Qatar Airways on Sunday celebrated the launch of scheduled flights to Stuttgart following the arrival of its inaugural service from Doha to the Capital of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany’s sixth largest city and one of the country’s economic powerhouses. The five-star ranked airline claims to be the only Gulf carrier to operate services to Stuttgart, establishing links between the German automobile center and rest of the world through connections via its Doha hub. Stuttgart becomes the carrier’s fourth German gateway and represents the first step in capacity increases across Germany during March, when additional flights to Frankfurt and Munich are being introduced. The Berlin route remains daily non-stop from Doha. Following the touchdown of Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight at Stuttgart Airport, the aircraft was welcomed by a dramatic water salute and met by senior airport officials and local dignitaries. Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker, who led a high-profile delegation including German Ambassador to Qatar Anne Ruth Herkes said: “Stuttgart, as an attractive business location and driving force behind Germany’s strong economy, is a destination of great appeal and potential for us. Qatar has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and we are delighted to link the two dynamic powerhouses with non-stop flights, fostering business and tourism ties. Stuttgart Airport CEO Professor Georg Fundel said: “The new route via Doha is highly customer-friendly as it is a quick and convenient connection to the entire Gulf region and destinations beyond.”
 

Etihad Airways and the Engine Alliance have signed agreements for the purchase of the GP7200 engines to power its fleet of 10 Airbus A380 aircraft and for a long-term fleet management agreement for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the engines. The agreements are worth up to $1.5 billion. “The Engine Alliance is proud to confirm Etihad as our customer and to provide a comprehensive support program to fulfill Etihad’s service needs,” said Engine Alliance President Mary Ellen Jones. “Under this program, we will help Etihad keep its GP7200 engines in optimum condition to enable them to operate reliably at the lowest cost possible.” James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ CEO, said: “The GP7200 engines, provided by the Engine Alliance in this agreement, will offer significant fuel efficiencies and cost optimization for Etihad’s first Airbus A380s when they enter our fleet from 2014. “The operational, environmental and economic factors of the GP7200 engines are ideal for the A380 and these aircraft and engines will play a crucial part in Etihad’s ambitious expansion plans over the coming years.” The GP7200 engine is the leading engine for the Airbus A380 aircraft with 19 GP7200-powered A380s in service and 109 more on order. Emirates and Air France currently operate GP7200-powered A380 aircraft. Other GP7200 customers include Korean Air, which will begin operating the A380 in June, Air Austral and International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The Engine Alliance is a 50/50 joint venture of General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp.