Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker arrives in Sharjah

Qatar Airways has continued its aggressive expansion plans with the launch of two new regional routes, thereby growing its strong connections within the Middle East. 

The new routes, to Sharjah and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport, will both operate daily from the airline’s hub in Doha and add to the existing Qatar Airways network of flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, doubling the total number of destinations within the United Arab Emirates from two to four. 

The new UAE routes will both be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft and customers from around the world will benefit from the increased accessibility to the region as well as convenient connection times across the airline’s expanding global network.

There will be three flights daily to Sharjah, with two flights per day to DWC.

Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, commented: “Over the years, we have focused upon the expansion of our route network, and today’s launches to Sharjah and DWC demonstrate our commitment to the United Arab Emirates.”

“As one of our closest neighbours in the Gulf, it is of key importance to offer excellent and frequent air travel connections to the UAE, and the location of both airports relative to our network will afford travellers an even wider variety of options when they are looking to reach their final destinations,” he added.

Sharjah is the third largest of the seven emirates which form the UAE and offers an impressive array of over 20 museums, several art galleries and beautifully restored heritage areas in this bustling port city.

It is in this regard that the city was named the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2014 in recognition of its achievements. 

Dubai World Central, located in the Jebel Ali area of Dubai southwest of the city, is a strategic initiative of the government of Dubai for the establishment of the world’s first aerotropolis.

Leveraging the emirate’s position as a leading global trade, business and aviation hub, the focus of DWC is on economic development for the region.