Qatar Airways launches Flights to Bucharest / Budapest

Qatar Airways has begun its 2011 European expansion drive with new route Bucharest marking the airline’s entry into the Romanian market.

The launch of flights to Romania’s capital city signals the beginning of another year of rapid growth for the Doha-based carrier, which had a bumper 2010 launching 10 new destinations and inducting 19 new aircraft into its fleet.

“We have spent a great deal of time analysing new routes and business opportunities and I am more than pleased to say that for Qatar Airways entering into this region of Europe was a great decision,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. “The new routes Bucharest and Budapest will both function as gateways for new markets and will consolidate Doha’s position as a key hub linking East with West ... International passenger traffic from Asia and the Middle East continues to increase, and creating new connections such as Bucharest via our network hub in Doha, facilitates growth for Qatar Airways and for travel in and out of Romania to these regions.”

General Manager of Bucharest Airports Company, Tudor Jidav, added, “I am very pleased with Qatar Airways’ entry into the Romanian market and I thank the airline for the trust they have put in Henri Coanda Airport. These new flights will allow our region to increase economic and tourism ties with the Middle East and even onwards to Asia Pacific. Romanians will now be several hours closer to Middle Eastern and Asian holiday destinations.”

Bucharest becomes the airline’s 96th route and the first new destination of 2011. The airline’s four weekly non-stop services to Bucharest will continue on to Budapest in neighbouring Hungary – the carrier’s 97th network point.

The route is operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration.

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