DOHA: Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, was officially welcomed to St. Petersburg by the city’s Governor, Mr. Georgy Poltavchenko, who congratulated the airline on the launch of its new direct daily service from Doha to the cultural capital of Russia.
The first flight from Doha to St. Petersburg touched down at Pulkovo Airport on 19 December with H. E. Mr. Al Baker and a VIP delegation from Qatar on board. The following day, the delegation visited the Governor’s office as part of the official launch activities.
During the visit the Governor and H.E. Mr Al Baker discussed not only the new route to the city but also Qatar Airways’ important role in bringing visitors to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the upcoming Qatar-Russia Year of Culture.
Following the visit, H.E. Mr. Al Baker commented, “It was truly an honour to meet The Governor of St. Petersburg, Mr. Georgy Poltavchenko. This was a wonderful opportunity to discuss the new Qatar Airways direct daily service from Doha to St. Petersburg and how it will enhance the number of tourists coming to the city from around our global network of more than 150 destinations.
“We highly appreciate the Governor’s support in making our new route a huge success for both the airline and for the people of St. Petersburg.”
The Governor also told H.E. Mr. Al Baker that St. Petersburg is looking forward to welcoming more guests from Qatar and to supporting the Qatar-Russia Year of Culture. As Russia’s capital of culture, the city will play an important role during this year of cultural exchange.
Mr. Poltavchenko also noted that the new route between Doha and St. Petersburg will serve to strengthen the business ties between Russia and Qatar, as well as opening up new opportunities for investment and partnership.
Qatar Airways celebrated the arrival of its inaugural flight to Saint-Petersburg on 19 December with a gala dinner event, attended by the city’s most influential VIPs, politicians and celebrities, held at the Russian Museum of Ethnography. The evening was hosted by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, who welcomed VIP guests including His Excellency Mr. Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, Qatar’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation and His Excellency Mr. Nurmakhmad Kholov, Russia’s Ambassador to Qatar.
The launch of Qatar Airways’ daily direct service to Russia’s cultural capital will increase the airline’s number of flights a week into the country to 28. Already operating to Moscow since 2003, Qatar Airways recently increased its service to the city from twice daily to three times daily to meet growing demand.
The recent relaxation in visa entry requirements for Russian nationals into Qatar has opened up this route to even more passengers wishing to experience Qatar Airways’ five-star service to more than 150 business and leisure destinations across the world.
With more than 10 tonnes of belly hold cargo capacity per week to and from St. Petersburg on board the A320 aircraft, which serves this new route, Qatar Airways Cargo is delighted to be further expanding its import and export services in Russia. The launch of service to St. Petersburg has increased the overall belly hold cargo capacity to and from Russia, with more than 40 tonnes being transported each way per week.
Qatar Airways will operate its daily St. Petersburg service with an Airbus A320 aircraft, which features 12 flatbed seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class. Passengers will be able to enjoy the airline’s superior entertainment system offering passengers various entertainment options.
Qatar Airways has added many new exciting destinations to its network in 2017, including Auckland, New Zealand; Dublin, Republic of Ireland; Nice, France and Prague, Czech Republic, to name a few. The airline will continue its rapid expansion throughout 2018 by adding new destinations such as Canberra, Australia; Cardiff, United Kingdom; and Penang, Malaysia to its global route map.
The national carrier of the State of Qatar, Qatar Airways is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 20th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft flying to business and leisure destinations across six continents.
The award-winning airline has received a number of accolades this year, including ‘Airline of the Year’ by the prestigious 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards, which was held at the Paris Air Show. This is the fourth time that Qatar Airways has been given this global recognition as the world’s best airline. In addition to being voted Best Airline by travellers from around the world, Qatar’s national carrier also won a raft of other major awards at the ceremony, including ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’
Doha – St. Petersburg Flights Schedule:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Doha (DOH) to St. Petersburg (LED) QR279 departs: 07:30 arrives: 13:50
St. Petersburg (LED) to Doha (DOH) to QR280 departs: 17:25 arrives: 23:30
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Doha (DOH) to St. Petersburg (LED) QR281 departs: 15:55 arrives: 22:10
St. Petersburg (LED) to Doha (DOH) to QR282 departs: 23:15 arrives: 05:20+1
