QATAR: Qatar Airways Ban Lifted On Flights To USA

Qatar Airways has confirmed it has been approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to permit passengers to carry personal electronic items on board U.S.-bound flights, departing from its hub Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

The airline gained the exemption earlier today after U.S. officials inspected the security measures in full operation at Qatar’s state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport (HIA), an airport recently awarded five stars by Skytrax, the first airport in the Middle East to be bestowed with this recognition.

With the lifting of the electronics restrictions, passengers departing from HIA to all Qatar Airways’ U.S. destinations will be able to carry their personal electronic devices on board, and have uninterrupted use of them for business and leisure purposes throughout their flight.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: We are pleased to announce that the electronics ban has been lifted from Qatar Airways flights departing to all destinations in the U.S. Safety and security are always our highest priority. They are expressed throughout all of our corporate values, and must never be compromised.

The security measures in place in Doha allow us to continue to provide our renowned world-class service for all our passengers travelling to the U.S. We look forward to providing our passengers an even greater choice of U.S. destinations soon, with the addition of San Francisco to our expanding network, on board the most modern of aircraft including the Airbus A350 and our Qsuite retro-fitted Boeing 777 aircraft.

Qatar Airways has confirmed it has been approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to permit passengers to carry personal electronic items on board U.S.-bound flights, departing from its hub Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

The airline gained the exemption earlier today after U.S. officials inspected the security measures in full operation at Qatar’s state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport (HIA), an airport recently awarded five stars by Skytrax, the first airport in the Middle East to be bestowed with this recognition.

With the lifting of the electronics restrictions, passengers departing from HIA to all Qatar Airways’ U.S. destinations will be able to carry their personal electronic devices on board, and have uninterrupted use of them for business and leisure purposes throughout their flight.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: We are pleased to announce that the electronics ban has been lifted from Qatar Airways flights departing to all destinations in the U.S. Safety and security are always our highest priority. They are expressed throughout all of our corporate values, and must never be compromised.

The security measures in place in Doha allow us to continue to provide our renowned world-class service for all our passengers travelling to the U.S. We look forward to providing our passengers an even greater choice of U.S. destinations soon, with the addition of San Francisco to our expanding network, on board the most modern of aircraft including the Airbus A350 and our Qsuite retro-fitted Boeing 777 aircraft.

Meanwhile, As the Kareef season approaches the southern parts of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air, the national airline for the Sultanate of Oman, is catering for the increased demand by adding to its frequency and capacity between Muscat and Salalah.

This latest schedule development enabled as many Oman Air guests as possible to get away and enjoy Oman’s southern most region during the holiday period. During the Eid holiday period from the 23rd June to 2nd July Oman Air offered an additional 5,100 extra seats between Muscat and Salalah.

During the Khareef season (July and August), Oman Air will further increase the number of daily flights from nine to 13 departures daily. Capacity will increase by nearly 57% with 1,616 seats available daily, one way, compared to the standard 1,028 in the normal schedule.

The Khareef season, which begins every year on June 21 and ends on September 21, is considered to be one of the most important tourist seasons in the Gulf as the weather is much cooler than the rest of the region. Many locals, residents, and tourists, flock to Dhofar, sometimes referred to as Oman’s best kept secret, as it is the only region in the GCC where visitors can enjoy greenery, a forest-like environment and seasonal showers.

In 2016 Dhofar welcomed 653,000 visitors during Khareef and it is anticipated that this year figures could grow by as much as 20%, facilitated by the new flights and additional hotel accommodation now available in Salalah.

Deputy CEO & Chief Commercial Officer Abdulrahman Al Busaidy said: The increase in flights signifies our commitment to the citizens and residents of Oman as well as a growing number of international visitors who wish to enjoy the holiday season in Salalah along with their friends and relatives to experience the cool rains and unique beauty of the Khareef season.

Last year Oman Air offered eleven flights a day with a capacity increase of 15,000 seats compared to the previous year; an increase that was very well received by our guests. This year with 13 daily flights we will offer even more choice and will operate a mixture of fleet including the award winning A330 and the Dreamliner.

As the Kareef season approaches the southern parts of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air, the national airline for the Sultanate of Oman, is catering for the increased demand by adding to its frequency and capacity between Muscat and Salalah. This latest schedule development enabled as many Oman Air guests as possible to get away and enjoy Oman’s southern most region during the holiday period. During the Eid holiday period from the 23rd June to 2nd July Oman Air offered an additional 5,100 extra seats between Muscat and Salalah.

During the Khareef season (July and August), Oman Air will further increase the number of daily flights from nine to 13 departures daily. Capacity will increase by nearly 57% with 1,616 seats available daily, one way, compared to the standard 1,028 in the normal schedule. The Khareef season, which begins every year on June 21 and ends on September 21, is considered to be one of the most important tourist seasons in the Gulf as the weather is much cooler than the rest of the region.

Many locals, residents, and tourists, flock to Dhofar, sometimes referred to as Oman’s best kept secret, as it is the only region in the GCC where visitors can enjoy greenery, a forest-like environment and seasonal showers. In 2016 Dhofar welcomed 653,000 visitors during Khareef and it is anticipated that this year figures could grow by as much as 20%, facilitated by the new flights and additional hotel accommodation now available in Salalah.

Deputy CEO & Chief Commercial Officer Abdulrahman Al Busaidy said: The increase in flights signifies our commitment to the citizens and residents of Oman as well as a growing number of international visitors who wish to enjoy the holiday season in Salalah along with their friends and relatives to experience the cool rains and unique beauty of the Khareef season.

Last year Oman Air offered eleven flights a day with a capacity increase of 15,000 seats compared to the previous year; an increase that was very well received by our guests. This year with 13 daily flights we will offer even more choice and will operate a mixture of fleet including the award winning A330 and the Dreamliner.


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