Qatar Airways Launches Flights to Iraqi City of Basra

Doha, June 03 (QNA) - Qatar Airways on Monday launched flights to its fourth destination in the Republic of Iraq to the southern port city of Basra. The new services, operating four-times-a-week non-stop from the airline's Doha hub, takes the carrier's global network to 128 destinations worldwide, Qatar Airways said in a statement today. The launch also marks the rapid expansion by Qatar Airways in Iraq since the middle of 2012 when it began flights to Erbil, followed by the capital Baghdad and, earlier this year, Najaf. With today's route launch, Qatar Airways' frequency across Iraq rises from 12 to 16 flights each week representing a more than 25 per cent increase in services. Basra also marks the carriers fourth new Middle Eastern destination launched so far this year after Najaf, Gassim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Salalah in Oman. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said he was delighted to see additional flights open up another entry point to Iraq: "The Republic of Iraq has been on our list of expansion priorities for some time and the last 12 months have seen us move forward very quickly opening up four new gateways in Iraq with a fifth Sulaymaniyah starting in August. "Qatar Airways' commitment is strong as we continue to build on our already strong relationship between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Iraq. "Opening up Iraq to the world with more travel options and flexibility has always been part of our general strategy to enter underserved markets and give the travelling public to and from such places the ability to travel with greater choice, bringing the world closer to them." The Basra flights connect to more than 100 destinations worldwide, including London, Paris, Singapore, Bangkok, Beijing, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Delhi and Mumbai. Being Iraq's second largest city after the capital Baghdad and home to the country's main port aside from the natural business interests Basra is part of the historic and cultural location of Sumer, home of the adventurous, fictional character Sinbad the Sailor. (QNA)