Qatar Airways launches direct flights to Ras Al Khaimah

Operating daily, QR1120 will depart Doha’s Hamad International Airport at 20:15 hours and arrive at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport at 22.30 hours. The return flight QR1121 will depart at 23:30 hours and arrive in Doha at 23:45 hours. 

The UAE is a market that is strong and full of confidence,” said Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker: “Today, Qatar Airways enjoys a robust operation in the UAE with 98 flights a week to Dubai, 28 flights a week to Dubai World Central, 42 flights a week to Abu Dhabi and 21 flights a week to Sharjah. Now with the addition of seven weekly flights to Ras Al Khaimah, Qatar Airways will have a total of 196 weekly flights from Doha to the UAE.” 

Having launched Sharjah and Dubai World Central in March 2014 and with the announcement to launch Ras Al Khaimah in October this year, Qatar Airways is significantly increasing its operations to the UAE as a result of growing demand for more capacity in and out of the country. 

Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport said: “We are delighted to welcome Qatar Airways to the network of airlines operating at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. Ras Al Khaimah is a global destination for both tourism and commerce and the new daily Qatar Airways QR1120 flight will service up to 400,000 passengers travelling in and out of the Emirate on an annual basis from October.” 

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Qatar Airways will be putting immense pressure on Air Arabia when it starts operations to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) later this year. 

“RAK has already seen RAK Airways try and fail to carve out a niche, but Air Arabia's presence will be tested as well. Given the wide breadth of passenger demand out of Doha, particularly to the UAE, RAK presents a key opportunity for Qatar Airways to develop even more strong connection options given its size and growing fleet. 

“And with the earlier announcement or Qatar Airways establishing a shuttle service between Dubai and Doha, the airline will look to cement its position with services to both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airports, particularly as Emirates and flydubai do not yet operate out of the latter airport.”

Ras Al Khaimah, which is the northern-most Emirate of the UAE, is located approximately 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport and offers travellers an even wider variety of options when they are looking to reach Dubai. With a wide range of activities covering water sports, sailing cruises, desert camps, golf courses and mountain adventures, the destination enables fun-filled stopovers as well as extended holidays. 

Operating an Airbus A320 on the Ras Al Khaimah route, passengers from key markets in Europe, the Americas and the GCC region will have increased availability of flights to the UAE when transiting via Doha.