QA adds Chicago to its global network

Pictured from left during an airport ceremony at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport are; commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation, Rosemarie Andolino, Akbar al-Baker; Mohamed bin Abdulla al-Rumaihi and Don Welsh, CEO of Choose Chicago.Qatar Airways will fly daily to Chicago from June 15, even as the national airline brought the “The Windy City” to its global network on Wednesday. Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Chicago touched down at O’Hare International Airport yesterday marking the airline’s fourth gateway in the United States. Chicago is 126th in the airline’s worldwide network.Currently, Qatar Airways operates thrice-weekly services to Chicago.Qatar Airways now operates some 24 passenger flights a week between the United States and Doha – daily from New York, Washington DC and Houston and the new thrice-weekly services from Chicago.Qatar Airways also operates twice-weekly dedicated cargo flights between Doha and Chicago, launched in August 2010.Flight QR991 arrived to a warm welcome at a grand airport ceremony attended by a number of dignitaries, including Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States Mohamed bin Abdulla al-Rumaihi, Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al-Baker and airport officials. The new route offers a connection between Chicago and a vast number of destinations across the Middle East, Africa, India and Asia Pacific via Doha.Al Baker and Chicago airport authorities delivered speeches at O’Hare International to mark the occasion, noting the economic impact of Qatar Airways’ arrival in the city. “I would like to take this special opportunity to thank the people of Chicago and local airport authorities for their great support in helping Qatar Airways launch passenger flights to this vibrant city,” said al-Baker.“After more than five successful years of operations in North America, we are pleased to introduce Chicago as our fourth and newest US gateway and look forward to welcoming travellers from the Midwest and its catchment area to fly with us to many parts of the world and, similarly welcome visitors from around the world to this great city.“Chicago is a key route for business and leisure travellers alike, home to the world’s second busiest international airport with 70mn passengers a year. “Qatar Airways was first introduced to the city in 2010 through its successful cargo operations, which helped set the stage for a longer term partnership with this thriving city.“With the local tourism industry receiving 50mn visitors annually and Chicago being the headquarters of some of the world’s biggest corporates, including Boeing, there are many business opportunities linking our two cities and regions.“Qatar Airways today spreads its reach in North America and we are proud to say that our commitments here will continue,” al-Baker added.Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel sent a congratulatory message to Qatar Airways, commenting: “Chicago is pleased to welcome Qatar Airways’ world-class service to our global gateway, O’Hare International Airport. This new international air service creates additional economic opportunities, increases tourism to our city and strengthens Chicago’s cultural and business connection to the world. “This service will generate more than $200mn in annual economic impact and will connect passengers from Chicago to destinations across India, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.”Aside from Chicago, New York, Washington and Houston, Qatar Airways’ North American operations cover thrice-weekly services to Montreal.Al-Baker explained that Chicago marked yet another significant milestone for the airline which is expanding its global network at a remarkable pace.Qatar Airways’ Doha – Chicago route is being operated with a Boeing 777-300 Extended Range (ER) aircraft in a two-class configuration of 293 seats in economy and 42 in business class.