Qatar Airways has announced a further expansion of its African operations with plans to launch scheduled flights to Mozambique, effective October 31st.

Thrice-weekly flights will operate from Doha to Mozambique’s capital city of Maputo via Johannesburg, becoming the 20th African destination served by the award-winning airline.

The former Portuguese colony in southern Africa becomes Qatar Airways’ fourth new route across the diverse African continent to be launched during 2012.

The Maputo service will be operated by the airline’s flagship long-haul Boeing 777 aircraft.

Bordering the Indian Ocean, Mozambique has an economy based on natural resources, largely agriculture.

Chemical manufacturing, aluminium and petroleum production are significant growth sectors, attracting investment from around the world. Maputo is a city steeped in colonial architecture reflecting its strong Portuguese heritage.

On July 25th, Qatar Airways will start daily operations to Kilimanjaro, the airline’s second Tanzanian gateway, followed on August 15th by the introduction of daily flights to Mombasa, its second point in Kenya, with both destinations aimed largely at the leisure market. Last year, Africa secured two new routes – Benghazi in Libya and the Ugandan city of Entebbe.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “This truly is the year of an African adventure for Qatar Airways with the introduction of four new routes on this Continent of diverse landscapes, diverse peoples, diverse cultures and diverse natural attractions.”