DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) hosted guests and visitors on board its state-of-the-art fleet the opening day of the Singapore Airshow 2016 yesterday.
The award-winning carrier has three of its latest-generation aircraft on static display at Asia Pacific’s largest aerospace event.
Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group, also welcomed Pang Kin Keong, Permanent Secretary at Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and other senior officials, trade partners and members of the press on board QA’s flagship A350 aircraft, for which it was the global launch customer.
Since its inception in 2008, the airshow has evolved into Asia’s largest aviation event. This year marks the second time QA is participating in the event, traditionally a platform and opportunity for trade, media and aviation enthusiasts to experience industry developments.
Al Baker said: “Our presence at the airshow is very much enhanced compared to the last edition.
“Visitors at the showgrounds are greeted by some of the latest and most technologically advanced aircraft in our fleet. Our three aircraft on display — the A350, A380 and G650ER — are among the best in the market place now, and we are pleased to be able to showcase the future of aviation today for our visitors.”
Among the stellar line-up of aircraft on display is A350, which celebrated the first anniversary of operations in January.
QA flies the A350 to four destinations — Frankfurt, Munich, Philadelphia and Singapore — and is the first airline to fly the A350 to three continents — Asia, Europe and North America. Singapore has the distinction of being the first country in Asia to host commercial service of the A350 last May.
All three QA’s daily flights from Singapore to Doha are serviced by the A350 aircraft, signifying the importance of the republic to the airline.
QA’s Gulfstream G650ER also made its debut in the Southeast Asia region at the airshow. The business jet is the first of 30 latest-generation Gulfstream aircraft to be ordered by Qatar Executive, the private jet division of QA Group.
The Gulfstream is equipped with industry-leading cabin technology and unparalleled cabin comfort with seats that can be converted to fully flat beds for a good night’s rest.
The G650ER joins Qatar Executive’s long-range fleet of eight modern Bombardier aircraft, including three Challenger 605s, four Global 5000s, a Global XRS, and a 40-seat Airbus A319 All-Premium Class aircraft, all available for worldwide charter .The Peninsula
