Qatar Airways has expanded its European routes after launching its first flight between Doha and Sofia, Bulgaria.

Flight QR943 landed at Sofia International Airport last Thursday, where Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov led a greeting ceremony, also attended by airport officials, Bulgarian dignitaries and local business community.

The inaugural flight was led by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker and a delegation onboard included Miroslav Zafirov, the Bulgarian charge affaires to Qatar.

Sofia is the Qatar Airways' latest new destination this year -- following Bucharest, Budapest, Brussels, Stuttgart and Venice.

Qatar Airways has been flying to 26 cities in total, comprising 25 percent of the airlines' 100 destinations globally.

"We are delighted to add Sofia to our international route network, further strengthening the traditionally excellent relations between our two countries. We are confident that Bulgaria will prove to be a great success for Qatar Airways and will open new doors for businesses and individuals," said by al-Baker during the ceremony.

Qatar Airways will fly between Doha and Sofia four times week with a short stop over in Bucharest.

"We are proud to welcome Qatar Airways to Bulgaria and be able to offer our passengers a new gateway to more than 100 destinations worldwide. Sofia Airport is growing at a sustainable pace, gradually turning into a regional hub and I am happy to welcome Qatar Airways on Bulgarian ground,"said by Sofia International Airport CEO Veselin Peykov.

An Airbus A320 is used by the airline for the Doha -- Sofia route, fitted with 12 Business Class seats and 132 Economy Class seats.

Qatar Airways will also launch its services to Oslo in October 5, Entebbe, Uganda in November 2 and Chongqing, China in November 28.

The airline is targeting to serve 120 destinations by 2013 and eyeing to add 21 more aircraft to its present 99 aircraft.