QA begins flights to Bucharest

Qatar’s ambassador to Romania Salem Abdullah al-Jaber, Romania’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Anca-Daniela Boagiu, al-Baker, and Romania’s Minister of Regional Development and Tourism Elena Udrea cutting a cake

Qatar Airways has begun its 2011 European expansion drive with new route Bucharest, marking the airline’s entry into the Romanian market.
Following the touchdown of flight QR943 at Bucharest’s Henri Coanda International Airport on Monday, the aircraft was welcomed by a traditional water salute and met by senior airport officials and local
dignitaries.
The flight later continued its journey to the Hungarian capital Budapest. On board was Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al-Baker, who led a high profile delegation including the Romanian ambassador to Qatar, Adrian Macelaru.
"The new routes Bucharest and Budapest will both function as gateways for new markets and will consolidate Doha’s position as a key hub linking East with West,” he said.
Bucharest Airports Company general manager Tudor Jidav said: "These new flights will allow our region to increase economic and tourism ties with the Middle East and even onwards to Asia Pacific. Romanians will now be several hours closer to Middle Eastern and Asian holiday destinations.”
Bucharest becomes the airline’s 96th route and the first new destination of 2011. Qatar Airways is the only Gulf carrier and Five Star-ranked airline flying to Romania, with the airline’s four weekly non-stop services continuing on to Budapest in neighbouring Hungary – the carrier’s 97th network point.
The route is operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration. Featuring 12 seats in Business Class and up to 132 seats in economy, the aircraft offers passengers seatback TV screens.
The airline is launching two more European destinations in early 2011 - Brussels (January 31) and Stuttgart (March 6). On April 6, Qatar Airways launches its 100th destination – the Syrian city of Aleppo.
By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of 120 aircraft. Today, the airline’s fleet stands at 94 aircraft, flying to 97 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North and South America.