Qatar Airways plans to expand internationally next year by launching flights from its Doha hub to Tokyo, Bengaluru and Ankara.

They will join the airline's growing network over eight weeks from February.

India’s largest technology hub of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) will have daily flights from February, taking Qatar's Indian services up to 71 a week spread across 11 cities.

In April, the Turkish capital Ankara will be added to the carrier's daily flights to Istanbul, and at the end of that month, a daily Tokyo via Osaka will be introduced.
Seoul, which is currently served via Osaka, will become a non-stop direct service from the end of March.

Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker says the route expansion is indicative of the airline’s long-term strategy to develop its international network. It presently sends its fleet of 75 aircraft to 85 cities across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, the Far East, North America and Australasia, with plans to top 120 destinations worldwide by 2013.

"While airlines globally are retrenching, cutting capacity, trimming staff, parking planes or cancelling aircraft orders, Qatar Airways is doing exactly the opposite," says Al Baker.

"Tokyo has been on our wish list of destinations for several years. It is only now that we can serve Tokyo because of new traffic rights and slot availability at Narita International Airport.

"Our new Bengaluru services follow our launch of flights to Goa and Amritsar, further cementing Qatar Airways’ position in the Indian market. India is one of our most important markets ... and increasing air links between the two countries is of paramount importance.

"And with four flights a week to Ankara, Qatar Airways will significantly increase capacity to Turkey."

Al Baker says the airline's planning department is working actively to identify new route opportunities worldwide. Meanwhile, more than one new aircraft joins its fleet every month.

"Tokyo, Bengaluru and Ankara are examples of our confidence in deploying aircraft to exciting destinations. The fact we are launching three routes within the space of eight weeks is indicative of how serious we are in being a key player in the global airline industry despite the current economic conditions."

Qatar Airways will have a fleet of 120 aircraft by 2013. The airline has ordered 80 Airbus A350s, 24 Airbus A320 family of aircraft, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of 777s having started in November 2007. There are orders for more than 220 jets worth more than US$40 billion and has five twin-deck Airbus A380 super jumbos scheduled for delivery from 2012, by which time the New Doha International Airport will be open.