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Tribune News Network
DOHA
Qatar Airways (QA) welcomed Air Canada’s inaugural flight from Toronto to Doha on Wednesday, establishing Hamad International Airport (HIA) as the only airport in the Middle East to be operated with a scheduled service by a North American carrier.
The flight was welcomed with a water cannon salute at the HIA and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Ambassador of Canada to Qatar HE Stefanie McCollum, along with QA Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker and Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Eng Badr Mohammed Al Meer.
The inaugural flight marks the first ever Air Canada flight to Doha and signifies the further strengthening of relations between Canada and Qatar. QA and Air Canada recently signed a codeshare agreement applicable for travel between Doha and Toronto. The agreement will enable both airlines’ passengers to enjoy seamless, one-stop connections to and from Toronto via the Best Airport in the Middle East and onwards to more than 75 destinations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
HE Stefanie McCollum said: “It is wonderful to be here to witness, and to welcome, Air Canada’s inaugural flight to Doha. It is another tangible example of the growing commercial and social ties between our two countries. Qatar is an important partner for Canada, and the connectivity these flights provide is another positive evolution in our strong bilateral relations.”
Al Baker said: “I am extremely delighted with this strong relationship that Qatar Airways has with Air Canada under the pioneering leadership of my friend Calin Rovinescu who has put Air Canada’s strong brand on the world aviation map. Air Canada, one of the most successful airlines in North America, will add huge value to Qatar Airways’ expanding network. Canada is a strategically important market for Qatar Airways, and this service will complement our existing four weekly service to Montreal and provide our travellers with additional options when planning travel to and from Canada. We look forward to harnessing our complementary strengths to increase choices for our thousands of passengers and enable smooth connectivity to a significant number of new destinations – particularly throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East.”
Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer Calin Rovinescu said: “I am delighted to strengthen our relationship with Qatar Airways, one of the world’s best airlines, which will allow Air Canada to better respond to shifting demand trends. As Air Canada rebuilds its global network, we are strategically developing new routes and pivoting towards markets that cater to Canada’s growing multicultural population. As more of our customers resume international travel next year, this enhanced agreement will allow Canadians more convenient options to visit family and friends, as well as open-up exciting new destinations. I am especially grateful to my good friend, Akbar Al Baker, for the warm welcome he has extended Air Canada in Doha.”
Engr Al Meer said: “Hamad International Airport has been successful in continuing to render its award-winning services to the world to ensure global connectivity. With focus on ensuring passenger choice, flexibility and emotional well-being, we are delighted to extend our offerings of convenience and accessibility to Air Canada passengers.”
HIA benefits from its strategic location, as 80 percent of the world’s population is within a six-hour flight of HIA, which offers more convenient connection options for global travellers. With its multi-dimensional lifestyle offerings in retails, hospitality and culture alongside its passenger-empowering technologies, HIA is the preferred gateway to the world for global travellers.
QA began flying to Canada in June 2011 with three weekly flights to Montreal that expanded to four weekly in December 2018. The airline has worked closely with the Government of Canada and its embassies around the world throughout the pandemic, temporarily operating three weekly services to Toronto in addition to charter flights to Vancouver to help bring more than 40,000 passengers home to Canada.
DOHA
Qatar Airways (QA) welcomed Air Canada’s inaugural flight from Toronto to Doha on Wednesday, establishing Hamad International Airport (HIA) as the only airport in the Middle East to be operated with a scheduled service by a North American carrier.
The flight was welcomed with a water cannon salute at the HIA and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Ambassador of Canada to Qatar HE Stefanie McCollum, along with QA Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker and Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Eng Badr Mohammed Al Meer.
The inaugural flight marks the first ever Air Canada flight to Doha and signifies the further strengthening of relations between Canada and Qatar. QA and Air Canada recently signed a codeshare agreement applicable for travel between Doha and Toronto. The agreement will enable both airlines’ passengers to enjoy seamless, one-stop connections to and from Toronto via the Best Airport in the Middle East and onwards to more than 75 destinations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
HE Stefanie McCollum said: “It is wonderful to be here to witness, and to welcome, Air Canada’s inaugural flight to Doha. It is another tangible example of the growing commercial and social ties between our two countries. Qatar is an important partner for Canada, and the connectivity these flights provide is another positive evolution in our strong bilateral relations.”
Al Baker said: “I am extremely delighted with this strong relationship that Qatar Airways has with Air Canada under the pioneering leadership of my friend Calin Rovinescu who has put Air Canada’s strong brand on the world aviation map. Air Canada, one of the most successful airlines in North America, will add huge value to Qatar Airways’ expanding network. Canada is a strategically important market for Qatar Airways, and this service will complement our existing four weekly service to Montreal and provide our travellers with additional options when planning travel to and from Canada. We look forward to harnessing our complementary strengths to increase choices for our thousands of passengers and enable smooth connectivity to a significant number of new destinations – particularly throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East.”
Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer Calin Rovinescu said: “I am delighted to strengthen our relationship with Qatar Airways, one of the world’s best airlines, which will allow Air Canada to better respond to shifting demand trends. As Air Canada rebuilds its global network, we are strategically developing new routes and pivoting towards markets that cater to Canada’s growing multicultural population. As more of our customers resume international travel next year, this enhanced agreement will allow Canadians more convenient options to visit family and friends, as well as open-up exciting new destinations. I am especially grateful to my good friend, Akbar Al Baker, for the warm welcome he has extended Air Canada in Doha.”
Engr Al Meer said: “Hamad International Airport has been successful in continuing to render its award-winning services to the world to ensure global connectivity. With focus on ensuring passenger choice, flexibility and emotional well-being, we are delighted to extend our offerings of convenience and accessibility to Air Canada passengers.”
HIA benefits from its strategic location, as 80 percent of the world’s population is within a six-hour flight of HIA, which offers more convenient connection options for global travellers. With its multi-dimensional lifestyle offerings in retails, hospitality and culture alongside its passenger-empowering technologies, HIA is the preferred gateway to the world for global travellers.
QA began flying to Canada in June 2011 with three weekly flights to Montreal that expanded to four weekly in December 2018. The airline has worked closely with the Government of Canada and its embassies around the world throughout the pandemic, temporarily operating three weekly services to Toronto in addition to charter flights to Vancouver to help bring more than 40,000 passengers home to Canada.
