Qatar Airways, Izmir touchdown.
Direct services to Izmir operated three times per week by an Airbus A320 aircraft.
DOHA, QATAR – Qatar Airways’ first flight from Doha to Izmir landed at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, marking the addition of airline’s seventh Turkish gateway. Qatar Airways flight QR 347, operated by an Airbus A320, was welcomed to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport by a celebratory water cannon salute.
The Turkish Ambassador to the State of Qatar, H.E. Fikret Ozer, was joined by Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Europe, Mr. Sylvain Bosc, on board Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Izmir.
VIPs present to greet the aircraft upon arrival included the Deputy Governor of Izmir, Mr. Aydin Memuk; DHMI Deputy Chief Manager Adnan Menderes International Airport, Mr. Necmi Karakoc; DHMI Deputy Chief Manager, Hasan Ciraci; and TAV Ege General Manager, Mr. Erkan Balci.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to launch direct services to Izmir, a beautiful coastal city and key business hub. This new gateway to Turkey will strengthen Qatar Airways’ already robust presence in the Turkish market, while providing our passengers travelling from Turkey enhanced connectivity to our extensive global route map of more than 160 destinations. Izmir is also home to the country’s second-largest port after Istanbul, and is a major commercial centre, making it a key destination for business travellers.”
TAV Ege General Manager, Mr. Erkan Balci, said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Qatar Airways inaugural flight from Doha. Izmir Adnan Menderes airport is the gateway to the world-famous Aegean region, which is home to major cultural and historic attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year from all over the world.”
Three weekly flights to Izmir will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 132 seats in Economy Class.
Set against the Aegean Sea on Turkey’s western coast, Izmir has been an important port city since ancient times. Visitors to Izmir have a wide variety of activities to enjoy, from exploring nearby monuments and archaeological sites, including the Roman Agora of ancient Smyrna, now an open-air museum, to enjoying the renowned seafood restaurants set along the city’s promenade. Tourists can also visit the restorative Balcova thermal baths, just 10km west of Izmir
Qatar Airways currently operates flights to six destinations in Turkey, with separate services to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport (21 times per week) and Istanbul Airport (14 times per week), Adana Airport (three times a week), and daily flights to Ankara. The award-winning airline will also resume direct seasonal services to Bodrum on 25 May 2019 and Antalya from 24 May 2019.
As well as enjoying the award-winning in-flight service on board, passengers travelling to Izmir will also have access to Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system, offering the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more.
A multiple-award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The airline will add a number of new destinations to its extensive route network in 2019, including Izmir, Turkey; Rabat, Morocco; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia and Langkawi, Malaysia.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
