Middles East Carrier, Qatar Airways has continued its expansion in Africa with twice weekly flight to Lagos the commercial capital of Nigeria.
The airline had announced on its website that it will be operating 14 weekly flights from Lagos, offering enhanced connectivity on its expanding global network via Doha.
It said passengers will have more choices “so you can travel safely with the airline you can rely on. We understand you need to feel safe, so that you can travel confidently during these times. That is why we are extending our guaranteed flexibility policy, now applicable on tickets issued up to 30 June 2021 for travel up to 31 May 2022.”
“You can continue to expect the highest standards with a 5-Star COVID-19 Safety Rating from Skytrax for both our airline and Hamad International Airport, the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’.
We are proud to be flying one of the youngest, most efficient and sustainable fleets, for both our passengers and planet. “
Similarly, Qatar Airways announced that it will launch flights to Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. Notably, these are the 5th and 6th destinations in Africa added to Qatar Airways’ network since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting 6th August 2021, Qatar Airways will operate 3-weekly flights between Doha’s Hamad International Airport and Harare Airport with a stop at Lusaka Airport.
Flights to Lusaka and Harare will be operated by a Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner featuring 22 lie-flat business class seats and 232 standard economy class seats. Passengers from Zambia and Zimbabwe can connect to more than 140+ destinations across the Qatar Airways network.
Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways, said: “Africa continues to be an area of strong growth for Qatar Airways and launching this service will support the development of the economy and tourism sector in both countries. Not only do we continue to rebuild our network after the pandemic, but we are actively expanding it with the addition of these two key destinations. These are the fifth and sixth new destinations in Africa added to our network since the start of the pandemic, taking our total new destinations added across the globe to 10.”
With the addition of these two new routes, the carrier will operate over 100 weekly flights to 27 destinations in Africa.
The launch of Lusaka and Harare also supports increased demand for trade between Zambia and Zimbabwe and destinations on the Qatar Airways network such as London, Frankfurt and New York and from multiple points in China. The airline will carry a total of 30 tonnes of cargo on the aircraft on every flight. With this, Qatar Airways Cargo will play a key role in facilitating key exports from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Qatar Airways has expanded greatly in the African aviation market. Last year, it launched flights to Abuja, Accra and Launda, while Abidjan joined last week. Flights to Cairo and Alexandar in Egypt are also up and running once again following the easing of tensions between Qatar and Egypt.
Also, the airlines recently added Abidjan to its global network operations by commencing three times weekly flight service to the West African city.