Qatar Airways has announced the launch of a direct service between Doha and Nice, the airline’s second destination in France. Qatar Airways flight QR53, operated by a Boeing B787 Dreamliner, departed Hamad International Airport (HIA) at 7.45am on Tuesday and arrived at Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport at 1.15pm.

Located on the French Riviera, Nice has a true cosmopolitan vibe with fashionable boutiques and restaurants, alongside magnificent beaches. The city is also the gateway to the south of France, including popular destinations such as Cannes, St Tropez, Antibes and the region of Provence, while also being within easy reach of neighbouring Monaco and northern Italy.
The Qatar Airways delegation travelling on the inaugural flight, headed by senior vice-president (Qatar Airways Europe) Jonathan Harding, was welcomed by Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport chief executive officer Dominique Thillaud, Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport chief operating officer Didier Monges, Tourism Commission of PACA Region president Jennifer Salles Barbosa and City of Nice representative Rudy Salles.


A traditional water cannon salute greets the Qatar Airways flight

Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker, said: “We are truly delighted to launch a direct service between Doha and Nice. The new route is a sign of our continuous commitment to improving the travelling experience for our passengers, both in France and around the world. With five weekly flights operating between the two cities, passengers from the south of France can now connect to more than 150 destinations worldwide through Doha’s Hamad International Airport.”
Thillaud said: "The Qatar Airways flight out of Nice enhances our long-haul offering - one of the most complete among French city airports - and improves connectivity out of the region via the Doha hub. This is, therefore, excellent news for tourism professionals on the Cote d'Azur and companies in the area who will benefit from a new route for air cargo exports."
Qatar Airways recently announced its partnership with the French Riviera’s premium helicopter operator Monacair, providing passengers arriving in Nice on board the newly-launched direct service with the opportunity to "seamlessly connect" onto a Monacair helicopter flight to Monte Carlo. Likewise, passengers travelling from Monaco to Nice by helicopter will be able to connect at Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport to a choice of more than 150 destinations on Qatar Airways’ global network.
The five weekly flights between HIA and Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport will be served by the Boeing B787 Dreamliner, which offers a two-class configuration with 22 seats in Business Class and 232 in Economy.
Qatar Airways currently operates 21 weekly flights between Doha and Paris with the airline’s ultra-modern fleet of Airbus A380 and A350. The airline also recently opened its Premium Lounge at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
Qatar Airways Cargo currently operates twice-weekly B777 freighters to Paris via Stansted, UK, in addition to transporting belly cargo on the airline’s three-time daily passenger flights to the capital city of France. The introduction of direct flights to Nice will offer 60 tonnes of weekly belly-hold capacity and take the total cargo capacity out of France to over 560 tonnes, according to a press statement.
Major exports from Nice include perfumes, flowers, vaccines and general cargo.

Related Story