Eye-catching US-style entertainment at Qatar Airways’ stand during ITB Berlin attracted a large number of visitors as the award-winning Five-Star airline took part at the world’s largest travel and tourism fair in the German capital. With direct flights being launched by Qatar Airways to New York and Washington this summer, the airline used the opportunity at ITB to heavily promote the two new routes.

Attention-grabbing entertainment featuring American icons was a highlight on the Qatar Airways stand. Look-a-likes such as Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra sang during the show and visitors were wooed by cheerleaders dressed in Qatar Airways’ corporate colours.

Media interest was also exceptional at the airline’s press conference where Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker addressed around 150 international journalists and announced a raft of new destinations being launched over the next few months, including the carrier’s first move into the US market - and increased frequency on existing routes.

Qatar Airways’ launch of flights to Bali and Ho Chi Minh City at the end of March also gave the airline the opportunity to showcase entertainment from south-east Asia with Balinese and Vietnamese dance groups performing for visitors.

The airline literally took over ITB Berlin with a huge billboard at the entrance of the exhibition grounds promoting its large presence at the travel fair.

Qatar Airways’ two-tier stand featured a reception desk with seating area for meetings and presentations, as well as a mock-up of the New Doha International Airport, which is due to open in 2009.

Al Baker said he was delighted to have once again taken part in the world’s premier travel trade show, aimed at agents, tour operators, corporates, and meetings and conference organisers.

‘The positive response Qatar Airways received proved that the airline is truly making waves internationally, attracting more and more passengers, as well as retaining the loyalty of its existing customers,’ he said, adding that ITB Berlin this year was exceptional for Qatar Airways with so many new routes to promote.

‘2007 is a year of huge expansion for Qatar Airways and we look forward to launching nine new destinations and increasing frequency on many existing routes. Qatar Airways is confident of becoming the airline of choice for passengers anywhere in the world.’

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 53 all-Airbus aircraft to 72 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East and the Indian subcontinent.

On the Germany - Qatar route, Qatar Airways operates 21 flights a week. The Frankfurt route is served 10-times-a-week, Berlin 4-times-a-week and Munich daily. Al Baker explained that the airline was keen to increase frequency between the two countries and launch further destinations in Germany.

With a growing international network, Al Baker added that more travellers would have an opportunity to use Qatar Airways’ brand new Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and Business Class passengers.

The Premium Terminal features facilities such as a spa, jacuzzi, duty free, business centre and fine dining restaurants. 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.

New Routes for Summer 2007

? Chennai DAILY from March 24

? Bali 4 flights a week from March 24

? Ho Chi Minh City 4 flights a week from March 25

? Geneva 4 flights a week from June 28

? New York 4 flights a week from June 28

? Washington DAILY from Summer 2007

? Stockholm 4 flights a week from November 2007

Qatar Airways is one of only four 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 more than double in size by 2015 to 110 aircraft. Qatar Airways plans to acquire 60 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
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