Qatar Airways has continued its expansion plans with the launch of direct flights to its third destination in Turkey. The airline’s inaugural flight to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport touched down on Thursday evening to mark the five-star airline’s 140th destination from Doha.
The historic flight signaled the start of a four-times-weekly service to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, extending the airline’s reach in Turkey’s largest city.
The route, which will be operated by an Airbus A320, with 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in Economy, will be Qatar Airways’ third route to Turkey, in addition to dedicated flights to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and Ankara.
With the addition of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, the number of flights to Turkey rises from 14 to 18 frequencies each week.
A water cannon salute and traditional Turkish folk dance show greeted the inaugural flight, which carried Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Marwan Koleilat was welcomed by airport officials and dignitaries including Mr. Gökhan Buğday, Chief Executive Officer of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and the Ambassador of Qatar to Turkey, His Excellency Mr. Salem Mubarak Al-Shafi.
