Qatar Airways Expands Operations in Iran

EghtesadOnline: Qatar Airways started a direct flight between Doha and Isfahan on Monday, IRNA quoted Hassan Amjadi, director general of Isfahan Airports Company, as saying.

News ID: ۷۴۶۶۴۷

06 February 2019

The state-owned flag carrier of Qatar is to operate two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays using an Airbus A320 from Doha International Airport to Isfahan International Airport.

One of the top 10 airlines, Qatar Airways is capable of connecting Isfahan's airport to 160 destinations, Amjadi said, adding that Isfahan's Shahid Beheshti Airport is the fourth Iranian airport hosting planes from the Qatari flagship airliner, according to Financial Tribune.

In fact, Qatar Airways' new route to Isfahan comes on top of the airline's other destinations in Iran, namely Tehran, Shiraz and Mashhad, Qatar's daily newspaper The Peninsula reported.

The new service features 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in Economy Class.

Qatar Airways flies to Europe, North and South America, Central Asia, Far East, Oceania and Africa.

Isfahan International Airport currently has flights to Najaf, Baghdad, Kuwait City, Dubai, Istanbul and Tbilisi.

“With its incredible, age-old architecture and bustling traditional bazaars, we are thrilled to announce Isfahan as Qatar Airways’ fourth-service gateway into Iran,” Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said earlier.

"Isfahan is a city that is not only steeped in history, but one that has also emerged in recent years to combine its rich cultural heritage with modernity, making it one of Iran’s most fascinating, colorful and lively places for international visitors. We are also delighted to announce that we are increasing our weekly services to both Shiraz and Tehran in January."

Al Baker noted that these latest launches are further evidence of Qatar Airways’ commitment to Iran, which will provide greater connectivity to both business and leisure passengers alike.

Qatar Airways has operated flights to Tehran since 2004 and, with the introduction of the two extra flights, the airline will be operating a total of 20 weekly non-stop flights from Doha.

The expansion of Qatar Airways' operations in Iran comes only weeks after the United States reimposed sanctions to cripple Iran’s economy.

European carriers Air France and British Airways halted flights to Iran this year. Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has also stopped flying to Iran, while Dubai’s Emirates and flydubai have consolidated some routes as part of a partnership led by their shared state ownership.