Qatar Airways NY flight from June 28

Qatar Airways yesterday gave out further details of its summer expansion programme, which includes flights to Washington and New York in the US. Washington flights will commence from July 19 and New York from June 28.

A release said the airline will fly four-times-a-week between Doha and Newark's Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on the US East Coast. The flight will operate via Geneva — the airline's second destination in Switzerland — following its services to Zurich, also operated four-times-a-week.

Addressing media yesterday at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) being held in Dubai, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker presented an update on the airline's growth plans to the US and new destinations during 2007.

"Qatar Airways is preparing for its biggest route launches of the year with both New York and Washington DC coming on line this summer. We look forward to adding yet another continent to our growing network offering our passengers flying from Doha and other cities across the GCC and the Indian subcontinent with excellent connections to both New York and Washington DC."

He added: "Qatar Airways will be the first airline from the Middle East to serve Washington D.C and Newark International Airport, the gateway to New York City. Both cities promise to be key selling destinations for Qatar Airways."

In another announcement, he said: "Qatar Airways recognises the importance of key neighbouring markets like the UAE to feed traffic on to our network and I am pleased to announce that we are stepping up frequency on the Doha-Dubai route with an additional daily flight, taking our operation from seven, to eight flights a day."

At the trade show in Dubai, Qatar Airways celebrated its US destinations with the airline's stand showing off cheerleaders and Marilyn Monroe and Elvis impersonators.

Source: www.thepeninsulaqatar.com