Qatar Airways set to boost capacity to three Italian cities

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Airways will add extra capacity to three of Italy's gateways - Venice, Rome and Milan following the airline's announcement of further expansion in the European country.

Rome and Milan will both have a 30% increase in capacity from the airline's hub in Doha with the introduction of wide body aircraft on its double daily flights, while capacity on the Venice route will increase by 70%, with the introduction of an A330 aircraft, replacing the A320 that currently serves this route daily.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker held high level meetings and a press conference in Rome recently, to speak with Italian media to discuss the airline's recent expansion in that country.

During his visit, al-Baker also met with Federica Guidi, Italian Minister of Economic Development to speak about growing ties and infrastructure projects that involve several Italian companies in Doha.

They discussed matters of mutual co-operation, including exploring synergies and areas of partnership in the aviation sector.

"Qatar Airways' growth in operations to Italy is extremely important in relation to the airline's wider route map, as it is a central trading zone, with many countries from the Far East, Middle East and Africa connecting via Doha to reach the Italian gateways for both business and leisure purposes.

"In addition, Italian companies are having an ever-growing presence in the Gulf states, and Qatar Airways is well-poised to facilitate both freighter and passenger services with the increase in recently introduced capacity," al-Baker added.

Qatar Airways operates a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and an A330 to Rome double-daily, while operating an A330 double-daily to Milan and daily to Venice.