Qatar Airways has announced plans to initiate scheduled flight operations to Libya’s second largest city of Benghazi on 1 November. The launch of the new route will be followed by two other new route launches – Entebbe and Chongqing.
Qatar Airways announced on Monday that it will start regular flight operations to the Libyan port city of Benghazi from November 1.
Qatar Airways serves the capital city of Tripoli in Libya but the airline was forced to suspend flights after different nations imposed a ‘no-fly zone’ over the African country during the political unrest earlier this year. Qatar’s flag carrier hopes to recommence flights to Tripoli soon.
Airline’s new route to Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city will be operational from Tuesday next week. It will be a four times a week non-stop flight from Doha, the capital city of Qatar. An Airbus A320, dual configuration aircraft will be plied on the new route. The aircraft will feature 12 seats in First Class and 132 in Economy Class, offering enough opportunities for those looking for cheap flight tickets with Qatar Airways.
The new addition is part of the carrier’s route expansion strategy to incorporate diverse destinations in its network of flights.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker welcomed the latest addition to the airline’s growing network all across the world.
“Qatar Airways continues to strive to provide a network to cater for all travel segments, conveniently connecting through our Doha hub,” Akbar Al Baker said in the company’s press release.
“Almost a year ago in Nice, I spoke about the possibility of expanding our Libyan operations, and I am delighted that we are now, within this short of a period, set to start flights to Benghazi, another key city in the country.”
He further added: “We identified Benghazi as an underserved, primarily business destination, and now have the opportunity to bring this city into our fold.”
Benghazi is identified by the five-star airline as a key destination for trade and exports across different industries including in oil refining, food processing, cement production and tuna fishing. Qatar Airways hopes that apart from leisure travellers who look for cheap flight tickets, the new route will also serve trade purposes.
The flights will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flight QR556 will depart from Doha airport at 0930 hrs and arrive in Benghazi at 1410 hrs. From Benghazi, Flight QR557 will depart at 1510 hrs and land in Doha at 2050 hrs.
Qatar Airways’ First Flight To Uganda All Ready to Take Off
Benghazi will not be Qatar Airways’ only new launch of November. It precedes two other new route launches – Entebbe (Uganda) and Chongqing (China) – taking off on November 2 and November 28, respectively.
Qatar Airways’ daily non-stop scheduled flights to Entebbe marks the airline’s first new route to the continent of Africa since 2007.
With breathtaking scenery featuring colonial gardens and parks, Uganda is slowly emerging as one of Africa’s top leisure destination. And Entebbe is considered the gateway to up-until-now untapped natural splendour of the country. Qatar Airways hopes to tap a share of this emerging market.
On the other hand, Chongqing is the airline’s fifth gateway to the People’s Republic of China.
