Doha: Qatar Airways will become the first airline to operate commercial air services into Iraq in 12 years, when it begins twice-weekly flights into the southern Iraqi city of Basra from 10 June 2003.

Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker will fly on the inaugural flight from Qatar Airways'' hub in Doha Qatar, to Basra on Tuesday. Flight QR476 will also carry much-needed human and medicine aid — a present from the people of Qatar to the people of Iraq.

"Qatar Airways will be the first airline in 12 years to operate commercial airline services into Iraq when it lands its A320 in Basra on Tuesday," says Al Baker. "On behalf of the people of Qatar, it will be a great honour to deliver aid to the people of Iraq and reaffirm the brotherhood that exists between the two countries. I know that Qatar is looking forward to re-establishing the very positive historical and commercial links that have existed with the people of Iraq for many years.

"Tuesday''s aid flight and Qatar Airways'' new commercial service into Basra represent the first step in a journey that will see us rebuild the strong ties that have existed between our peoples. Our services to Basra will operate twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday, leaving Doha at 7.10 am and arriving Basra at 9.30 am, while flight QR477 will leave Basra at 10.45 am arriving Doha International at 11.10 am.

"We initially expect the flights to Basra will serve the international aid community. In full time we expect to be able to establish services for the people of Basra and Baghdad with our premium product, which has made Qatar Airways one of the fastest growing airlines in the world."

Qatar Airways has proved itself to be one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world. In the last year alone, it recorded sales revenue of 12 per cent higher than forecasts — despite the downtrend in the international aviation industry.

Building on a reputation of premium customer service, Qatar Airways has launched an aggressive growth plan to ensure that it can offer people a greater choice of destination, more flights, and the latest in-flight products and services.

As part of this growth plan, Qatar Airways will extend its route network to 50 destinations by the end of 2003. It presently flies to 40 destinations. It has recently added Manchester, Rome, and Kochi to its increasing route network. It will begin flights to Moscow in August 2003.

Qatar Airways is also increasing its fleet. It presently has 23 new Airbus aircraft, which will increase to 28 by the end of this year. Qatar Airways recently announced that it would take delivery of a long-range A319 corporate jetliner. It is also one of the launch customers for the A380 Super Jumbo in 2007.

Qatar Airways also operates a number of subsidiary companies including Qatar Aviation Services, Qatar Aviation Catering Company, Qatar Airways Holidays, Doha International Airport, and Qatar Duty Free.