist and cultural centre. It is a market rich with business opportunities, heritage and historic sites. I am confident that this city will succeed in attracting tourists and business men alike and I hope our new flights will help them take advantage of the opportunities this city has to offer,” he added.

Qatar Airways will operate four flights a week non-stop from Doha to Ta'if. The addition of this new Saudi city takes the total number of destinations within the airline’s network to 132, providing the people of Ta'if and surrounding areas wider travel choices.

With the new four weekly flights, Qatar Airways now operates 69 flights a week to Saudi.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker said the airline was pleased to open this new gateway to Saudi Arabia. “During the past few months we succeeded in launching two new destinations in Saudi Arabia – Al Gassim and now Ta'if, which reflects our commitment to reinforcing relations between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom.”

He added: “We will continue to build bridges between Saudi Arabia and the world as part of our strategy to provide services to flourishing markets underserved by international airlines.”