In December 2018, Qatar Airways started a five-times-weekly service between Doha and Gothenburg Landvetter Airport. This connects Gothenburg and West Sweden to more than 160 destinations world-wide.

To celebrate this, Qatar Airways Group CEO His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker hosted a press conference in Gothenburg on Tuesday: “We are tremendously pleased to launch our new direct service to Gothenburg, our second gateway into Sweden. Gothenburg is both an important business centre and a growing tourist destination which is becoming increasingly popular with visitors. This new gateway will offer our Swedish passengers even more convenience and enhanced connectivity to an extensive choice of destinations on our global route network. We invite all to experience the unique charm of Gothenburg and look forward to welcoming passengers on board.”

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The five weekly flights to Gothenburg are served with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class.

Göteborg & Co acting CEO Anders Söderberg comments: “Gothenburg has for a long time strived for a long-haul route that increases our international connectivity. We are delighted that Qatar Airways has chosen to start this route which will open new opportunities for both private and business travelers. The route will be significant for the global trade and industry companies in western Sweden in their continuous development of business especially in Asia.”

Gothenburg Landvetter Airport last year had 6.8 million passengers and is building for the future. Airport Director Charlotte Ljunggren says: “We are currently expanding the airport with new terminals, a hotel and other facilities. By 2030 around 14.000 people will be employed at the airport.”

As one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, Qatar Airways Cargo already has a large presence in the Nordics region, operating belly-hold flights to and from Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm, along with four weekly freighters from Oslo. The five weekly wide-body belly-hold flights to and from Gothenburg will increase the overall tonnage to 1,000 tonnes per week from the Nordic region. Direct flights from Gothenburg will greatly benefit the automotive, pharma, high tech and general industries in Sweden, and offer efficient connections to Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand via the carrier’s hub in Doha.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.