Doha - Aviation and tourism officials last week in Kuala Lumpur hailed the latest expansion moves by Qatar Airways, which includes the addition of a new link between Malaysia's capital and the tropical Indonesian island of Bali.
A Qatar Airways delegation, led by Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker was warmly welcomed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Managing Director of Malaysia Airports Holdings, Bashir Ahmad bin Abdul Majid; Chairman of Malaysia Airports Holdings, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Aris bin Othman; and Malaysian Deputy Transport Minister, Douglas Unggah Embas, who lauded the carrier's rapid rise as an international airline.
Al Baker said, the new route is an important step in developing the airline's Far East network. "Creating this link between Kuala Lumpur and Bali gives Qatar Airways the opportunity to further showcase its excellent product to travellers in this region," he said.
Qatar Airways launched flights from Doha, its operational hub in the State of Qatar, to Bali's capital city Denapsar last week, with four services a week flying via Kuala Lumpur.
Al Baker said Far East region was home to three of four international airlines awarded a Five Star rating by independent airline industry monitor Skytrax. The only other airline in this elite club is Qatar Airways.
Malaysian Deputy Transport Minister, Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas commended the outstanding performance of Qatar Airways and its operations to Kuala Lumpur since the airline launched flights to Malaysia. He expressed his desire for continued cooperation between the Malaysian government and Qatar Airways.
The addition of Bali and Ho Chi Minh City last week, saw Qatar Airways' Far East network increase from 12 to 14 destinations. The airline already serves Hong Kong, Osaka, Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Yangon, Manila and Cebu.
In addition to Bali and Ho Chi Minh City, Qatar Airways is launching flights from Doha to five further destinations from this summer, including its first move into the US market with direct flights to New York and Washington DC.
© The Peninsula 2007
