Qatar Airways to launch non-stop Doha-Houston flight

Kozhikode, Jun 17: Doha-based Qatar Airways (QA) today said it will launch non-stop flight operations to Houston from Doha on November 10 this year, as part of its expansion plan.

The airlines proposed to induct 777-200 long-range version aircraft for the 17-hour non-stop service operating from Doha, QA Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker told reporters here.

The airlines, which has 62 planes, proposed to acquire one new aircraft every month from November 2008 onwards taking its total fleet strength to 110 by 2013, he said.

The deliveries included the airlines first Boeing 777-200 long range version which will be capable of flying non-stop to any key international business and leisure destinations from Doha, he said.

The airline has already ordered more than 200 aircraft worth over 30 billion dollars Mr Baker claimed.

He said the QA, which operated services to nine destinations in India from Doha, looked forward to opening up more routes in the country to give a hassle free service to the passengers.

''India today is by far the largest single market for Qatar Airways with a network of nine cities which represents more than 10 per cent of its global network of 83 international routes,'' he said.

UNI