Qatar Airways has announced plans to launch scheduled flights to Libya’s second largest city of Benghazi on November 1st. Operating four-times-a-week non-stop from Doha, the newest route will take the number of destination launches by the airline to 15 during 2011.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker has reinforced the strategic importance of the Qatar’s ongoing expansion in Scandinavia following its latest route launch to Oslo.

Cargolux International Airlines S.A. announced today the closing of the strategic equity partnership transaction with Qatar Airways after clearance by all competent authorities. On 9 June 2011, the Doha-based carrier had signed an agreement to acquire a 35% equity stake in Cargolux.

Qatar Airways and Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes have implemented a new code share agreement to connect travellers from Doha to 46 cities across Brazil through Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport.

Qatar Airways has announced plans to extend its presence in China with the launch of flights to a fifth gateway – the western city of Chongqing from November 28th. In 2010 Qatar Airways was recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Airlines Business Class by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

Qantas is disappointed that the pilots’ union is threatening to take industrial action which could cause disruptions to Australian travellers.