Qatar Airways launches Doha-Harare service

PHILLIMON MHLANGA

Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, on Friday launched a new passenger service between Doha and Harare.

For the first flight, Qatar Airways’ airbus A350-900, featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite business class and 247 seats in economy class,was welcomed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe  International Airport  with a water canon salute.

Although Friday’s inaugural flight was undertaken by the airline’s state-of-the-art airbus A350-900, the new route will be operated by Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner.

The Dreamliner, with 22 business class seats and 232 economy class seats, will be flying to Harare three times a week.

It will connect passengers in Zimbabwe with Qatar Airways’ global network of over 140 destinations.

Businesses and traders will also benefit from the airline’s cargo offering, allowing more than 30 tonnes of cargo capacity per week, each way to support the two countries’ exports to destinations on the Qatar Airways network such as London, Frankfurt and New York and multiple points in China.

Representing the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, the ministry’s director, Allowance Sango, said: “Zimbabwe and Qatar share close relations, as I recall that recently, Qatar’s new Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Tariq al- Ansari, expressed Qatar’s interests in cooperating with Zimbabwe in critical sectors for the mutual benefit of the two countries. This was after presenting his credentials to His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangangwa.

“The arrival of Qatar Airways today is a testimony to these relations. Apart from great economic and social ties, the two countries are blessed with diverse tourist attractions.

These attractions are visited by millions of tourists annually and it’s opportunistic that they are now linked by this air service to bring a perfect combination of dream tourist destinations, through this world  class global airline.”

He added: “As Zimbabwe we believe that increased connectivity between Zimbabwe and other continents such as the Middle East is mutually-beneficial. It is therefore paramount that we enhance air connectivity between our two countries.

“As a sign of the Republic of Zimbabwe’s commitment to open skies policy, the government of Zimbabwe has been granting Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights to non-African States to ensure improved global connectivity. This has been evidenced by Qatar Airways flying into Harare via Lusaka.”

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) board chairman Theophilus Gambe said Qatar Airways has shown trust and confidence in Zimbabwe’s aviation industry.

“This route will provide important air connectivity not only between our two friendly countries but also between our two continents as well as providing a gateway into the global market. This connection will play a dynamic and pivotal role for our tourism, trade, and business.

“It is my pleasure to inform you that the Authority welcomes the collaborative approach resembled by all stakeholders in persuading this important airline to consider Zimbabwe as a destination of choice,” Gambe said.

Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) board chairman, Devnanda Popatlal said Zimbabwe was honoured to be part of Qatar destination network.

“We are also   encouraged by news of Qatar’s excellent reputation of observing and upholding high standards of service, safety, and security and customer service.  These are also standards that are intrinsic to our existence as a company and as such we strive to remain true to them and similarly expect the same from our business partners and stakeholders,” Popatlal said.

He added: “….The coming in of Qatar Airways into our airports give us that glimmer of hope that we are finding our feet once again. That being said we would like to assure Qatar Airways of our company and indeed our country’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19.”

Qatar Airways’ vice president for Africa, Hendrick Du Preez said: “I am honoured to bring the award-winning Qatar Airways to Harare. This new route also builds on our strong existing commitment to African region while connection our passengers to more than 140 destinations globally via our home and hub Hamad International Airport, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canadaand India to name a few.

“Customers are at the heart of everything we do  and this new route is a response to the growing demand for connectivity to key global markets.

We are thrilled to have Harare as part of the QatarAirways story.”