DOHA: Qatar Airways on Monday night celebrated the launch of scheduled flight from Doha to Houston with its new daily non-stop service linking the world’s energy capitals and marking the carrier’s 84th destination.
The new route gives Qatar Airways its third daily non-stop service to America, supplementing existing daily services to Washington DC and New York City.
It is also the airline’s first foray into America’s southern states.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker led a delegation of the carrier’s executives, Qatari VIPs and media from across the GCC on flight QR077 as the inaugural flight from Doha made its near 17-hour non-stop journey to Houston.
They were greeted at George Bush Intercontinental Airport by a traditional fireman’s water cannon welcome salute, musical entertainment by a jazz trio, followed by official ceremonies, which included ribbon-cutting and speeches by business and government officials in front of local and international media. Rob Wigington, deputy director of marketing, communications and community affairs with the Houston Airport System, and Houston City Controller Annise Parker, provided welcoming remarks.
Dignitaries included Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States Ali bin Fahad Al-Hajri, as well as Texas government officials and Houston city leaders.
Addressing the gathering on arrival, Al-Baker said: “On behalf of Qatar Airways, I am delighted to see our aircraft now offering daily non-stop services to Houston. After more than a year of planning, we are finally on Texan soil.
“Qatar Airways makes history by connecting the world’s energy capitals of Doha and Houston. It is with great pride that we are able to offer the business and leisure communities of these two great cities — and cities within the United States and across the Middle East and beyond — with a great new direct flight.