Qatar Airways starts non-stop Doha-Manchester service

Doha: Qatar Airways, one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, today launched a non-stop service from the Qatari capital Doha to Manchester, the UK’s third-largest airport.

The Qatari flag carrier is now operating flights to Manchester four times a week, bringing its total of weekly flights to the UK to 15. Manchester has become Qatar Airways’ 40th destination.

The twin-engined, wide-bodied Airbus A300-600R aircraft serving the inaugural Doha-Manchester flight was received at Manchester airport with a celebratory ‘water-cannon’ salute.

A Qatar Airways delegation, headed by chief executive officer Akbar Al-Baker, was welcomed by an airport authority reception committee led by Councillor Brian Harrison, chairman of Manchester airport.

“This new route provides travellers in the north-west of England with a non-stop service to Doha and from there, through convenient connections, to numerous other destinations in the Middle East and Asia,” Al-Baker said. “We are also offering Asian and Middle Eastern travellers convenient services to this important gateway to England’s north-west. For the well-respected industries throughout the north-west, the flights also provide fast, efficient and cost-effective cargo services to the Middle East and beyond.”

Flight QR041 departs Doha International at 01.25 every Wednesday and Sunday, arriving in Manchester at 06.25 local time. Flight QR043 departs Doha International at 12.35 every Monday and Thursday, arriving in Manchester at 17.55.