Qatar Airways is to increase its flights from London Heathrow to eight per day from the start of the winter schedule.

The Doha-based airline will add the extra daily service from Heathrow on 27 October, which will take its total flights from the UK capital from 49 to 56 per week. Joint business partner British Airways also flies twice daily between Heathrow and Doha.

Qatar Airways said it was adding the extra Heathrow service “following strong demand from customers”.

The carrier is also adding more flights on its routes from Doha to Miami and Tokyo, which will increase to 12 and 11 weekly flights respectively during the peak winter season.

Thierry Antinori, Qatar Airways’ chief commercial officer, said it was “strengthening its commitment to the UK” by adding capacity from London.

“Growing to 56 flights a week – the most of any Gulf carrier – further reinforces our longstanding relationship with London Heathrow airport, as well as our unique strategic alliance with British Airways,” he added.

The extra service will depart Doha at 9.30am for arrival at Heathrow at 2.05pm, the return flight leaves Heathrow at 3.30pm for arrival in Qatar at 1.10am.

Qatar Airways is owned by the Qatari government, while the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority, holds a 20 per cent stake in Heathrow.