Qatar Airways Inaugural Doha-Adelaide Service
Qatar Airways Media Release - 4th May 2016
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker today hosted a press conference to officially inaugurate the airline’s new route from Doha to Adelaide, and to celebrate the arrival of the first commercial Airbus A350 to land on Australian soil. Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Mr. Mark Young and South Australia Minister of Tourism, Hon. Leon Bignell joined His Excellency Mr. Al Baker at the press conference, showing their support for the new route, which will add an estimated AUD $41 million to the local economy.
The launch of the new Adelaide route is part of Qatar Airways’ expansion plans in Australia, where it launched its new daily flight to Sydney in March this year, and where it has been flying daily to and from Melbourne since 2009, and Perth since 2012. Demand in Australia is so great that from 15th September onwards, Sydney will be served by a Qatar Airways’ bespoke super-jumbo jet – the A380 aircraft. The aircraft upgauge will add 182 seats on each daily flight, including the airline’s highly acclaimed First Class Cabin featuring just eight exclusive seats. Sydney will be the first Australian city where Qatar Airways will be flying the A380 to.
Qatar Airways Airbus A350 A7-ALH
Inaugural Doha-Adelaide Service - Arrival
Qatar Airways Airbus A350 A7-ALH
Inaugural Doha-Adelaide Service - Media Conference
Operated in a tri-class configuration, the A380 upper deck offers eight seats in First Class, 48 in Business Class and a lounge for premium passengers, and 461 Economy Class seats spread across both decks.
With the A380 commencing service imminently to Sydney, passengers travelling from Qatar Airways’ four gateways in Australia will now be served by a suite of signature products that include the A380, the Boeing 777 and also the Airbus A350 aircraft.
As the global launch customer of the Airbus A350, Qatar Airways has the largest fleet of this aircraft type of any airline in the world and already flies its eight aircraft to Munich, Singapore, U.S. and Frankfurt. The Airbus A350 is the ideal aircraft for long-haul travel as its modern design and technology provide the ultimate passenger comfort while reducing fatigue after a long-distance flight.
His Excellency. Mr. Al Baker said: “We believe that the people of South Australia deserve the best possible passenger experience when connecting to friends and family across the globe. This is why we are proud to offer them the most modern aircraft in the aviation industry, the Airbus A350, to take them to their destinations of choice where they will arrive feeling more relaxed, and less fatigued from a long-haul flight than ever before, thanks to the modern technology on board this state-of-the-art aircraft.”
South Australian Tourism Minister, Mr. Leon Bignell added: “Qatar Airways’ direct daily flights will bring in more than AUD $41 million into our visitor economy and create 228 jobs across the state.
“It is great timing for South Australia. We have just come off our highest ever number of international visitors to the state with almost 10 per cent more visitors than this time last year and well above the national growth rate.
“South Australia will be opened up to an even larger international audience with Qatar Airways flying from more than 150 destinations around the world and providing additional links between South Australia and the Middle East, Europe, India and the United States.
“As Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, I am also keen to ensure we fill the freight section of the daily flights with premium South Australian seafood and high-quality fruit and vegetables.”
Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Mr. Mark Young commented: “We’re excited to be the first airport in Australia to welcome the new-generation Airbus A350-900 aircraft – one of the most technologically advanced twin-engine aircraft in the world.
“The Qatar Airways Doha-Adelaide service opens up a brand new link with the Middle East, and provides excellent connections further afield such as with Europe and the UK.”
Passengers travelling to or from Adelaide on board the Qatar Airways Airbus A350 in one of its 36 Business Class seats will enjoy one of the most comfortable fully-flat beds in the sky with 80 inches of seat pitch. The 1-2-1 configuration gives every passenger direct access to an aisle and the on-demand à la carte menu service allows Business Class passengers to order anything from the menu at any time during the flight. The aircraft also features the state-of the-art Oryx One entertainment system, with more than 3,000 entertainment options on individual screens in all classes.
The new service to Adelaide will also provide 80 tonnes of cargo capacity per week in and out of the South Australian hub in the belly hold of the A350, connecting Australia’s leading exporters to Qatar Airways Cargo’s global network of more than 150 stations around the world. Qatar Airways Cargo, the third largest international cargo carrier, already carries more than 450 tonnes of freight in the belly hold of its Boeing 777 passenger aircraft into and out of Sydney, Perth and Melbourne per week.
With an average connection time of just 90 minutes via the airline’s hub at Hamad International Airport, passengers travelling from Adelaide can expect a smooth and seamless journey to their final destination via Doha. The contemporary and luxurious airport, which opened in 2014, has more than 40,000 square metres of retail space and restaurants including more than 70 retail and 30 food and beverage outlets, as well as a 25-metre swimming pool, gym, hotel and spa.
Daily Flight Schedule:
DOH-ADL QR914 Departs: 2130 Arrives: 1700+1
ADL-DOH QR915 Departs: 2125 Arrives: 0450+1
Qatar Airways Airbus A350 A7-ALH on short final for Adelaide Airport Runway 23
A7-ALH makes the historic first touchdown in Australia by a commercial A350 aircraft
The clean lines, Racoon Eye Cockpit Windows, and up swept wing tips of the Airbus A350
A7-ALH Tech Crew hold the nose up to wash off some speed
A puff of smoke as A7-ALH's nose wheel touched Runway 23
Reverse thrust from the engines deployed to assist with braking
A7-ALH was delivered to Qatar Airways on 7th March 2016, so is less than two months old
Air Brakes on the upper surface of the wing stand up to dump all lift and assist with the braking
The double curved wings of the Airbus A350
Although the Adelaide weather was overcast with passing showers of rain, the sun did break through at the right time for the arrival
The under belly strobe light glowing bright as A7-ALH taxies along Alpha to the International Bay
Adelaide Airport AARF Tender 4 in waiting, to provide a water cannon salute to the arriving aircraft
A7-ALH noses forward ever so slowly to the Bay
Engine shoudown and the first Doha-Sydney service has been completed - Ground Crews approach the aircraft to prepare it for unloading
Unlike the Boeing B777, the A350 only has a double bogie main undercarriage - the larger model currently under development will have a triple bogie like the Boeing B777
The Qatar Airways A350s are fitted with the Rolls Royce Trent XWB engine, each producing 84,000 Lbs of thrust. It is the most fuel efficient and cleanest engine on any aircraft in service today
Ground Crews open the rear cargo door in preparation for unloading
The forward cargo door has been opened in preparation for unloading
The AKE Containers are rolled out of the aircraft by the cargo lift
A condensation pattern appears on the underside of the wing, highlighting the internal rib structure of the wing
A7-ALH sits a Bay 16R as passengers and cargo are unloaded
His Excellency, Akbar Al Baker presents an overview of Qatar Airways and the new Airbus A350 service from Doha to Adelaide
Leon Bignell, SA Minister for Tourism and Agriculture welcomes Akbar Al Baker and Qatar Airways to Adelaide
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker answering media questions
Leon Bignell, SA Minister for Tourism and Agriculture presents Akbar Al Baker with an Indigenous Art gift
Akbar Al Baker presents Leon Bignell, SA Minister for Tourism and Agriculture, with a glass Arabian Horse
Adelaide Airport MD Mark Young presents Akbar Al Baker with a specially commissioned eagle sculpture
Akbar Al Baker presents Adelaide Airport MD Mark Young with a glass Arabian Horse
Qatar Airways CEO, His Excellency, Akbar Al Baker is very proud of the airlines growth, their 5 Star rating, and many awards
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways A350 Facts Sheet
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