Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker hosted a press conference on April 11 at the Ritz Carlton hotel, to mark the recently-inaugurated service from Boston Logan International Airport to the airline's hub in Doha, Qatar.

Qatar Airways' service to Boston, which commenced on March 16, is operated non-stop daily with the state-of-the-art Airbus A350. The airline was the global launch customer of the aircraft, and operates the A350 to Munich, Philadelphia, Singapore, and will start operating to Adelaide in Australia from next month. There are currently eight Airbus A350s in the fleet, with a further 72 to be delivered.

Al Baker said: "We have introduced the world's newest aircraft to Boston and look forward to providing all of our passengers on this route with a memorable journey that provides a superior inflight experience."

"Boston is a key city for business and leisure travellers and total comfort and hospitality is point of focus, in particular as the US market means that our passengers are travelling long- and ultra-long haul. Our entire customer experience is focused on the details, on all aircraft types. Qatar Airways has the youngest international fleet in the world, averaging just five years old, and our experience is second to none," he added

"We are pleased Qatar Airways is coming to Boston. This is yet another affirmation of the importance of the regional economy to the global economy," said Ed Freni, Massport's director of aviation. "People from around the world come here for education, for health care, for business and for fun and we are proud that Logan Airport is New England's gateway to the world."

Since the commencement of services to Boston, the airline has carried travellers to destinations all across its route map, with passengers mainly connecting onwards to the Gulf, Middle East, Asia, the Indian subcontinent and Africa regions.

The route has indicated success within weeks of operation, highlighting the need for long-haul travel options to emerging and mature business and leisure markets such as Colombo, Delhi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, and Singapore among others.

Qatar Airways, the world's third largest cargo operator, has also commenced daily cargo service between Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston and its global cargo network of more than 150 destinations. Currently the airline operates six cargo destinations to the US: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles. - TradeArabia News Service