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Business Standard Open Sky Summit

Date: 03 July 2007 Business Standard organized & hosted the “Open Sky” summit on 3rd July 2007 at Le Meridien, New Delhi. Bird Group and Amadeus were the silver sponsors of this event, which was widely attended by members from the travel, tourism & aviation industry, government authorities as well as media. Mr. Praful Patel, Honorable Union Minister for Civil Aviation in India was the chief guest on this ocassion. The conference addressed the future of Aviation in India and brought together expert practitioners on a common platform to share their future perspective and innovation in the specific vertical of security, air traffic and ground handling. Mr. Ankur Bhatia was the moderator of the opening session, as he provided an overview on the current trends in the aviation industry and also threw light on the growing demand for better security measures. The day-long conference culminated over cocktails & dinner.

Qatar Airways Maiden USA Flight Arrives In New York

Four-Flights-A-Week Link US Financial Centre With Qatari Capital Doha

Only Middle East Carrier To Serve Newark Liberty International Airport

Scheduled Flights Operate Via Switzerland

Geneva Becomes Airline's Newest European Destination

Wednesday 27 June 2007

Qatar Airways' A330 from Doha via Geneva arrives at Newark Liberty International Airport following its inaugural flight to the United States on Tuesday night.

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – Qatar Airways’ maiden flight to North America touched down last night at Newark Liberty International Airport to a ‘fireman’s salute’ water arch ceremony and a fanfare of music and entertainment.

The new service from Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, to Newark – gateway to New York City – also marked another first as the flight operated via Geneva , the airline’s newest European destination, taking its international network to 77 destinations.

Flight QR083 arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport with a host of government, business and media VIP dignitaries from Qatar and the GCC countries onboard, led by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker.

Qatar’s US Ambassador to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Chase Untermeyer was among the guests on the inaugural flight.

On arrival at Newark, Al Baker said: “This is an historic moment for Qatar Airways and personally, I feel honoured to see the national carrier of my country make its mark in North America for the first time.

“Our determination and endeavours to fly to the United States have at last been fulfilled. I would like to thank the authorities in both America and Qatar for making our historic route a reality today,” he added, addressing dignitaries at a special ceremony at the airport.

Pictured at Qatar Airways' arrival ceremony at Newark Liberty International Airport are from left: W. Deen Shareef, Senior Advisor to Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, the Honorable Mildred Crump, President of Newark Municipal Council and the US Ambassador in Qatar, Chase Untermeyer.

“We are the only Middle East carrier flying toNewark Liberty International Airport offering our passengers from across the Gulf countries and feeder markets in the Indian subcontinent with excellent onward connections across the USA.”

Added Al Baker: “Qatar Airways embarked on its long journey from Doha early this morning to further strengthen our international network. We arrived in Geneva to a water arch ceremony that is a traditional hallmark of any of our inaugurals, marking our first flights to this lovely city in the foothills of the Swiss Alps.

“We continued our journey this afternoon to Newark and I am delighted we are finally here to be received to such a warm welcome. I am sure we will help boost the tourism industry here by bringing in business and leisure visitors from around the world to experience the delights of this great country.”

Qatar Airways’ award-winning Five Star service bridges the capital of Qatar and America ’s financial heartland four-times-a-week using the carrier’s state-of-the-art Airbus A330 aircraft in a three-class configuration.

The airline operates 12 seats in First Class – seats that convert into flat beds – 18 seats in Business Class, which offer generous space with 160 degree recline, and 208 seats in Economy.

In three weeks’ time, starting July 19, Qatar Airways will serve a second destination in America. The airline will be the only Middle East carrier flying daily non-stop scheduled services between Doha and Washington DC.

Al Baker went on: “After making history last week with the announcement of our biggest-ever aircraft order for 80 Airbus A350 planes, today we enter the history books again with our brand new service to Newark.

Pictured at Qatar Airways' arrival ceremony at Newark Liberty International Airport are from left: TV personality Nellie O'Brien, two cabin crew members, W. Deen Shareef, Senior Advisor to Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, the Honorable Mildred Crump, President of Newark Municipal Council and the US Ambassador in Qatar, Chase Untermeyer.

The launch of the US flights is the highlight of Qatar Airways’ route expansion during 2007, which has already seen Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Chennai and Geneva added to the carrier’s burgeoning network. On November 30, the carrier launches services to the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

Qatar Airways, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, currently operates a modern fleet of 58 all-Airbus aircraft to 77 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East, Indian subcontinent and America . With a growing international network, more travellers have an opportunity to use Qatar Airways’ brand new Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport , exclusively for its departing First and Business Class passengers.

The Premium Terminal features facilities including a spa, jacuzzi, exclusive duty free shopping, business centre, fine dining restaurants and cocktail bar. Built in just nine months, the US$90 million terminal is the world’s first commercial passenger building dedicated to First and Business Class passengers and offers departing and transit passengers an excellent opportunity to relax and unwind prior to their flight.

