Qatar Airways to resume flights to Brisbane on Thursday

Qatar Airways will resume services to Brisbane Airport this week, the first of three weekly scheduled services from Doha touching down at the Queensland gateway on Thursday.

The services will operate under existing bilateral rights until June 30, 2020, with the airline carrying both commercial passengers and freight, providing a critical cargo channel for Australian businesses and producers.

Qatar Airways has indicated its willingness to maintain and grow Brisbane operations on the basis that adequate air traffic rights are available.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff, said: “This is most welcome news and the first major sign the industry has commenced recovery phase following COVID-19 restrictions.

“Until now, Brisbane was the only major capital city without a Qatar Airways service and Queensland the only major state.

“The demand for Qatar Airways services has always been clear, with Queensland generating more than 19,000 passengers to Doha alone in 2019.

“As the world begins to heal, one stop services into Queensland from key British and European travel markets also offers a real opportunity for Queensland, with visitors arriving into Australian via Brisbane more likely to stay longer in the state, while dispersing further into regional Queensland.

“While the direct service will bring more choice for passengers, the air access and export opportunities created by the commencement of Qatar services direct to and from Brisbane for the city and state are significant.”

He added: “These services will provide much needed support Queensland and northern NSW exporters in exporting around 4,000 tonnes of beef and other perishables per annum to Qatar.

“Freight exports that none of the existing airline partners carry, and of course there is significant opportunity for additional exports across Qatar Airway’s global network.”

Qatar Airways will operate an Airbus 350-1000 on the route, offering more than 2,000 seats available on the route each week.

This is the first time an Airbus A350-1000 will land in Brisbane, providing an exciting photo opportunity for local plane spotters.

The national carrier of the State of Qatar is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world, with a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft flying to business and leisure destinations across six continents.