Will the A346 be able to operate DOH-MEL? or does it require a tech stop BKK/HKG? I hear QR service is outstanding. I would choose QR to Europe but with 2 stops...not sure... Would go for EK's direct to DXB then a hop onto Europe. Save time
QatarA340 From Qatar, joined May 2006, 1619 posts, RR: 7 Reply 6, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 5965 times:
Quoting Kaitak (Reply 5): I'd be surprised to see the airline operating via Asia; I had always understood that the intention was to operate nonstop.
Well, QR does not have enough aircraft to operate nonstop to Australia. Two are earmarked for Washington and the other two are earmarked for other routes. Probably, if QR is to start nonstop flights to Australia, the two A346 earmarked for HKG and LHR will be downgraded and transfered to the Australia route. However, QR has previously shown interested in an Asian stopover to MEL, therefore that is most likely.
Toptravel From Italy, joined Oct 2005, 144 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 5950 times:
From what I understand, they were to start non stops from DOH/MEL in July, I keep looking on their site but no news yet from them. I think they were to start 4 x week then go to daily at the end of the year. Hope they do, I would like to try them on my regular FCO/Australia flying
EK156 From United Arab Emirates, joined May 2005, 765 posts, RR: 3 Reply 8, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5918 times:
They reeaaaaaaaaaallllyyyy need to get their DOH terminal into shape and retrain alllll their ground staff cause that place is a nightmare and their ground staff are terrible!!!
The crew is nice but if a passenger boards a plane after all the headaches of the DOH terminal and the bad treatment on ground.. the crew will not be able to cope!!!
Once they get that into shape.. the will be back on track
6thfreedom From Bermuda, joined Sep 2004, 3267 posts, RR: 21 Reply 10, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 5763 times:
Quoting Toptravel (Reply 7): From what I understand, they were to start non stops from DOH/MEL in July, I keep looking on their site but no news yet from them. I think they were to start 4 x week then go to daily at the end of the year. Hope they do, I would like to try them on my regular FCO/Australia flying
July this year?? I doubt it.
QRs fleet is fully committed. I think they will struggle to even start by April 2008 on a non-stop basis, that's why I think it will happen via SE Asia, so only 1 additional A330 is required for daily ops.
Then by late 2008, as B777s start to enter the fleet, it can go non-stop.
Potentially very smart move given most airlines' first focus is Sydney. If QR are smart they will operate DOH-BOM-MEL; I am almost certain they would have the rights, and it would be an extremely lucrative route for them across all sectors.
HanginOut From Austria, joined May 2005, 545 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 5461 times:
Quoting Fly2CHC (Reply 12): Quoting Alangirvan (Reply 9):
I was wondering if QR would be interested in the Thai A340-500s now that TG is dropping the non stops to LAX and JFK.
These were sold to South African Airways
When did that happen? Also, what are SAA's plans for them?
6thfreedom From Bermuda, joined Sep 2004, 3267 posts, RR: 21 Reply 21, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 5258 times:
Quoting Sparklehorse12 (Reply 13): Potentially very smart move given most airlines' first focus is Sydney. If QR are smart they will operate DOH-BOM-MEL; I am almost certain they would have the rights, and it would be an extremely lucrative route for them across all sectors.
No rights via India, just SE Asia.
Quoting Sparklehorse12 (Reply 15): Via BOM is an interesting one - isn't Indian Airlines or Air India planning on launching direct services to MEL?
Planned for Oct this year... 3 or 5 services , A330
LaPaige From Sweden, joined May 2007, 51 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 4995 times:
A couple of years ago they were planning to operate their services to Australia through CMB (or perhaps that nothing but a rumour?).
La Paige
25 Fly2CHC: What's the link for the DOTARS website?
26 6thfreedom: I can't finde the text of the actually agreement. Grateful if any one has it. from memory though, SE and North Asia (excluding China) were the interm
27 Bill142: http://www.dotars.gov.au also check out http://www.iasc.gov.au which is the international airservices commission, a branch of DOTARS.
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