Fast-expanding Middle East carrier Qatar Airways has inaugurated daily flights to Kilimanjaro its 18th gateway in Africa and second destination in Tanzania. However, it appears to have delayed the proposed launch of its new link to the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa after closing reservations for its flights.

The new service was launched on July 25, 2012 and is operated by a two-class Airbus A320 with 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in Economy. The inaugural flight, ‘QR546’, arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport to the normal water salute performed by the local fire service. The arrival was followed by a colourful welcome by traditional Tanzanian dancers and an airport ceremony attended by over 80 people, including local dignitaries, airport officials, local and international media.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that Africa had been long under the radar of the company’s planning team as the region was highly underserved with a lack of international air services. “Kilimanjaro signifies the importance Qatar Airways places in looking at airports around the world where capacity is limited, yet passenger demand is strong,” he said.

“We are pleased to be reinforcing our presence in Africa with the addition of scheduled flights to Tanzania’s tourism centre of Kilimanjaro, home to the infamous Mount Kilimanjaro, allowing us to further develop our business on the African continent. Kilimanjaro is an established tourist centre and is also fast emerging as a growing economic centre, thanks to its abundant wildlife, natural scenic beauty and natural resources. We have great confidence in the Tanzanian travel market ever since we launched flights to Dar es Salaam in 2007,” he added.

Addressing guests at the airport ceremony in Kilimanjaro, Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Marwan Koleilat said: “The exposure of Kilimanjaro to the world through Qatar Airways’ global network will enable Tanzania to attract even more tourists and businesses alike.”

The dynamic region of East Africa has long been the focus of Qatar Airways. The airline already has a successful operation to Dar es Salaam and Nairobi with double daily flights to both capital cities, as well as daily services to Entebbe in Uganda and the Rwandan capital Kigali. It now operates 49 flights each week across four East African countries.

The airline’s African expansion will go a step further on October 31 with the launch of scheduled flights to Maputo in Mozambique, operating thrice-weekly from Doha via Johannesburg. A new service to Mombasa is also due to be launched on August 15, 2012 as a continuation of the airline’s existing daily Doha – Dar es Salaam route. However, a recent network switch which has seen Kilimanjaro now served via Dar es Salaam rather than Nairobi as first planned has meant that the airline;’ schedules do not currently include the Mombasa service. It is likely that the popular coastal destination of Mombasa will now be served on the second of Qatar Airways’ daily Dar es Salaam flights or via the Kenyan capital.