Qatar Airways

[aviatorconcorde]

I saw the plane landing from the city centre, it's sunny here right now but just across the way in CWL it looks very grey!

 

[Jerry]

I saw the plane landing from the city centre, it's sunny here right now but just across the way in CWL it looks very grey!

Yeah it is. Bit of grey cloud and looks like it could rain.

 

[superking]

It went right over the top of y home in Weston super mare. It was also in and out of cloud.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Yeah it is. Bit of grey cloud and looks like it could rain.

Hopefully it will hold off till departure time.

 

[Jerry]

These are off my phone
View attachment 8523
View attachment 8524
View attachment 8525

 

[Jerry]

The first Cardiff to Doha flight has just taken off! According to someone onboard the load is just shy of 200 passengers!

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Thanks for sharing Jerry. Anyone know if the BBC will be sharing the news tonight?

Looks like all the press proceedings finished before the rain!

 

[Jerry]

Thanks for sharing Jerry. Anyone know if the BBC will be sharing the news tonight?

Looks like all the press proceedings finished before the rain!

I would've thought they'd feature it on the news, be a shame if they didn't.
And apparently the inbound load was 68 passengers and 8 tons of cargo.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I would've thought they'd feature it on the news, be a shame if they didn't.
And apparently the inbound load was 68 passengers and 8 tons of cargo.

Interesting. Glad the cargo will pay its way.

 

[Jerry]

Interesting. Glad the cargo will pay its way.

Apparently the outbound cargo was possibly 25 tonnes.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Apparently the outbound cargo was possibly 25 tonnes.

Does anyone know the price of air freight?

 

[LBA787]

Amazing to see!

As I look on from LBA with envious eyes i’d just like to say a big congratulations to all at Cardiff!

What parking stand is it on?

 

[Tinkerman]

A huge well done to all involved with this and CWL/QR of course.

Seems to have been a highly productive day, with decent loads and publicity too. Just to put it into context the freight handled today isn’t a million miles away from CWL has handled in far larger periods of time !

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Just seen ITV Wales bringing up Qatars human rights problems and the fact that they stone people, to the first minister. Not what you would want on launch day.

 

[Aviador]

Qatar Airways has landed at Cardiff Airport
Today, the first ever Qatar Airways flight jetted into Cardiff Airport, marking the start of a new direct route between Wales and the Middle East.

Guests on board included His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways; Roger Lewis, Chairman of Cardiff Airport; The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones; Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns and Her Majesty's Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Mr. Ajay Sharma GCO. (Pictured)

Passengers travelled on the inaugural flight from Hamad International Airport, Doha which was operated on the ultra-modern Airbus A350-900, whose wings are made in Wales. Going forward, the regular service will operate on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which offers a two-class configuration including 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the aircraft was greeted with a traditional water salute while Only Boys Aloud welcomed the airline’s Group Chief Executive with a rendition of Welsh songs at the aircraft steps.

From today, the world-class, 5-star airline renowned for quality and excellent customer service has introduced a direct service to Doha, Qatar that will link Wales the South West of England to significant global markets across the world including Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Asia.

Roger Lewis, Chairman of Cardiff Airport, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Cardiff Airport, for Wales and the South West of England. The far reaching consequences of this service for passengers and businesses will be transformational.

"I sincerely thank H.E., Mr. Akbar Al Baker, for the trust he and Qatar Airways are placing in us. I am confident that the team at Cardiff Airport will deliver a world-class service with Qatar Airways for all of our passengers both visiting Wales and those travelling across the world.

“The critically important relationship between Qatar, Wales and the United Kingdom is substantially strengthened today."

The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said: “I am delighted to welcome the first Qatar Airways flight from Doha to our capital city, Cardiff.

“The new direct service between Cardiff and Doha is a huge boost for Wales. It will open up Wales' links with the rest of the world and deliver new economic, leisure and travel opportunities for Welsh businesses and the people of Wales.

“Providing a direct route into the world's fastest growing hub airport, Hamad International, will also bring Wales closer to leading global markets such as India, China, Singapore and Australasia.”

Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “The first direct flight from Cardiff to Qatar plugs Wales straight into an area of massive investment and an airport with 150 onward destinations around the world. This is the fast track for Welsh companies doing business in the Gulf.

“Qatar is the UK’s third largest export market in the Middle East and accounts for £35 billion of existing investment. Passengers disembarking from the first direct flight from Doha to Cardiff will get the unmistakable message that Wales is open for business.”

Flight schedule

Doha (DOH) to Cardiff (CWL) QR 321 departs 07:25 arrives 12:50 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat)

Cardiff (CWL) to Doha (DOH) QR 322 departs 15:55 arrives 00:45 (+1) (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat)

Doha (DOH) to Cardiff (CWL) QR 323 departs 01:15 arrives 06:40 (Tue, Thu, Sun)

Cardiff (CWL) to Doha (DOH) QR 324 departs 08:10 arrives 17:00 (Tue, Thu, Sun)

 

[Jerry]

Amazing to see!

As I look on from LBA with envious eyes i’d just like to say a big congratulations to all at Cardiff!

What parking stand is it on?

It parked on stand 7 but didn't use the airbridge. I'd imagine that they'd want a few photos of Carwyn disembarking or something!

 

[Aviador]

Go Cardiff Go Go Go.....

definitely a banana moment!

 

[Jerry]

Just seen ITV Wales bringing up Qatars human rights problems and the fact that they stone people, to the first minister. Not what you would want on launch day.

Don't most Gulf states still have that sort of punishment. I'm pretty sure Saudi Arabia chops off peoples hands for theft.
There was what looked like a small protest outside the terminal earlier so I'd imagine that was what it was about.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Surprised to not see the Airbridge in use. Would've made sense to put the Airbridge on L2 and steps on L1 for the VIPs and photographs on the tarmac. Or at least put it on for the departure!

 

[Jerry]

Yeah it is odd that after all that investment they didn't use it for the inaugural flight! Lol