KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Qatar Airways will launch flights to Langkawi via Penang from Doha, four times a week, starting Oct 15.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said the flights will be increased to five times weekly from Oct 27 using the 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
“Langkawi is a sought after destination after Penang. I believe the flights will boost inbound tourism to this beautiful archipelago,” he told a press conference here today.
Akbar said the airline also had a strong collaboration with Malaysia Airlines under the code sharing pact.
Meanwhile, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the Qatar Airways flights bode well for Langkawi’s aspiration to be an international tourist destination.
“We are proud that Langkawi was chosen by Qatar Airlines, as it opens the island to middle eastern tourists,” he added.
He said Qatar Airways will be the only premium flight from the Middle East into Langkawi and hoped after this, Malaysia Airlines can schedule flights from Langkawi to the Middle East.
“In Langkawi today, we can see that the Island at present, has quite a number of five to six star hotels. We hope to boost local tourism with this partnership,” Mukhriz said.
As of June this year, Langkawi recorded 1.5 million tourist arrivals by sea and air and this number is expected to grow.
— NNN-BERNAMA