Qatar Airways begins flights to Penang
Qatar Airways’ first non-stop flight to Penang touched down earlier this month, marking the inauguration of the airline’s second destination in Malaysia, as it continues its robust expansion plans in South East Asia.
Qatar Airways flight QR 850, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, departed Hamad International Airport on Tuesday at 02:30 and arrived at Penang International Airport at 14:30 on 6 February 2018.
The delegation was led by Qatar Airways’ chief commercial officer, Ehab Amin, and was accompanied by His Excellency Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, the Malaysian Ambassador to the State of Qatar.
The VIP delegation was greeted in Penang by His Excellency Essa Bin Mohamed Al-Mannai, Qatari Ambassador to Malaysia; His Excellency Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang; Datuk Badlisham Bin Ghazali, managing director, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad and Ooi Chok Yan, chief executive officer of Penang Global Tourism.
The VIP presentation at Penang
Qatar Airways group chief executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to launch direct flights to Penang, a long-anticipated addition to our global route network. Our Kuala Lumpur service started in 2001, and it has since grown to a triple-daily direct non-stop service to and from Doha. We are tremendously pleased to now be able to offer our passengers another exciting destination to experience in this beautiful country.
“The addition of Penang to our global network comes as part of our continued expansion plans throughout Eastern Asia, as we have recently launched direct services to Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Pattaya, as well as adding additional services to Krabi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.”
His Excellency Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, said: ‘We offer a UNESCO World Heritage city that is captivating in not only our cultural diversity and religious harmony but also in offering our natural beauty and world class tourism products. Let your senses be invaded by sights, sounds and smells that will entice you to come back for more.”
Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, managing director of Malaysia Airports, said: “With the current triple-daily frequencies to Kuala Lumpur catering to the many passengers travelling to destinations in North America and Europe, we believe that the same demand for these destinations from Penang is growing rapidly. As one of the busiest airports in Malaysia, Penang International Airport recorded seven million passenger movements last year.
“It is without doubt that the airport is the hub for northern Malaysia, bearing potential for increased connectivity. Having worked together for the past 17 years, we take pleasure in welcoming Qatar Airways, which will be another great addition to the existing international airlines at Penang International Airport. With this new route, Qatar Airways will be the first Middle Eastern carrier to offer non-stop flight service from Doha to Penang, a city well known for being a UNESCO World Heritage City.
“The long haul flight to Penang will also bring a great expansion in tourism opportunities in Malaysia. We definitely look forward to creating many more memorable moments with Qatar Airways.”
The inaugural flight touches down in Penang