DOHA – GENEVA – NEW YORK ( NEWARK ) Schedules:

	Days	Flight Number	Departure	Arrival
Doha – Geneva	Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun	QR083	0840	1410
Geneva – New York (Newark)	Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun		1555	1855
New York (Newark) – Geneva	Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun	QR084	2155	1150*
Geneva - Doha	Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun		1305	2015

* Arrival the following day.

Notes to Editors:

Qatar Airways is one of only five airlines in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways’ cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fourth year running in 2006 and second best worldwide following a survey of more than 12 million passengers worldwide.

The airline’s fleet will almost double in size to 110 aircraft by 2015. Qatar Airways is to acquire 80 Airbus A350s and 22 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter beginning in November 2007.

The airline is a launch customer of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from 2010. Qatar Airways moves to the New Doha International Airport in 2009, when the first phase of the new facility opens. For more information, visit www.ndiaproject.com

From Ravi's Desk....

Qatar Airways Confirms Orders For 80 Airbus A350s At Paris Air Show

Airline Largest Customer Of New Aircraft In Deal Worth US$16 Billion

Doha-Based Carrier Takes A350 Deliveries From 2013

Middle East Carrier Increases Airbus A380 Orders With Three Extra Aircraft

Monday 18 June 2007

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker (left), signs a US$16 billion deal for 80 Airbus A350 aircraft at the Paris Air Show on Monday 18 June. Pictured right is Airbus President, Louis Gallois.

Le Bourget, PARIS AIR SHOW – Qatar Airways today confirmed a US$16 billion order for 80 Airbus A350s making the airline the single largest customer of the European aircraft manufacturer’s newest commercial jet. The airline has also increased its orders for the widebody Airbus A380s from two to five aircraft.

At a press conference held on the opening day of the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget today, Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker confirmed the orders in the presence of Airbus President Louis Gallois.

The A350 deal replaces original plans announced two years ago by Qatar Airways to purchase 60 A350s. Qatar Airways has now opted for the redesigned ‘Extra Wide Body’ (XWB) version of the A350 in three different variants.

Qatar Airways’ commitment announced today is for 20 Airbus A350-800s, 40 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s, the latter being a stretched version of the new aircraft. Qatar Airways is the launch customer of the A350-1000XWB variant.

The A350-XWB, depending upon variant, will have between 260 and 350 seats in a Qatar Airways’ typical two-class configuration and will be used to operate on key routes across Qatar Airways’ international network covering Europe, Africa, Far East and Indian subcontinent.

Deliveries are set to begin in August 2013 and will gradually replace the Airbus A330s, which are currently the backbone of Qatar Airways’ fleet.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker (left), shakes hands with Airbus President, Louis Gallois, after confirming an order for 80 Airbus A350 aircraft during a press conference at the Paris Air Show on Monday 18 June.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the announcement finally ended months of protracted negotiations with Airbus over the design of the A350-XWB.

“This deal has been a long time coming but clearly demonstrates Qatar Airways’ commitment to this new generation aircraft,” he said, speaking at a packed press conference at Le Bourget.

“This large A350-XWB order, comprising all three variants, underlines the confidence that Qatar Airways has in Airbus’ capability to produce an outstanding, new generation twin-engine widebody aircraft for entry into service from 2013. Qatar Airways has, and will continue to, work with Airbus and Rolls Royce in the definition and optimisation of an outstanding family of aircraft.“

Qatar Airways is the largest Airbus operator in the Middle East, currently flying 58 all-Airbus aircraft, including the A319s, A320s, A321s, A330s and A340s. Qatar Airways is also a launch customer of the A380 twin-deck ‘superjumbo’ with five now on order for deliveries beginning in 2010.

Doha-based Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world flying its award-winning Five Star service to 75 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Far East.

From June 26, Qatar Airways takes its first steps into North America with the launch of four flights a week to New York. The flights, operating via Geneva – another new destination on the airline’s rapidly growing international route map – will operate to Newark Liberty International Airport, becoming the first Middle East carrier flying to this key gateway airport in the New York area.

Just weeks later, starting on July 19, Qatar Airways will bridge the capitals of Qatar and the United States. The airline will be the only Middle East carrier flying daily non-stop services to Dulles International Airport in Washington DC.

About Qatar Airways:

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world flying to 75 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Far East with a modern fleet of 57 all-Airbus aircraft. The airline is one of only five in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways' cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fourth year running in 2006 and second best worldwide following a survey of more than 12 million passengers.

Qatar Airways plans to acquire 80 Airbus A350s and 22 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter beginning in November 2007.

The airline is a launch customer of the twin-deck Airbus A380 'super jumbos' with four aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from 2009 to coincide with the opening of the New Doha International Airport. For more information, visit www.ndiaproject.com