First-ever route from Doha will connect Miami to Middle East hub and beyond.
MIAMI – Airline industry leader Qatar Airways announced that it will begin four weekly nonstop flights to Miami International Airport from Doha, Qatar on June 10, 2014. Doha is one of the top hubs in the Middle East, which is currently the fastest-growing region in the world for air travel. A Miami-Dade Aviation Department economic impact study estimates that the new service by Qatar Airways will have an economic impact of 536 total jobs and $78.3 million in projected business revenue within Miami-Dade County.
“Qatar Airways’ decision to include Miami among its handful of U.S. destinations continues to confirm Miami-Dade County as a global center for business and tourism travel, and MIA as one of the premier airports in the world,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We welcome Qatar Airways to our community and look forward to the economic and cultural benefits of greater ties to Qatar and beyond.”
“Attracting a premier international carrier like Qatar is in line with our strategic plan to establish new routes in underserved international markets,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. Gonzalez. “We proudly celebrate Qatar Airways’ commitment to begin service at MIA as our newest airline partner, which is unequivocally one of the key milestones in our airport’s long history. Weekly flights from Doha will establish a direct connection between Miami and one of the strongest economies in the world, with service by one of the most acclaimed airlines in the world. Qatar’s extensive network within the Middle East, East Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and Western Australia connects MIA to markets we have yet to penetrate. As Qatar Airways’ sixth destination in the U.S. and its only service to the Southeast U.S. and Florida, we look forward to welcoming this game-changing new route for MIA.”
Qatar Airways, which was honored in June at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards< with awards for World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge, and for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East, will operate Boeing 777-200LR aircraft for the new service. The 777-200LR will provide Qatar Airways’ renowned “Five Star” service with 217 seats in Economy class and 42 flat-bed seats with 180-degree recline in Business class.
“Miami is a magnet for international banking and multinational corporations,” said Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker. “Known for year-around sun, Miami also attracts visitors to its vibrant tourist and entertainment industries. It’s only natural that we would open a route to this important and affluent destination.”
With more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, MIA continues to attract international carriers seeking to expand in the Americas. Qatar Airways’ announcement follows Belgian carrier Jetairfly’s commitment last month to launch non-stop service in April 2014 between MIA and Brussels, Belgium – the capital of the European Union. The new service will mark Jetairfly’s first U.S. route, Florida’s only non-stop connection to Brussels, and MIA’s 14th European destination. Canadian carrier WestJet will begin new service from Calgary on October 28 and American Airlines in November will launch new routes to MIA from Milan, Italy; Cozumel, Mexico; and the Brazilian destinations of Curitiba and Porto Alegre. In total, MIA will have welcomed seven new international routes in 2013, with service from Guadaloupe and Martinique beginning in April 2013.
In just 16 years of operations, Qatar Airways has grown to a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 132 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas. Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 family of aircraft. In October 2013, Qatar Airways will join the oneworld global alliance.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
