GEORGE TOWN: Qatar Airways is celebrating its 20th anniversary with attractive promotions across both its Business and Economy Class cabin throughout its growing global network.
Passengers buying two Business Class tickets only need to pay for the price of one, while those buying three Economy Class tickets only need to pay for two.
"Our promotion starts from today until Nov 10," Qatar Airways Asia Pacific vice-president Jared Lee said during the launch of the airlines' direct flights to Penang on Feb 6 next year.
Lee said Penang was Qatar Airways' second Malaysian destination, as part of its ambitious global expansion plans.
There will be three weekly flights between Doha and Penang. The flight leaves Doha at 2.30am and arrives in Penang at 2.30pm, and the same aircraft will depart Penang at 8.30pm and arrive in Doha at 11.20pm.
"This new flight to Penang will connect to 150 destinations across the globe to countries in Europe, United States, Middle East and Africa.
"Our European networks continue to grow and this is very important information because the top inbound market into Penang consists of European cities, with Great Britain being the top. But with opening up of the whole Europe, we can expect more tourists to come from other countries.
"And as we launch the flight, I am happy to tell you that we have seen bookings coming from Austria and Hungary into Penang, which is a pleasant surprise," he added.
Meanwhile, Lee said Qatar Airways would be launching 25 new destinations next year.
"We have just launched Sarajevo and Prague and St Petersburg is coming up very soon," he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said with the new seven-hour direct long haul flight, Penang could now open its doors to welcome more international and Middle Eastern travellers, which is an important market.
"Penang, being established as a premier modern Muslim hub, has also produced a travel guide called "Experience Penang - A Muslim Travel Guide" for the benefit of Muslim travellers, providing Muslim-friendly information to aid their discerning needs and interest either on vacation or on business to Penang," he said.
Present at the event was Qatar Airways country manager Datuk Muzammil Mohamad.