First Qatar Airways flight from Doha touches down at Cardiff
THE first Qatar Airways flight from the Middle East to Wales touched down at Cardiff Airport yesterday.
The new route for the Government-owned airport will be a “huge boost” to the country.
The five-times-a-week service between Cardiff Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, will provide capacity for up to 150,000 new passengers a year at Cardiff Airport.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “Today marks an especially important milestone for both Qatar Airways and Cardiff Airport. The new service, our fifth gateway into the UK, now provides the people of Wales and the south-west with an extensive network of more than 150 destinations globally.
“We are delighted to welcome Cardiff into our route network and to be able to provide the Welsh people with a new gateway to the world. We look forward to welcoming our new Welsh passengers on board and to connecting them to Doha and many points beyond.”
The inaugural flight was an Airbus A350-900 aircraft, chosen because its wings were made at the Airbus factory in Flintshire. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be normally be used on the route. The Dreamliner has capacity for 254 passengers, of which 22 seats will be in first-class.
The first flight touched down slightly ahead of schedule, and accompanying Mr Al Baker on board were First Minister Carwyn Jones, Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns and the airport’s chairman Roger Lewis.
The First Minister said the new route was a “huge boost” for Wales – but also called on the UK Government to give Wales the same deal that Scotland has in terms of controlling Air Passenger Duty in the country.
Mr Cairns said it is important that not only people and businesses in Wales use the service, but also that when the Severn Bridge tolls are removed, passengers from across the south-west of England travel to use the airport.
“Qatar is the UK’s third-largest export market in the Middle East and accounts for £35bn of existing investment,” said Mr Cairns. “Passengers disembarking from the first direct flight from Doha to Cardiff will get the unmistakable message that Wales is open for business.”
Cardiff Airport chairman Mr Lewis said: “This is a pivotal moment for Cardiff Airport, for Wales and the south-west of England. The farreaching consequences of this service for passengers and businesses will be transformational.
“I sincerely thank His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker for the trust he and Qatar Airways are placing in us. I am confident that the team at Cardiff Airport will deliver a world-class service with Qatar Airways for all of our passengers both visiting Wales and those travelling across the world.”