DOHA, Qatar, June 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Qatar Airways' operations to and from its Doha hub are running smoothly, with the vast majority of flights operating as scheduled.

In the past week, the award-winning global airline has flown approximately 1,200 flights between Doha and its network of more than 150 destinations around the globe, with 90 per cent of those flights departing within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure time.

In the coming months, that network will continue to grow. Yesterday, the airline launched direct service to Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Qatar Airways' service to Nice, France, will commence on 4 July, and flights to Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, on July 17. Other new destinations planned for the remainder of this year and 2018 include Las Vegas (USA), Canberra (Australia), Douala (Cameroon), Libreville (Gabon), Medan (Indonesia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Santiago (Chile) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), as well as many others.

Earlier this week the airline released its annual report for the fiscal year 2017, revealing a net profit of $541 million, a 21.7 percent year-on-year increase. The results also show an annual revenue increase of 10.4 percent.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: "Qatar Airways' global operations continue to run smoothly, with the vast majority of our network unaffected by the current circumstances. Our focus is on supporting any passengers impacted by the current situation and ensuring that we continue to deliver our award-winning service. Our network expansion continues with two new destinations launching in the next month. As far as we are concerned, it is business as usual."

He added: "This blockade unprecedented, and it is in direct contradiction to the convention that guarantees rights to civil overflight. We call upon the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to declare this an illegal act. We are not a political body, we are an airline, and this blockade has stripped us of the rights which are guaranteed to us."

In light of the blockade, the airline has significantly increased the operations of its global call center and social media to ensure concerned customers receive the best possible care, and has even extended its commercial policy to ensure greater flexibility for refunds and rebooking for any passengers whose flight is impacted by the recent travel bans. The airline has also introduced new functionality on Facebook to provide customers with flexible call-back options. The airline is widely recognized as offering the world's best service and holds the title 'Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East' as awarded by the customer-voted Skytrax awards.

Qatar Airways' revolutionary new "First in Business" seat, Qsuite, will be showcased to thousands of visitors at the Paris Air Show from June 19–25 before debuting on its first route, between Doha and London Heathrow, later this month. The Qsuite features the industry's first-ever double bed available in Business Class, with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room. Adjustable panels and movable TV monitors on the center four seats allows colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialize together.

These new features provide the ultimate customizable travel experience that enables passengers to create an environment that suits their own unique needs.

Notes to Editors:

About Qatar Airways:

Qatar Airways, based in Doha's award-winning Hamad International Airport, is celebrating 20 years of Going Places Together with travelers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations plus 10 years of flying to the United States. The world's fast growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2017; including, Auckland which began in February, Chiang Mai, Dublin, Nice, Skopje and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of 199 aircraft. A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was awarded World's Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the prestigious 2016 World Airline Awards managed by international air transport rating organization Skytrax.

Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World's Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.

Oryx One, Qatar Airways' in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline's on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.

Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cups, as well as F.C. Barcelona, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline's own brand message - Going Places Together.

Qatar Airways Cargo, the world's third largest cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 194 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, 11 Boeing 777 freighters and one Boeing 747 freighter.

For further information contact:

Jordan Clifford
BLJ WORLDWIDE
250 W 57th Street, Suite 1311
T: +1 212 486 7070
E: Jordanc@bljworldwide.com  

Visit our homepage www.qatarairways.com or our sites on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.

For Qatar Airways corporate images, please click here: http://www.qatarairways.com/corporateimages

SOURCE Qatar Airways

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