Cardiff International Airport will see its maiden intercontinental services to the Middle East during 2018.
Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akbar al Baker said in a statement the service, whose launch date was not revealed, would stimulate the Wales and south west England tourism markets through increased global arrivals delivered via the carrier's Doha Hamad International hub.
“This is a ‘game changing’ announcement for Cardiff Airport and for Wales," Roger Lewis, Chairman at Cardiff Airport, said. "The benefits of this relationship will be transformational for both businesses and passengers across the south west of England and for Wales."
According to the ch-aviation route database, Cardiff's intercontinental services are limited to seasonal flights to Orlando International operated by leisure specialist Thomas Cook Airlines UK (Manchester International). The rest of the Welsh capital's connections are to regional European destinations extending as far afield as Cyprus and Turkey.
