Qatar Airways launched scheduled, non-stop services between Doha and Melbourne this week, marking the carrier's entry into the Australian market.
The new flights take off three times a week on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday using a newly delivered Boeing B777-200LR. Journey time is 13 hours and 40 minutes. The carrier plans to increase service frequency to daily from January 1, 2010, shortly after the delivery of another brand-new B777-200LR aircraft.
The Melbourne service is the fourth and last route to be unveiled in 2009. Earlier in the year, Qatar opened flights to Houston as well as the Indian cities of Amritsar and Goa.
Melbourne is Qatar's 85th destination. The airline plans to add Sydney to its network next year.
Three other Middle Eastern carriers serve the destination: Egyptair, Emirates, Etihad.
For more information on the airline, visit www.qatarairways.com
Gigi Onag
