Manager, East Africa, were also present. DOHA/KAMPALA: Qatar Airways yesterday announced plans to further expand its route network in the African continent. The Libyan port city of Benghazi and Ugandan city of Entebbe have joined Qatar Airways’ global network taking the carrier’s African portfolio to 16 destinations. With the airline now serving more than 100 destinations globally, the African component represents a sizeable figure and is set to grow even further, said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker. Speaking at a press conference in the Ugandan capital Kampala yesterday, Al Baker said: “So far this year we have ventured into 14 new markets, launching flights to business and leisure destinations around the world at an average rate of more than one a month. Africa has been our focus this month with start-ups to both Benghazi and Entebbe and we look forward to even more over time. “It’s premature to say where we plan to operate as we don’t want to give heads up to the competition, but there are plenty of opportunities across Africa, which remains largely underserved by international airlines.” Al Baker stressed the importance of entering markets for the long-term, saying Qatar Airways was not in the business of moving into new territory and withdrawing, instead committing and offering convenient and efficient travel options for business and leisure passengers year-round. “Here in Uganda, with our new daily non-stop flights to our Doha hub, we are committed to this market long term and look forward to offering the travelling public the high levels of service that they fully deserve. Since announcing our Uganda flights six months ago, we have received positive feedback from the travel trade and the business community.” The daily Entebbe operation provides a non-stop link to the State of Qatar in the Arabian Gulf with excellent onward connections to a vast array of destinations across the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific. In addition, Qatar Airways Cargo, the airline’s freighter arm, operates dedicated flights to Entebbe twice-weekly using an Airbus A300 aircraft, transporting a variety of goods, including produce and flowers to the Ugandan gateway. In addition to the route launch, an interline partnership was recently announced between the airline and Tanzania’s largest carrier, Precision Air. The agreement gives passengers the option to purchase a single itinerary to combine flights on both carriers’ networks, offering the convenience of one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in. By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve more than 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a fleet of over 120 aircraft. The Doha – Entebbe schedules, with effect from November 2 are: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays Depart Doha QR536 at 0800 hrs, arrive Entebbe at 1330 hrs Depart Entebbe QR537 at 1810 hrs, arrive Doha at 2315 hrs. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays: Depart Doha QR538 at 0115 hrs, arrive Entebbe at 0645 hrs . Depart Entebbe QR539 at 1410 hrs, arrive Doha at 1915 hrs. The Peninsula

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