Qatar Airways’ decision to fly to Azerbaijan was prompted by the country’s developing tourism industry and energy resources, CEO Akbar al-Baker said at a ceremony to mark the first Qatar Airways flight to Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport.The flight then proceeded to Georgia, where also it was accorded a warm welcome at Tbilisi International Airport. Speaking in Tbilisi, al-Baker said Georgia was a highly under-served part of Europe, which prompted the airline to consider opening up the route. The February 1 launch of scheduled daily flights to Tbilisi, Georgia via Baku, Azerbaijan marked Qatar Airways’ 2012 expansion programme. Al-Baker led a high-profile delegation on the Baku and Tbilisi inaugural flight QR976, including Azerbaijan Ambassador to Qatar Eldar Salimov, Georgian Ambassador Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze and Qatar’s Ambassador to Turkey and Georgia, Abdul Razzaq al-Abdul Ghani.The delegation was welcomed at Baku by Sheikh Mubarak Fahad al- Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan. Guests attended an arrival ceremony at Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport which was attended by dignitaries including Azerbaijan Airlines vice president and executive director Eldar Hajiyev, local media, business leaders and airport officials.Addressing guests at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, al-Baker said Azerbaijan’s developing tourism industry and energy resources were key factors in Qatar Airways’ decision to start operations there.“We assessed Azerbaijan as a destination with great potential that would create a new air corridor providing wider choices for both leisure and business travellers. Azerbaijan’s rich energy resources offer great business opportunities, and a landscape that provides a good base for family and independent tourism. “As well as enabling visitors from around the world to visit Baku, we also look forward to providing Azerbaijanis with the opportunity to fly to global destinations on Qatar Airways via our Doha hub.“As the only five star airline flying to Baku, Qatar Airways is proud to bring its award-winning service to the people of Azerbaijan.” In the Georgian capital, al-Baker said: “Tbilisi becomes Qatar Airways’ 112th destination worldwide and it gives me great pleasure to celebrate our arrival here. We sincerely look forward to growing this route with additional capacity in the future and we look forward to welcoming more destinations into our ever increasing European network.” After inaugurating seven new routes across Europe last year, the addition of two cities in South Eastern Europe further diversifies Qatar Airways’ portfolio on the continent.Qatar Airways is operating an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration on the Baku and Tbilisi routes, which features 12 seats in business class and up to 132 seats in economy. Regardless of the class of travel, the aircraft offers all passengers seatback TVs to enjoy interactive onboard entertainment system with a choice of more than 900 audio and video on demand options.