Qatar Airways will add an additional 28 frequencies, which translate into nearly 48,000 extra seats to the main gateways of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane in Australia from March 29, the national carrier said yesterday.
“Qatar Airways is expanding operations to Australia to help get people home. This will be the first time Qatar Airways has operated services to Brisbane,” the national airline said.
The airline will operate the following flights: Daily service to Brisbane (Boeing 777-300ER), double daily service to Perth (Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER), double daily service to Melbourne (Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-300ER) and triple daily service to Sydney (Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-300ER).
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker said: “We know there are many people who want to be with their families and loved ones during this difficult time. We are thankful to the Australian Government, Airports and staff for their support in helping us to add additional flights to get people home, and in particular, to bring flights to Brisbane.
“We continue to operate around 150 daily flights to more than 70 cities worldwide.
“Sometimes governments put in place restrictions that mean we simply cannot fly to a country. We are working closely with governments around the world, and wherever possible we will reinstate or add more flights.”
As an airline, Qatar Airways maintains the “highest possible hygiene” standards, which include the regular disinfection of aircraft, the use of cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and thermal screening of crew.
In addition, Qatar Airways’ aircraft feature the most advanced air filtration systems, equipped with industrial-size HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of viral and bacterial contaminants from re-circulated air, providing the most effective protection against infection.
All the airline’s onboard linen and blankets are washed, dried and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while its headsets are rigorously sanitised after each flight. These items are then sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves, Qatar Airways said.
Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) was the first organisation in the world last year to achieve ISO22000:2018 certification from Bureau Veritas with UKAS accreditation, confirming its Food Safety Management System meets the highest standards.
The airline said all meal service utensils and cutlery are washed with detergents and rinsed with demineralised fresh water at temperatures that kill pathogenic bacteria.
All sanitised equipment is handled by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves, while cutlery is individually re-packed, it said.
Qatar Airways ... enhancing services to get people home
