Company Announced Plans to Keep to Schedule, Yesterday

Doha International Airport and Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Mr. Akbar Al Baker announced that Doha International Airport will remain open and that Qatar Airways will continue with its normal flight schedule, even should there be conflict in Iraq.

"Doha International Airport will remain open should conflict begin in Iraq," said Mr. Al Baker. "Qatar Airways will also continue with its normal schedule of flights to Europe, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East," he said.

Mr. Al Baker continued, "Qatar Airways will also continue to use Doha International Airport as its hub... I understand that, given the current tension between the US and Iraq, there is concern among travelling public which has forced other airlines and airports to revise their schedules. I want to assure people that Doha International Airport will remain open should there be any hostilities. I want to assure people that Qatar Airways will operate our flights as per schedule. I want to assure people that there will be no risk to our passengers in the event of any conflict in Iraq."

Approved routes:

"Qatar Airways will use air routes that are approved and published by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Mr. Baker said. "We will continue to use approved air routes over Iran to Europe. There are also contingency routes over Saudi Arabia that we have the option to use, that are safe and will circumvent any area of conflict."

Security is adequate.

"Doha International Airport (pictured) and Qatar Airways have always maintained high levels of security at Doha Airport, where we work closely with Government security agencies," the CEO assured reporters. "We have enhanced security at Doha International Airport. We are X-ray screening all hand luggage, all luggage and all cargo loaded onto Qatar Airways aircraft. We have also instituted other security measures to ensure the safety of all passengers travelling through Doha International Airport and upon Qatar Airways flights."

FMI: www.qatarairways.com