Qatar Airways, the 2024 Skytrax World’s Best Airline, has expanded its European network with the launch of daily direct flights from Hamburg to Doha. This new route marks the airline’s 49th European destination and fifth in Germany, catering to the growing demand for international travel in the region. The inaugural flight landed at Hamburg Airport (HAM) on July 9th, 2024, following its departure from Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, which was recently named the best airport for retail and overall service by Skytrax.
The new route connects northern Germany to Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 global destinations, offering seamless connections to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This move is expected to bolster economic and trade links between northern Germany and these regions, with the cargo sector in Hamburg anticipating growth of up to 11% over the previous year.
The first flight was greeted by a number of dignitaries, including Dr. Peter Tschentscher, Hamburg’s First Mayor; Mr. Ali Al-Boainian, Charge de Affair of the State of Qatar’s Embassy in Berlin; Mr. Thierry Antinori, Qatar Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer; Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar; H.E. Lothar Freischlader, German Ambassador to Qatar; Christian Kunsch, CEO of Hamburg Airport; and Dr. Malte Heyne, CEO of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the significance of this new route, stating, “As Qatar and Germany’s bilateral relations continue to strengthen, we are pleased to begin this route which will further reinforce important economic and trade ties between the two countries. With our centrally-located hub in Doha, we are well positioned to be able to facilitate exports from East to West and vice versa, and we look forward to seeing the growth of this route over the coming years from the World’s Best Airport and with the World’s Best Airline.”
Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg, echoed the importance of this connection, stating, “Hamburg is an international city with centuries-old trade relations with all continents. Good flight connections via Hamburg Airport Helmut Schmidt are important for the economy, science and culture of the Hanseatic city. Qatar Airways is one of the best and most modern airlines and is now adding Hamburg to its network of over 170 destinations with daily flights to Doha. I would like to thank everyone involved in the cooperation between our airport and Qatar Airways and wish them every success with the new flight connections from Hamburg to the rest of the world.”
Thierry Antinori, Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the airline’s commitment to offering passengers a top-tier travel experience, stating, “As the World’s Best Airline, we are always striving to offer our passengers access to the award-winning Qatar Airways service and in-flight product via Hamad International Airport, voted the World’s Best Airport and Airport Retail by Skytrax in 2024, and our new route between Doha and Hamburg is evidence of this commitment. We are proud to offer our customers from northern Germany one of the most modern and comfortable aircraft choices in the world to travel to some of their favourite destinations, whether for business or leisure.”
Eng. Abdulaziz Ali AL Mawlawi, Visit Qatar Chief Executive Officer, expressed enthusiasm for the route’s impact on Qatar’s tourism sector, saying, “We at Visit Qatar are pleased to participate in yet another significant milestone for Qatar Airways and Qatar’s thriving tourism sector. This expansion will bolster Qatar’s global connectivity and underscore our commitment to becoming a leading tourist destination. The visitor experience in Qatar is distinguished by exceptional service, diverse offerings, and immersive activities. By welcoming German visitors, we foster cultural exchange and enrich the tourism landscape.”
Christian Kunsch, Hamburg Airport Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the benefits of this new connection for Hamburg’s international connectivity, stating, “We warmly welcome Qatar Airways to Hamburg Airport. As the commercial airport of northern Germany’s largest city, it is our aim to be well connected internationally. The new connection from Hamburg to Doha, one of the most important and fastest-growing hubs, greatly increases connectivity between Hamburg and the world. Our passengers can now look forward to even more flexibility in their travel planning, while Hamburg continues to gain in importance as a business location and travel destination.”
Dr. Malte Heyne, CEO of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of international accessibility for Hamburg’s economic success, stating, “As Germany’s most important foreign trade centre, international accessibility is a key factor for Hamburg. The direct connection to Qatar Airways’ Doha hub strengthens Hamburg’s links to global trade. Direct flight connections are an important factor for the attractiveness of investors and tourists as well as for the organisation of international congresses and events.”
With its strategic location, Hamad International Airport in Doha serves as an ideal hub for long-haul journeys from Germany. Qatar Airways provides connections to popular destinations such as the Maldives, Singapore, the Philippines, Bangkok, and Cape Town, as well as lesser-known locales like Goa in India, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and Chengdu in China. The flights are meticulously scheduled to ensure smooth transitions between connections, enhancing the travel experience for passengers.
The flight timetable for Hamburg is available on the Qatar Airways website and through travel agencies.
