Qatar Airways launches daily flights to Ukrainian capital

Qatar Airways’ (QA) first flight from Doha to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv has touched down at Boryspil International Airport (BIA), marking the launch of daily flights using an Airbus A320 aircraft.

BIA CEO Pavlo Riabikin welcomed QA’s chief commercial officer Ehab Amin at a traditional airport arrival ceremony on Monday, which was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to Ukraine, Jassim bin Rashid al-Khalifa.Speaking at a press conference, Amin highlighted the airline’s expansion plans, as well as its recently launched services to Prague and Skopje as part of its efforts to widen its network across Eastern Europe and linking these cities to QA’s global network of more than 150 destinations.Kyiv, one of Eastern Europe’s undiscovered cultural jewels, is filled with striking architecture and many art galleries and museums, according to QA. The city is both historic and modern, and quickly becoming a popular must-visit destination for travellers from around the globe.“This new route will connect businesses in Kyiv and across Ukraine to new business partners from around the globe, while also appealing to leisure travellers, offering them the opportunity to experience this charming city,” QA Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker said in a statement.Traditionally-dressed Ukranians warmly greet QA flight attendants.Meanwhile, Riabikin hoped the new route would mark the beginning of a long-term mutually beneficial partnership with QA. “Developing co-operation with the best airline companies in the world is a matter of fundamental importance for us. Yesterday’s arrival heralds a further step in qualitative development of the main airport of Ukraine,” he said.Passengers from Kyiv will not only be able to take advantage of smooth and efficient transfers through QA’s home and hub, Hamad International Airport, to more than 150 global destinations, but also take the opportunity to visit the State of Qatar itself.Emerging as an increasingly popular leisure destination, Qatar is now easier for Ukrainians to visit the country and stay for 30 days through a new visa waiver scheme.The daily flights to Kyiv will provide more than 10 tonnes of belly capacity each week, supporting the growing food product, pharmaceutical and civil aircraft industries in Ukraine. Through the airline’s expanding cargo network, QA Cargo connects Ukraine to its trade partners in Middle East and Asia via an easy transit at the cargo carrier’s Doha hub. The belly service is also complemented with a local trucking network to and from Kyiv airport.Flight Schedules:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, SaturdayFlight QR297: Doha (3.15pm) to Kyiv (8.55pm)Flight QR298: Kyiv (11.45pm) to Doha (5.05am +1)Wednesday, Friday, SundayDoha (6.25am) to Kyiv (12.25pm) Kyiv (1.25pm) to Doha (6.45pm)