The branded bench was used in Qatar Airways’ social media campaign supporting its recent launch of the Malta-Doha route in June.

“Qatar Airways fully understands and embraces the importance of supporting charities and their vital work in the local community,” said Mate Hoffmann, Qatar Airways Country Manager Italy and Malta. “We strongly believe in coming together to support Hospice Malta with such a worthy cause, and are thrilled that our famous ‘selfie’ bench will continue to bring comfort and cheer to the people of Malta in its new home,” the country manager added.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the donation which was dropped off last week,” said Kenneth Delia, Hospice Malta General Manager. The bench will offer our day therapy patients the opportunity for respite and comfort in our tranquil garden space. It is a fantastic initiative on the part of Qatar Airways and we could not be happier to be chosen as the airline’s charity of choice,” the general manager added.

Hospice Malta is a voluntary organisation that offers its services free of charge through a multidisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers, providing and promoting palliative care for those suffering from terminal conditions. The patient-centred palliative care offered targets the relief of pain and other physical symptoms, as well as emotional, psycho-social, and spiritual issues.

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The inaugural Qatar Airways flight from Doha marked the launch of daily operation for summer as part of Malta International Airport’s new schedule for the season, which features 127 routes. The flag carrier will also be extending this service into the winter months, during which it will be operating four weekly flights, the press statement adds.

“We are delighted to welcome this flag carrier to our airline family and to grow our route network further with the addition of Doha. The convenient flight schedule which will be operated by Qatar Airways throughout the year, will certainly strengthen our connections to the rest of the world and allow tourists from new markets outside Europe to discover Malta’s rich history, unique traditions, and spectacular underwater world,” said Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg.

“This new airline will continue to enhance connectivity to Malta and strengthen our country’s potential to achieve further growth from the Gulf, South East Asia and Australia in line with the MTA’s diversification strategy,” said Malta Tourism Authority Executive Chairman Gavin Gulia.

“We are delighted to launch direct services to Malta, the latest addition to Qatar Airways’ rapidly expanding European network,” commented His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group. “Set against the incredible backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta, with its stunning natural attractions and breathtaking architecture, is one of Europe’s most historic and culturally significant destinations,” the CEO added.

“With the flexibility of seasonal daily flights in summer, and four-times-weekly services in winter, we look forward to welcoming business and leisure travellers alike on board so that they may experience this charming destination for themselves,” added Mr Al Baker.

Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi said that the introduction of this route complements the government’s vision for tourism as it will provide better market diversification and increased connectivity for Malta.

The new direct services to Malta will have 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class. Passengers travelling to Malta will also have access to Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system.

Operating from its hub Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways flies to over 160 destinations across six continents, of which more than 80 are in Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, and Africa. In fact, besides being a point-to-point connection to the capital of Qatar, the new flight to Doha is envisaged to serve as a convenient bridge to popular long-haul destinations such as Bali, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Seychelles.

EDITORIAL NOTE: The present story has been updated with additional quotes and information related to the new service. The updated coverage has been delivered by Manfredi Bertelli.

The post Qatar Airways launches daily Malta-Doha route first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The airline announced to launch direct services to Lisbon, Portugal; Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Langkawi, Malaysia; Davao, Philippines; Izmir, Turkey and Mogadishu, Somalia in 2019.

Qatar Airways also unveiled its new Economy Class experience, which features additional leg room, faster broadband and new in-flight dining experience, called “Quisine”, featuring all new tableware with 25% larger main courses and 50% larger desserts.

The airline says it is going green with Quisine, as the new Economy Class proposition sees a significant increase in recyclable and biodegradable products and reduction in single-use plastic.

“We are very pleased to reveal our new Economy Class experience here at ITB, proving that our commitment to providing the very finest experience extends to all of our passengers, not only those in Premium class,” said Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways Group, at the announcement in Berlin. “We are also tremendously excited to be adding seven new destinations to our rapidly expanding global route network later this year, and to be able to connect our passengers to anywhere in the world they wish to go,” the CEO added.

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