Qatar Airways prepares to launch flights to Melbourne

Qatar Airways has revealed that it is currently finalising arrangements before launching flights to Melbourne from Doha next month.

From December 6th, the airline will offer three weekly services on the route before introducing a daily connection from January 1st 2010.

In preparation for the launch, Qatar Airways' has recruited new staff in Australia and plans to further expand its workforce in the country by 25 to 30 per cent over the coming weeks.

Marwan Koleilat, the carrier's senior vice-president of commercial operations, said: "Australia is a key market for the continued growth of Qatar Airways and we are excited with the response we have already received from both the trade as well as the public.

"Since our recent briefings to the travel trade on our Melbourne flights, we have had double-digit growth in forward bookings, with June to August 2010 looking particularly robust."

Mr Koleilat also revealed that there has been strong demand for business class seats following the launch of introductory fares in September.

Qatar Airways will continue to expand in Australia following the introduction of its Melbourne service, with plans to launch flights to Sydney early next year.

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