Pattaya marks airline’s fifth destination to Thailand
Qatar Airways’ first direct non-stop flight to the beautiful holiday destination of Pattaya touched down at U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport on Monday 29 January 2018, inaugurating the airline’s newest Thai destination. This celebration marks Qatar Airways’ fifth route to the Southeast Asian country, and is the first new route launch for Qatar Airways in 2018, as the airline continues the rapid expansion of its global route network.
Flight QR828 touched down at U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport at 06:30am and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. His Excellency Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Thai Ambassador to the State of Qatar, travelled on board the inaugural flight with Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, Marwan Koleilat, from the airline’s five-star hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA).
Upon arrival in Pattaya, the VIP delegation was greeted by various officials including Maj. Gen Anan Charoenchasri, Mayor of Pattaya City, and a welcome ceremony attended by airport and government officials, together with local dignitaries took place.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to be the first Middle East airline to offer direct flights to Pattaya. Having also launched flights to Chiang Mai in Thailand just last month and soon to launch our sixth-daily flight to Bangkok, this new route reinforces and deepens the strong ties that exist between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Thailand.
“Thailand is continuing to grow in popularity among our passengers. We launched this new route in direct response to increasing demand from our passengers, and we are proud to be able to fly them on our aircraft to experience our unrivalled five-star service. We are excited to offer our travellers more destinations to choose from in the Far East, and to connect the people of Pattaya to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of more than 150 destinations around the world.”
Director of U-Tapao Airport Authority, Rear Admiral Luechai Sri-Eamgool, said: “We warmly welcome Qatar Airways’ first direct flight from Doha […] U-Tapao Airport is a cornerstone of the Eastern Economic Corridor that the Thailand government is aggressively developing. These new direct flights will open up further seamless air connectivity for tourists and business visitors looking to visit Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard, further boosting our tourism industry and also aid in the development of foreign investments into U-Tapao Pattaya.”
Qatar Airways’ new four-times-a-week service to Pattaya offers 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
