Qatar challenges Gulf Air for long haul connections from Bahrain

Qatar Airways is to go head-to-head with Gulf Air to gain more traffic from Bahrain on long haul flights via its Doha hub.

In a strategic move to offer even better passenger connectivity to destinations worldwide, Qatar has announced adjustments to flight timings on its route between Bahrain and the Doha hub.
Qatar Airways currently operates 39 flights between the Bahraini capital Manama and Doha.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, pictured right, addressing a packed press conference in Bahrain on the opening day of Bahrain International Travel Expo. With him is Qatar Airways Executive Vice-President Commercial Ali Al Rais

Speaking at a press conference at the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE), Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways is 100% committed to offering our customers the very best levels of service and travel experience.

“Our enhanced flight schedules enable travellers from Bahrain to spend even less time transiting through Doha to make the journey quicker, convenient and even more enjoyable.”

“As a full-service global airline, our inflight service across all cabins of travel has proven to be the best because of the high standards we set ourselves, which is reflected by the numerous awards we have been receiving of late.”

A packed press conference room at Bahrain International Travel Expo, Al Baker said the decision to enhance alignment of flight schedules between Bahrain and Doha was taken to provide passengers with greater choice and to further capitalise on the successful route which has, despite the current economic conditions, grown from strength to strength.

Al Baker also said that over the next 10 months, Qatar Airways will add six new routes to its burgeoning network – Goa and Amritsar in India; Sydney and Melbourne in Australia marking its first foray Down Under; and two further cities in Europe.

To cope with the staggering growth in passenger numbers, fleet size and capacity, Qatar Airways is investing US$1 billion in the existing airport infrastructure including its dedicated Premium Terminal for the airline’s First and Business Class passengers until the New Doha International Airport opens by 2012. At the current Doha International Airport, a new transit facility is soon due to open at the eastern apron for passengers with less than 60-minute flight connections, which will further increase Doha’s competitiveness as a worldwide hub.