25 September 2006
MUSCAT -- Qatar Airways has welcomed its first Airbus A340-600 aircraft to become the launch customer of the high gross weight version of the world's longest passenger jet.
According to a press release received here yesterday, the 266-seat aircraft, which is capable of flying non-stop between Doha and the US east coast with a full load of passengers and cargo, arrived to a fireman's salute welcome at Doha International Airport following a flight from Airbus' headquarters in Toulouse.
During the fireman's salute never seen before in Doha, a water arch was formed by the local fire service as the aircraft taxied to its parking bay. For the arrival ceremony, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker was joined by Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, chairman of Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority and the New Doha International Airport Steering Committee Airport, and Colonel Nasser Al Malki, director of the airport's Passports and Security Department, together with airport officials, senior airline management and members of the media in Doha.
The arrival also marked another first for Qatar Airways as the airline showed off a brand new livery to take it into the next generation of air travel. The livery change is Qatar Airways' first since its relaunch in 1997. The revamped livery will gradually be introduced as new aircraft join Qatar Airways' expanding fleet, while existing planes will be repainted progressively over time.
The new A340-600 HGW (high gross weight) aircraft has a three-class cabin layout with innovative onboard features such as First and Business Class lounges for passengers travelling in the premium cabins to unwind and relax a move designed to propel Qatar Airways into a more progressive and confident airline.
MUSCAT -- Qatar Airways has welcomed its first Airbus A340-600 aircraft to become the launch customer of the high gross weight version of the world's longest passenger jet.
According to a press release received here yesterday, the 266-seat aircraft, which is capable of flying non-stop between Doha and the US east coast with a full load of passengers and cargo, arrived to a fireman's salute welcome at Doha International Airport following a flight from Airbus' headquarters in Toulouse.
During the fireman's salute never seen before in Doha, a water arch was formed by the local fire service as the aircraft taxied to its parking bay. For the arrival ceremony, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker was joined by Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, chairman of Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority and the New Doha International Airport Steering Committee Airport, and Colonel Nasser Al Malki, director of the airport's Passports and Security Department, together with airport officials, senior airline management and members of the media in Doha.
The arrival also marked another first for Qatar Airways as the airline showed off a brand new livery to take it into the next generation of air travel. The livery change is Qatar Airways' first since its relaunch in 1997. The revamped livery will gradually be introduced as new aircraft join Qatar Airways' expanding fleet, while existing planes will be repainted progressively over time.
The new A340-600 HGW (high gross weight) aircraft has a three-class cabin layout with innovative onboard features such as First and Business Class lounges for passengers travelling in the premium cabins to unwind and relax a move designed to propel Qatar Airways into a more progressive and confident airline.
© Times of Oman 2006
