DUBAI: Qatar Airways announced that it would begin flying direct, non-stop, to Tokyo on October 28 this year in an effort to boost its East Asian operations. At present, the airlines routes tickets to the Japanese capital via the southern Japanese city of Osaka. The airline will serve Tokyo with its flagship Boeing 777-200 aircraft in a two class-configuration of 42 seats in Business Class and 217 in Economy. Qatar Airways launched flights to Japan in 2005 with Osaka becoming its first Japanese route. In 2010, the carrier introduced Tokyo to its operations, via Osaka. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said in a statement that “Japan has been a key market for us ever since we launched operations to Osaka in 2005. Two years ago, Qatar Airways began daily flights to Tokyo, but we have been working closely with the local authorities to ensure we secure suitable slots at Narita to make Tokyo a non-stop service which now becomes a reality from October 28 at the start of the Northern Winter flying program. “This is great news for our existing passengers travelling to and from Tokyo, as well as our trade partners with whom we work closely to develop our business in and out of Japan,” he added in announcing the new service.
