David Casey
August 20, 2024
Qatar Airways is increasing service to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) from the start of the winter season after securing additional slots from Romanian carrier Tarom.
The Gulf carrier will offer eight flights per day from Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) to the UK’s main international gateway from Oct. 27, up from seven at present. The new flights will arrive at LHR at 2.05 p.m. and depart at 3.30 p.m.
“Growing to 56 flights a week—the most of any Gulf carrier—further reinforces our long-standing relationship with London Heathrow Airport, as well as our unique strategic alliance with British Airways, which also operates two flights a day to Doha,” Qatar Airways CCO Thierry Antinori says.
The Oneworld alliance member will now offer more than 42,000 seats per week each way between DOH and LHR this winter using a mix of Airbus A380, A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
The slot trade with Tarom, confirmed by slot coordinator Airport Coordination Limited, will see the Romanian airline drop its route connecting Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) and LHR, currently served daily using A318s. The carrier’s booking system shows that the last flight from OTP will be on Oct. 26.
Alongside the London expansion, Qatar Airways will also increase frequencies to Japan, the Maldives and the U.S. during the winter season. Male will be served four times per day from Dec. 13, up from 3X-daily at present, while Miami will rise from 10X to 12X-weekly from Dec. 16. Tokyo Narita will also receive 11X-weekly flights from Feb. 14, 2025, up from the current daily schedule.