Qatar to MEL & SYD within weeks

[Stefan Perkas]

Steve,

That is correct it has been confirmed on the Qatar Airways website.There is a press release which was made by the CEO at the 3rd day of the Paris Air Show. Here is a piece of that release.

The airline CEO said that Qatar Airways will launch Australian services initially to Melbourne and the inaugural flight will take place on December 6.
Qatar Airways will begin operating three weekly services using a brand new Boeing B777-200 Long Range aircraft to be delivered to the airline later this year. Operations will quickly become daily early in the New Year, following the delivery of a second long range Boeing – the airline’s fourth – from the aircraft manufacturer’s plant in Seattle, Washington.

[Sarah C]

More news to come but 6th December is the official start date:

"Qatar Airways has announced that it will commence its long-awaited Australian services with an inaugural flight on 6th December 2009.CEO Akbar Al Baker confirmed the move at the Paris Airshow, saying the carrier will operate three weekly services using a new Boeing 777-200LR to be delivered to the airline later this year and then moving to daily early in the new year when another B777-200 is received."I know the travelling public is eager for us to begin serving Australia and I've had many people ask me about our direct routes to Melbourne and Sydney. We're finalising some details with regulatory authorities in Australia, and once we've received the necessary aircraft from Boeing, we will be ready to operate," he said.

Source: Travel Daily

[Stefan Perkas]

G'day all,

In reference to the article in travel daily, Qatar have actually announced that they will begin Melbourne 3x a week from 6DEC09. then go daily in the New Year.

[Gerald A]

The full story, from the web site

Qatar Airways To Launch Melbourne Route In Time For Holiday Rush
Carrier To Begin Operating First Australian Service On December 6
Brand New Boeing B777-200LR To Begin Flying To Melbourne

http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...7June09-2.html

[Jim Liu]

Reservation for this flight is now a go-ahead.

http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/200...om-dec-09.html

[Andrew P]

Qatar's plane for the Aussie run now delivered

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/view...av2&picid=5899

Banjo

[NickN]

Premium Economy seating is a milk crate and standard economy you just get the floor

[Mike W]

Cool. Think of the savings not having to use the Jetbridge

[Rhys Xanthis]

At least it would be keeping with the situation in Doha

They don't have 1 aerobridge...but they have loads of buses, so the system works.

[Nigel C]

Have there been any firm announcements made on when they'll start flying to Sydney yet?