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Qatar Airways targets Italy as borders reopen

Qatar Airways is raising frequency on selected European routes with an emphasis on Italy as the country reopens borders to tourists following Covid-19 lockdown.

Venice will become the third Italian destination to see flights from Doha resume on July 15.

This will follow increased flights to daily services to Milan, Rome and Dublin from June 13.

The carrier expects the additional flights to provide further connectivity via its Hamad international airport hub to and from Asia-Pacific destinations.

Qatar Airway continues to operate 21 weekly flights to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, for example.

Three flights a week to Venice will be operated Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with 22 business class seats and 232 in economy.

The airline is implementing several changes, including the introduction of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for cabin crew on board.

A modified in-flight service aims to reduce interactions between passengers and the crew.

Cabin crew have already been wearing PPE during flights for a number of weeks, including gloves and face masks.

Passengers will also be required to wear face coverings, with the carrier recommending travellers bring their own for fit and comfort purposes, according to the airline.

Chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “Throughout this crisis, our focus has been on helping to take people home and transporting medical aid and essential supplies to impacted regions.

“The resumption of services to Venice is a major milestone not just for our airline but also for the global tourism industry, indicating the start of the gradual return of international leisure travel.

“We look forward to supporting the many businesses in Venice that rely on international tourism and expanding these flights as demand grows.”

He added: “During this crisis, we have become the largest carrier flying over 50 million kilometres to repatriate over 1.8 million passengers on over 15,000 flights.

“This has enabled us to accumulate unrivalled experience of how to safely and reliably carry passengers during these uncertain times.

“Our wide network of flights during these challenging times has ensured we have kept up to date with the latest in international airport procedures and implemented the most advanced safety and hygiene measures on board our aircraft and in Hamad international airport.

“We have been the airline passengers can rely on during this crisis and we will continue to ensure the safest and most reliable experience for our passengers as global travel recovers.”

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