DANANG – Qatar Airways has announced plans to launch direct flights to Danang, starting December 19. The central coast city will be the third Vietnamese destination on the Doha-based airline’s rapidly expanding global network, preceded by HCMC and Hanoi.
The carrier will operate four weekly flights from Qatar to Danang using Boeing 787-8 jetliners with 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class.
Commenting on the launch, Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways group chief executive, said the new direct route demonstrates the carrier’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Far East, which is a crucial market for the airline.
Its existing services to HCMC and Hanoi have recorded notable growth. Thousands of passengers experience seamless connectivity between flights every day through the modern Doha Hub at Hamad International Airport, Baker added. He expected passengers to enjoy the breathtaking coastal scenery of Danang during their trip.
Ngo Quang Vinh, director of Danang City’s Tourism Department, remarked that the city welcomes the presence of the Middle Eastern carrier, which plays a vital role in connecting Danang with global destinations. The city expects to attract more visitors in the coming period and promises to make efforts to convert Danang into an outstanding tourist destination on the global tourism map.
Qatar Airways started direct services to HCMC in 2007 and expanded its operations to Hanoi three years later. It operates two daily direct flights to the capital city of Vietnam and 10 weekly flights to HCMC.
In October last year, the airline announced its interline partnership with local budget carrier Vietjet Air, enabling Qatar Airways’ passengers to use a single reservation code to travel to cities in Vietnam not served directly by Qatar Airways.
The newly launched route linking Danang with Qatar follows the airline’s new service to Gothenburg in Sweden. The carrier plans to launch air services to a host of other destinations throughout this year, including Gothenburg in Sweden, Tallinn in Estonia and Valletta in Malta.
Source: The Saigon Times