Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight from Doha to London Gatwick touched down this week. The new double-daily service, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, makes London Gatwick the airline’s sixth gateway into the United Kingdom and the second gateway to London.
The route will provide more flexibility and convenience to passengers travelling to London, and will offer enhanced connectivity for passengers flying from the United Kingdom to Qatar Airways’ global route network. Over the summer period, flights to Gatwick will increase to 16 services per week.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to be expanding its reach in both London and throughout the UK. Earlier this month, we launched direct flights to Cardiff, the capital of Wales, clearly demonstrating our continued commitment to this market. We are very proud of our strong and extensive trade ties with the UK and look forward to offering our loyal passengers the chance to explore the newest and most exciting destinations within our global network.”
Image © Qatar Airways
Gatwick Airport Chief Executive Officer, Mr Stewart Wingate, said: “This new route also strengthens Gatwick’s growing long-haul network, which has more than 60 routes and we hope to grow it further still in coming months.”
This summer Qatar Airways will operate 95 flights to the UK per week, including six daily departures to London Heathrow, 16 weekly departures to London Gatwick and Manchester, and daily flights to Cardiff and Edinburgh, alongside seven flights per week to Birmingham.
The airline also recently revealed a host of forthcoming global destinations in line with its expedited expansion plans, including the announcement that Qatar Airways will be the first Gulf carrier to begin direct service to Luxembourg.
