DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) showcased its ever-strengthening network connections with Turkey as part of High-Tech Port Exhibition — a defence industry fair.
The three-day expo, under the patronage of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, ended at Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday.
More than 50 companies took part, enhancing relationships between businesses in Turkey and their GCC and Qatari counterparts, while highlighting the growing demand for high-tech equipment in the Middle East.
Dharmender Hunjan, Vice- President, Airline Partnerships and Alliances, QA, took part in a panel discussion on the development of Turkey-Qatar technical partnership in civil aviation, while the airline’s A380 First Class seat was on display.
The seat, which features a 90-inch seat pitch that transforms into a fully-flat bed, together with an expansive choice of entertainment options displayed on an individual 26-inch TV screen, provided visitors with an opportunity to sample a taste of QA’s premium on board features.
Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group, said: “QA’s services to Turkey have enjoyed exceptional popularity since their launch, to the point where we now fly to three gateways non-stop from our hub and home Hamad International Airport in Doha.
“The growing demand for high connectivity from passengers between Turkey and Qatar demonstrates strengthening ties between our two countries and the importance of exhibitions such as this, which provide ideal opportunity for businesses to network within the growing technology sector.”
QA operates to Istanbul Sabiha G?kçen Airport (double daily), Istanbul Ataturk Airport (10 flights a week) and Ankara (six weekly flights) in Turkey.
At the annual Skytrax 2015 World Airline Awards in June, QA was awarded World’s Best Airline, Best Business Class Airline Seat, and Best Airline in the Middle East.
QA has seen rapid growth in 18 years of operation and flies a modern fleet of 166 aircraft to 152 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
Sixty-seven Turkish high technology companies took part in the expo which also featured Turkey’s first national plane — TRJet — designed and built by Turkish engineers and displayed for the first time in the Middle East. TRJets will not only be used to carry passenger but also as military transport aircraft, air ambulances and VIP planes.
The first flight of TRJet, with a seating capacity of 32 passengers, is expected by 2019.
In the meantime, work will be on progress on the design and development of the enlarged TRJ628, which will have up to 70 seats. The fair was organised by Turkey’s Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association.
The Peninsula
