Qatar Airways has fulfilled its long-standing ambitions to fly to Japan's capital city when flight QR8O2 touched down at Tokyo's Narita International Airport on April 27. The addition of Tokyo, following the 13.5 hour journey from Doha, marks the airline's 89th international destination and second in Japan with the carrier already serving Osaka. Tokyo also becomes the airline's fourth new route launched so far during 2010 in a year of continued aggressive expansion. Qatar Airways serves Tokyo with an Airbus A330 in a three-class configuration. With 12 First, 18 Business and 208 Economy Class seats, passengers are assured of Five Star comfort and service no matter which class of travel. Qatar Airways' passengers transiting onwards in First or Business Class through Doha onto connecting cities can use the airline's exclusive Premium Terminal, where they can unwind and relax, enjoying facilities including fine dining, spa treatments and duty free shopping. The launch of the new Tokyo flights comes ahead of Japan's Golden Week holiday season, and sees Qatar Airways become the only carrier from the Gulf operating daily flights to the Japanese capital, providing convenient connections for passengers traveling on the airline's global network via its Doha hub. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said “Tokyo has been a destination of choice for Qatar Airways for a very long time, and as the largest metropolitan area in the world, it represents an important feeder market into our growing international network.” “The Japanese are among the world's most traveled people and we are pleased that Qatar Airways can now extend its award-winning hospitality to the people of Tokyo and the surrounding area to our Doha hub and beyond,” he added. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Narita International Airport to celebrate the first flight linking the two capital cities of Tokyo and Doha. Qatar Airways Senior Vice President East Asia and South West Pacific, Marwan Koleilat, who presided over the launch event at Narita, said: “Qatar Airways appreciates Japan's culture and traditions and we are delighted to honor this most special occasion in the Japanese calendar with our very first flight from Tokyo.” The new flights strengthen the relationship between the state of Qatar and Japan, with both countries having close bilateral ties and enjoying growing trade. Qatar traded $26.23 billion worth of oil, gas and other exports with Japan in 2008, contributing 11 per cent of Japan's total crude oil imports and almost 12 percent of Japan's liquefied natural gas imports. There are currently over 30 Japanese companies operating in Qatar, with the Japanese community in Doha growing substantially from less than 200 members six years ago to over 1,100 in 2009. Qatar's imports from Japan, including motor vehicles, totaled over $2billion in 2008 and have grown significantly over the past six years.
