Qatar Airways Introduces Incheon-Doha Service

Qatar Airways will launch direct services between Incheon International Airport, Korea's main gateway, and Doha, Qatar, on March 29.

Previously, the airline provided an Incheon-Doha route that involved a transfer in Osaka, Japan and took a total of 14 hours and 30 minutes. The new direct route will shorten travel time by 5 hours and operate seven times a week.

In terms of flight duration and price, the new route is beneficial for travelers to the Middle East, Africa and Europe, a publicist with the airline said.

The new route is a timely move for a number of reasons.

Korea has recently seen a surge in corporations, especially from the energy and construction sectors, expanding their presence in the Middle East and Africa.

Additionally, the ``Visit Korea 2010-2012'' campaign is expected to generate a hike in passenger demand from the Middle East, Africa and Europe to Korea this year.

Passengers on the Incheon-Doha route will be provided with Korean meals and a wide variety of entertainment choices in Korean. There are 300 Korean flight attendants working with the airline.

The national carrier of the State of Qatar, will add five more destinations this spring.

Qatar Airways flies to 86 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India and the Americas, and plans to expand its destinations to 120 cities by 2013.

It is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, recording almost 40 percent annual growth since 1997, and has ordered more than 220 large aircraft as part of efforts to increase its profile as one of the world's premiere airlines.

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is renowned for a variety of tourist attractions, including traditional markets, museums as well as large shopping centers.