Qatar Airways to continue EX-YU growth

Qatar Airways has said it will continue growing its presence in the former Yugoslavia following the Monday launch of its service to Skopje. The Doha-based airline confirmed that flights to Sarajevo should go ahead next month despite tickets still being unavailable for purchase. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, Qatar Airways' Chief Commercial Officer, Ehab Amin, said, "Flights will start soon. We are getting full support from the government, the civil aviation authorities and airport authorities. Of course, each operation has its own limitations. As we speak, some of our people are heading to Sarajevo for final discussions and, hopefully, within the coming days, we will announce this route". The carrier previously said it would commence operations to the Bosnian capital on August 16.

Qatar Airways recently upped frequencies to Zagreb and Belgrade and deployed additional capacity on both routes. In response to increasing demand, flights to Zagreb have increased from a ten weekly service to double daily. Initially planned only to run during July, the additional frequencies have now been extended throughout the summer. Meanwhile, services to Belgrade will be boosted with an additional three weekly services, for a total of seven per week, starting August 1. Furthermore, the equipment used on the route will be upgauged from an Airbus A320 to an A321 aircraft. A further frequency increase is expected this winter. Mr Amin noted that the Balkans represents an important market for Qatar Airways. "We feel that the Balkans are underserved and we would like to provide countries in the Balkans with a five star product they deserve. That is why we are focusing on such markets with high opportunities, which benefits both sides, the people in these countries and Qatar Airways as well. We will continue to seek opportunities in this region".

Qatar Airways' inaugural service to Skopje operated with a 100% load factor, with almost half of the travellers on board hailing from countries other than Macedonia, most notably from Asia. The airline is primarily pitching the flights to the Macedonian diaspora in Australia, but will seek other types of passengers as well. "We are here to serve different kinds of customers. These include labour traffic and VFR (visiting family and relatives). We will also go for those seeking medical treatments, point to points traffic, as well as for transit on this route. With our new visa facility allowing Macedonian citizens to transit Doha and get visa for free for four days or get a visit visa valid for thirty days on arrival, it's an added value for Macedonian passengers", Mr Amin concluded.