Akbar Al Baker told media representatives that the new route would cut travel times to the perennially popular Thai island. At present, passengers travelling on Qatar flights to Phuket have to stop in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur en route or fly to Bangkok and switch to another carrier.
The CEO stated that the new service would be up and running for the peak tourism season on Phuket. The airline will use Airbus A330s with 260 seats on the route. CEO Al Baker continued by saying Europeans loved Phuket and Doha was a strategic midway point that allowed passengers to change aircraft in comfort.
Qatar Airways launched its Doha-Kuala Lumpur service in 2010. The carrier also flies from Doha to Bangkok three times a day. CEO Al Baker also announced at the same press briefing that Qatar planned to increase this frequency to four daily flights with effect from 16 December 2014.
Qatar Airways to begin direct Phuket service
News in Asia
A major Middle Eastern airline has announced it will launch a direct route to Phuket next month. The CEO of Qatar Airways announced earlier in the week that it will commence services on the direct route from its home base of Doha to Phuket on 26 October.