Airport welcomes return of Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has returned to Birmingham Airport for the first time in three years, reconnecting the UK 's second city to the airline 's network including more than 160 destinations.
Dignitaries including Gary Kershaw, UK & Ireland country manager at Qatar Airways, West Midlands mayor Andy Street and Birmingham Airport CEO Nick Barton welcomed flight QR33 from Doha on its arrival at Birmingham.
Onboard, passengers were treated to a special menu including Beef Wellington, traditional British Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding, Shepherd 's Pie, Chicken Tikka Masala and Eton mess.
Qatar Airways cabin crew also provided mementos to passengers.
To help mark Qatar Airways ' global partnership with Formula 1 and the start of the highly anticipated British Grand Prix at nearby Silverstone this weekend, F1 legend David Coulthard, was also present at the event.
The airline, which recently won World 's Best Business Class, for the tenth time, at the Skytrax 2023 World Airline Awards, is operating one flight a day, seven days a week, to and from Birmingham Airport throughout the summer.
The flights are operated with a Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner aircraft with 254 seats: 22 in Business Class and 232 in Economy Class.
Gary Kershaw said: “We 're delighted to mark our return to Birmingham Airport, particularly on the eve of the British Grand Prix as Qatar Airways celebrates its first year as a Global Partner of Formula 1.
“Birmingham is one of the most exciting, vibrant and historic cities in the UK and we have long held a special affection for the people of this city and the Midlands region. We are proud to have played a part in bringing them to visit family and friends or conduct business abroad, as well as attend weddings and reunions all over the world.
“As our fifth UK gateway, our return to Birmingham signals Qatar Airways ' strong commitment to the UK and reaffirms the positive relationship between the UK and Qatar. We 're looking forward to offering our customers in the Midlands region even easier access to our award-winning onboard product and service and our vast global network, via the Middle East 's Best Airport, Hamad International Airport in Doha. ”
Nick Barton said: “We are thrilled to see Qatar Airways back here in the West Midlands, a region currently on a strong trajectory of growth. We are home to six million people contributing to an economy the size of Hungary's and currently boasting Britain 's strongest foreign direct investment and job creation performance outside London and the Southeast.
“Daily flights to and from Doha will be well subscribed by customers travelling for business, leisure and family purposes. While for some Doha, with its iconic Hamad International Airport, is a destination in and of itself, others will head on to destinations in Qatar Airways ' impressive global network, which includes Australasia, Africa, Asia, North and South America. ”
Andy Street added: “We all know how important global connections are to the West Midlands economy, so I am delighted that Qatar Airways has returned to Birmingham Airport.
“The daily direct flights to Doha and beyond to Qatar Airways ' vast global network, are not only a big economic boost to the region as our global ties grow, but they 're also a significant vote of confidence in the future of the West Midlands. ”
