Qatar Airways takes off from Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport has welcomed its 25th international airline as premium Middle Eastern airline Qatar Airways commenced direct three-times weekly services to Doha.

The service will become daily from 1st January, further enhancing the strong business and tourism links between Victoria and the Middle East.

Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Chris Woodruff said the Qatar Airways announcement was another major win for Victoria stating "we are delighted to welcome Qatar Airways and thank them for choosing Melbourne as their much-awaited entry point into the Australian market. We are thrilled to have another premium carrier operating from our airport."

Victorian travellers can now fly non-stop direct from Melbourne to Doha then onwards to more than 80 global destinations in Qatar Airways' network across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and North America. Ranked five-star for service in every class, Qatar Airways from Melbourne will offer passengers a new standard of airline travel.

"The important role direct international air services provide to Melbourne and Victoria cannot be understated," Woodruff stated, adding "Melbourne Airport is proud to deliver significantly lower charges than our interstate competitors, curfew free 24 hour access and a single terminal precinct. With the opening of the first stage of our new international terminal earlier this month, the airport and Victoria are well-poised for strong international growth over the coming years."

25th September 2008 - DOHA ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM SET TO OPEN