Qatar Airways has launched its maiden service to Bulgaria with a Doha-Sofia flight, raising the airline’s European network to 26 cities.

Flight QR943 arrived at Sofia International Airport to a water salute and welcome ceremony yesterday (September 14). The Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov greeted the first flight at a reception.

Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker led a delegation on the inaugural service.

“We are delighted to add Sofia to our international route network, further strengthening the traditionally excellent relations between our two countries,” said Al baker.

“Four flights a week will give Bulgarians the opportunity to explore a whole new world, in the most convenient way with Qatar Airways via our Doha hub. Be it Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Hanoi, Phuket, Dubai, Muscat, Johannesburg or Melbourne, our network of diverse cities offers a seamless travel experience for our customers from Bulgaria, as well as for our passengers flying to Sofia from abroad.”

“Furthermore, as the only Gulf carrier offering services to and from Sofia, we are providing an exciting new travel option for passengers flying long-haul to and from Bulgaria’s capital city,” he added.

Sofia International Airport chief executive officer Veselin Peykov said: “We are proud to welcome Qatar Airways to Bulgaria and to be able to offer our passengers a new gateway to over 100 destinations worldwide. Sofia Airport is growing at a sustainable pace, gradually turning into a regional hub and I am happy to welcome Qatar Airways on Bulgarian ground.”

Qatar Airways’ flights to and from Sofia operate with a brief stop in the Romanian capital, Bucharest.

The Sofia – Doha route is served with an Airbus A320 aircraft featuring up to 12 seats in Business Class and up to 132 seats in Economy. – TradeArabia News Service