Qatar Airways embarks on historic move into Canada

Marking the historic and long-anticipated launch of the thrice-weekly scheduled services between the two cities, Qatar Airways inaugurated the occasion with a ceremony on arrival, including a traditional water salute welcoming flight QR927 to Montreal.

Leading the delegation of VIPs and international media from Qatar, Dubai and India was Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker, who hailed the newest route as a key moment in the airline’s ever-expanding route map.

Montreal becomes the eighth of 15 route launches by Qatar Airways this year and the airline’s fourth North American gateway, with New York, Washington DC and Houston already featuring in its burgeoning international route map.

Guests at the arrival reception in Montreal included City Mayor Gerald Tremblay; Quebec Transport Minister Sam Hamad; Qatar’s Ambassador to Canada His Excellency Salem Al Shafi; Canadian Charge d’Affairs to Qatar, Gary Luton; and Aeroports de Montreal ceo James Cherry. 

Above: Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker addresses more than 100 guests at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport following the airline’s inaugural flight to Canada.

Addressing guests soon after arrival, Al Baker said: “This is a proud moment for me, for Qatar Airways and for the State of Qatar, as we establish a new air corridor between my country and Canada for the first time.

“I would like to offer my thanks to the Canadian government, Aeroports de Montreal and the people of Quebec for supporting Qatar Airways’ newest route and giving us such a warm welcome with an impressive water salute on arrival.

“I have continuously been asked time and time again when we would spread our wings to Canada, and I am delighted we have finally reached your shores to become the only Gulf carrier serving Montreal. Qatar is a global player in a number of industries, including oil and gas, a sector which both my country and Canada share a common bond.

“I am also delighted to say we have brought our award-winning service to your city just a week after Qatar Airways was honoured to be named Airline of the Year 2011 at the annual Skytrax airline awards held during the Paris Air Show.

“Qatar Airways is a truly global airline, strategically well positioned to take business and leisure passengers between East and West seamlessly via our transit hub in Doha. Travelling to far away destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Seychelles, Bangkok, Singapore, Maldives, Dhaka or Tehran has never been easier for the Canadian public to access, now that we have begun these new flights.”

Above: Qatar Airways launched flights to Montreal, marking its entry into Canada, with an arrival ceremony at the Canadian airport. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker is pictured third left with dignitaries from left, including Aeroports de Montreal President and CEO James Cherry; Quebec Transport Minister Sam Hamad; Montreal City Mayor, Gerald Tremblay; Qatar’s Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Salem Al Shafi; and Canadian Charge d’Affairs to Qatar, Gary Luton (extreme right).

Aéroports de Montréal president and ceo James Cherry said: “The entire team at Aéroports de Montréal is delighted by the arrival of a carrier as prestigious as Qatar Airways and the addition of such a major destination as Doha, with connections to some one hundred other cities, including eleven in India alone. The arrival of Qatar reinforces our vision for Montréal–Trudeau, which is to accentuate the airport’s role as a hub for travel between North America and Eurasia.”

Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay said: “We are pleased and proud that Qatar Airways has chosen Montreal for its very first direct connection with Canada. From now on it will be easier for residents of our two cities to foster exchanges and promote all kinds of new collaborations.” 

Quebec Transport Minister Sam Hamad said: “It’s an honour for Quebec to now be part of Qatar Airways’ destinations. The arrival of this prestigious five-star airline, combined with the dynamism of the Montreal area, will encourage profitable exchanges in all activity sectors for the citizens of both countries and the surrounding countries.”

Qatar Airways is operating its flagship Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft on the route, configured with 42 seats in Business Class and 217 seats in Economy.