Qatar Airways Touches Down in Lisbon for the First Time

Doha, June 24 (QNA) - Qatar Airways first ever passenger flight to Portugal landed at Lisbon Airport on Monday 24 June 2019, as the airline adds to its rapidly expanding European network. Operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, flight QR343 was greeted with a water cannon salute on arrival. HE Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: "We are delighted to launch direct services to Lisbon, the latest addition to Qatar Airways rapidly expanding European network. Lisbon is renowned for its extensive history and culture, boasting a rich artistic and gastronomic heritage. We look forward to welcoming business and leisure travelers alike on board so that they may experience this vibrant destination, one of the oldest capitals in Western Europe. The new route confirms our commitment to the Portuguese market and will provide passengers travelling from Lisbon access to Qatar Airways extensive global route network of more than 160 destinations around the world." The new daily direct services to Lisbon will be operated by the airlines state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. The service opens up a world of connectivity for Qatar Airways customers travelling from Lisbon to destinations across Africa, Asia and Australia, such as Maputo, Hong Kong, Bali, Maldives, Bangkok, Sydney and many more. Lisbon has also joined Qatar Airways air freight network, with the carrier’s cargo arm offering a total capacity of 70 tons to and from Portugal each week, and a direct connection to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas via Doha. Lisbon is the fourth new destination to be introduced by the airline this summer following the launch of flights to Izmir, Turkey, and Rabat, Morocco, in May; with Malta at the beginning of June and Davao, Philippines on 18 June; followed by Mogadishu, Somalia, on 1 July; and Langkawi, Malaysia, on 15 October. Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide. (QNA)