Qatar Airways lands in Hong Kong
The Peninsula | Mar. 27, 2006
Qatar Airways has launched daily direct flights to the city of Hong Kong with the inaugural flight touching down the Hong Kong International Airport yesterday afternoon.
Hong Kong becomes the 70th destination in the growing route network of the award-winning airline. The new route launch was made even more remarkable with the use of a brand new aircraft, painted in red, brought just two weeks ago specially for the forthcoming Doha Asian Games.
"Red is the symbol of luck in the Chinese tradition. We hope our flight would bring more prosperity to this great city," said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer AkbarAl Baker, while speaking at a reception held at the airport soon after the arrival of the flight.
The official Qatari delegation led by Al Baker included Abdul Aziz Al Noaimi, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Ali Al Abdullah, chairman of the Urban Planning Commission and other senior officials and members of the media.
The inaugural flight- QR812 - was received with the firing of a water-arch; never seen before at the Hong Kong International Airport. A traditional Chinese lion dance added colour to the occasion. The Qatari delegation was received by Sandra Lee, Hong Kong's permanent secretary for Economic Development and Labour and Hong Kong Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer David Pang.
Qatar Airways Senior Manager, Commercial Operations, Far East and Australasia, Marwan Koleilat, Regional Manager Northern Far East David Chui and Area Manager Hong Kong, Rocky Kwok were also present.
Speaking at a cake-cutting ceremony that followed, Al Baker said the Hong Kong flight was launched after careful preparations of about one-and-half years. He noted that the addition of Hong Kong to the expanding route network of Qatar Airways had great significance as far its economic and cultural benefits to both sides were concerned.
"Qatar has developed very close ties with Greater China and our new service marks a very significant step to strengthening ties with this part of the world," he said.
Sandra Lee said, Doha and Hong Kong had a lot to share about their origin as well as development. "Like Doha, Hong Kong has developed from a fishing village. We built our airport ten years ago reclaiming land from the sea, and now you are doing the same," she noted.
She also recalled the WTO meeting in Doha, which marked the entry of China to the international organisation. She wished all success to the Doha Asian Games, noting that Hong Kong was one of the countries that vied with Doha in hosting the Games. Qatar Airways' daily scheduled service operates non-stop from Doha to Hong Kong - the airline's third gateway in Greater China. The airline already serves the Chinese capital Beijing and commercial centre of Shanghai with four flights a week to each city non-stop from Doha.
Hong Kong becomes Qatar Airways' 12th Far East destination in a regional route network that already covers Osaka, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Manila, Cebu, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Yangon and Jakarta. As part of the Hong Kong launch marketing campaign, Qatar Airways has embarked on a brand awareness drive across the city.
Buses, underground railway stations and the city's Airport Express Line station are fully branded with Qatar Airways' new corporate campaign. To celebrate the new route launch, Qatar Airways is also offering members of its Privilege Club frequent flyer programme travelling in Business Class with an additional 25,000 Qmiles during the first full month. This means that after just one round trip, passengers will have sufficient Qmiles for another free trip to Hong Kong in Economy Class.
In addition, Privilege Club members travelling in Economy will receive Double Qmiles for the first full month of the new route.
The new service is operated with the state-of-the-art Airbus A330 wide body aircraft, configured in two classes. Business Class features up to 24 seats reclining 160 degrees in a 2-2-2 configuration, while the Economy cabin has up to 259 seats.