Qatar Airways has expanded its operations in South-east Asia, by increasing frequencies and boosting aircraft capacity on routes in the region.

It has increased the frequency of its Kuala Lumpur-Doha service to 11 times weekly from daily previously, and now flies daily between Doha and Bali via Singapore. Prior to this, it served Bali via Kuala Lumpur four times a week.

The carrier has also started flying non-stop between Jakarta and Doha, instead of through Singapore, says Qatar.

In addition, it has increased the aircraft capacity on routes in the region. Flights from Singapore, Bali and selected flights from Kuala Lumpur are operated on Boeing 777 aircraft, says the carrier.

Qatar Boeing 777-200LR 
 © Boeing

"Qatar Airways' strategy is to expand its international network to key global destinations, served through our operational hub in Doha, while enhancing our existing services with more frequency and more capacity. The airline recognises the growth potential in the far east and we are confident of making further inroads into the market by growing these existing operations," says the airline's CEO Akbar Al Baker.

Qatar's plans in South-east Asia come shortly after it announced five new routes in the first half of 2010.

It plans to launch daily services between Doha and Tokyo via Osaka from 26 April, and daily services to Bangalore from 22 February.

From 30 March, Qatar will start flights between Doha and Copenhagen four times a week, and operate to Ankara four times a week from 5 April.

The carrier also plans to fly non-stop to Seoul from 28 March. Previously, it operated to Seoul via Osaka.

Qatar has not said which aircraft it plans to operate on the new routes.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news