DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) yesterday inaugurated its fourth UK gateway with direct flights between Doha and Birmingham connecting the city with over 150 destinations worldwide.

The flight touched down at sunrise and was greeted by a traditional water salute witnessed by the media while Dr Hugh Dunleavy Chief Commercial Officer QA who travelled on board the flight with British Ambassador to Qatar Ajay Sharma were greeted at the arrival gate by Birmingham Airport’s CEO Paul Kehoe.

The addition of Birmingham marks the fourth UK gateway for QA after London Heathrow Manchester and Edinburgh with eight weekly services operated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Akbar Al Baker Group Chief Executive QA said: “We are delighted to commence service to Birmingham our fourth UK gateway. This vibrant and economically powerful region represents an important addition to our worldwide network and is a testament to our commitment to the UK where passengers have access to over 150 global destinations accessed via 73 flights per week from the UK facilitated by smooth transfers through our home and hub Hamad International Airport (HIA).”

Sharma said “I was delighted to be able to travel on the inaugural flight from Doha to Birmingham. The launch of the route will open up further opportunities for Qatar and the UK. Like Doha Birmingham and the surrounding area is host to investment projects and tourist destinations that will appeal to investors and visitors. I am certain that this route will enhance the partnership between our two countries.”

QA now operates 73 flights per week to the UK with 42 per week to London Heathrow 16 to Manchester seven to Edinburgh and eight to Birmingham from HIA.

Kehoe said: “We are excited to be welcoming QA to Birmingham Airport. Connecting the economically vibrant West Midlands region with the rapidly developing capital city of Doha will be beneficial to passengers at both ends.

“The large selection of onward connections on Qatar’s network gives our long-haul travellers access to more of the most popular destinations around the world from Birmingham.”

The route is operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration comprising 22 seats in Business Class and 232 in Economy Class. All seats include individual TV screens with Economy Class customers benefitting from a 10.6-inch wide screen offering the latest inflight entertainment comprising 3000 options complimented by QA’s award-winning service.

Every seat has direct aisle access in Business Class where passengers can catch up on sleep in a fully-flat bed or make productive use of their time utilising the large work surface area. They can also stay connected with the option of Wi-Fi throughout the aircraft.

Birmingham is the largest and most populous city in the UK outside London in the West Midlands. The economy is dominated by the service sector and the city is a transport retail events and conference hub.

Weekly schedule: Monday Wednesday Friday and Saturday: Birmingham (BHX) to Doha (DOH) departure 08:55 arrival 17:35 and DOH to BHX departure 01:30 and arrival 06:50; Tuesday Thursday Saturday and Sunday: BHX to DOH departure 16:20 and arrival 01:00 (next day) and DOH to BHX departure 07:00 and arrival 12:20The Peninsula