Qatar to MEL & SYD within weeks

[Gerald A]

Baker said Qatar Airways, wich currently flies to 84 destinations, plans to start operations to melbourne and Sydney "within weeks", subject to regulatory approval.



http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093247430

[Rhys Xanthis]

They have recently rescheduled a few sin-doh services to a333 from 773 (they were originally a332 iirc), so could be related.

[NickN]

They'd need a 773 for that range wouldn't they? Either that or an A345/6.

[Gerald A]

My money is on the B772LR.

[lloyd fox]

Yes it was mentioned recently that it will be a 772LR on a Qatar media article.
Even though this article says weeks i still believe flights wont start till October 2009.I suppose that is still 20 weeks !!!

[Rhys Xanthis]

Qatar have changed our other cross asia flight to a333 now...:mad:

Airbus all the way...A321, A333 (4 secotrs including qf ffs) on qatar, and other flights a320 and q100...:mad:

And here I was thinking that I would get my first trip on a 777, not to mention some in seat power :(

/rant

[Gerald A]

We are extremely excited to enter the new market of Australia with the addition of Sydney and Melbourne, and expanding our presence further in Europe with two more routes.”



Full story link http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/press-release-05May09.html

Fleet http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/our-fleet.html


A7-BBA 36012 B777-2DZLR 753 2009 / 02 / 03.
A7-BBB 36013 B777-2DZLR 762 2009 / 02 / 09.
A7-BBC 36015 B777-2DZLR On order
A7-BBD 36016 B777-2DZLR On order
A7-BBE 36017 B777-2DZLR On order
A7-BBF 36018 B777-2DZLR On order

[Erik H. Bakke]

So, the third 200LR operator in Sydney, then.
Are there any airlines operating the 200 (basic, non-ER model) into Sydney these days?

If so, there should be a possibility to get a shot of all 5 passenger variants of the B777 at once.
So far, I've managed to get 4 in one shot. (200ER, 200LR, 300, 300ER)

[matthew mcdonald]

Thai are the only ones to operate their 777-2D7's here and that only happens on very rare occasions.

[Steve Jones]

From another board:

QATAR announce Melbourne launch from Dec 09

QATAR Airways today announced it'll launch 3 weekly Doha - Melbourne service onboard Boeing 777-200LR from 06DEC09.

It plans to increase the service to Daily by 2010. Melbourne will be QATAR's first long-awaited destination in Australia

[Stefan Perkas]

Steve,

That is correct it has been confirmed on the Qatar Airways website.There is a press release which was made by the CEO at the 3rd day of the Paris Air Show. Here is a piece of that release.


The airline CEO said that Qatar Airways will launch Australian services initially to Melbourne and the inaugural flight will take place on December 6.
Qatar Airways will begin operating three weekly services using a brand new Boeing B777-200 Long Range aircraft to be delivered to the airline later this year. Operations will quickly become daily early in the New Year, following the delivery of a second long range Boeing – the airline’s fourth – from the aircraft manufacturer’s plant in Seattle, Washington.

[Sarah C]

More news to come but 6th December is the official start date:

"Qatar Airways has announced that it will commence its long-awaited Australian services with an inaugural flight on 6th December 2009.CEO Akbar Al Baker confirmed the move at the Paris Airshow, saying the carrier will operate three weekly services using a new Boeing 777-200LR to be delivered to the airline later this year and then moving to daily early in the new year when another B777-200 is received."I know the travelling public is eager for us to begin serving Australia and I've had many people ask me about our direct routes to Melbourne and Sydney. We're finalising some details with regulatory authorities in Australia, and once we've received the necessary aircraft from Boeing, we will be ready to operate," he said.

Source: Travel Daily

[Stefan Perkas]

G'day all,

In reference to the article in travel daily, Qatar have actually announced that they will begin Melbourne 3x a week from 6DEC09. then go daily in the New Year.

[Gerald A]

The full story, from the web site



Qatar Airways To Launch Melbourne Route In Time For Holiday Rush
Carrier To Begin Operating First Australian Service On December 6
Brand New Boeing B777-200LR To Begin Flying To Melbourne




http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/press-release-17June09-2.html

[Jim Liu]

Reservation for this flight is now a go-ahead.

http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/2009/06/qatar-schedule-to-melbourne-from-dec-09.html

[Andrew P]

Qatar's plane for the Aussie run now delivered

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=nav2&picid=5899

Banjo

[NickN]

Premium Economy seating is a milk crate and standard economy you just get the floor :D

[Mike W]

Cool. Think of the savings not having to use the Jetbridge :cool:

[Rhys Xanthis]

At least it would be keeping with the situation in Doha:p

They don't have 1 aerobridge...but they have loads of buses, so the system works.

[Nigel C]

Have there been any firm announcements made on when they'll start flying to Sydney yet?

[lloyd fox]

No Nigel nothing at all.

[Andrew P]

Qatar does NOT get a good review in today's SMH

service is not quite the "five stars" Qatar Airways professes. (http://www.smh.com.au/travel/traveller-tips/flight-test-qatar-airways-economy-class-20091029-hn2w.html)

[Montague S]

http://www.ausbt.com.au/qatar-nixes-planned-sydney-flights?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper

our friends from Doha make a good case for not flying to Sydney.

[Lee G]

In this mornings SMH -

Qatar says no to Sydney

After years of announcements and speculation, Qatar Airways reportedly has ruled out flying to Sydney. The carrier fought hard to win operating rights to Australia but launched flights only between its Doha base and Melbourne.

The airline told media attending the recent Arabian Travel Market that it never intended to fly to Sydney but had previously put in writing that it planned to start Sydney services in early 2010.

The carrier's head office did not respond to requests for further information.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/airlines-bid-to-rule-the-skies-20120614-20c40.html#ixzz1yAIC2ddU

[Lawrie L]

I dont mind about poor inflight service. I am only want to have low airfare and more competitors to fly to europe, asia, africa and middle east. Free stopover at Qatar would be bonus!