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Qatar Airways is now offering live digital satellite TV beamed direct to every passenger on their individual seatback TV systems at 35,000 feet.

Qatar Airways has introduced the system offering a multitude of European and Middle East TV channels on five of its fleet of Airbus A330 long-haul aircraft.

By the end of the year, 14 aircraft, including the airline’s brand new Airbus A340-600 which enters service this month, will be equipped with the new Rockwell Collins Tailwind 560 satellite television system. Distributed through Showtime Arabia, via the Rockwell Collins system, a further 10 aircraft will be equipped with the service during 2007.

Live television is initially being made available on flights within and between the Middle East and Europe.

The enhancements enable passengers to watch live news, information, sport and other television programmes from selected networks beamed live direct to their individual seatback TV screens.

Fully independent personalized television viewing allows each passenger to select from a suite of premium European and Arabic-language TV channels. The system’s multi-directional antenna allows passengers to enjoy uninterrupted entertainment as their flights pass from Middle Eastern into European airspace.

In the Middle East, passengers have access to Al Jazeera, BBC World, EuroNews, CNN International, TV5, EuroSport News, MBC and Disney Channel. Within the European region, channels available are Al Jazeera, BBC World, EuroNews, CNN International, TV5, EuroSport 2, Future TV and Bloomberg.

National Aviation Services (NAS), the leading airline ground service company in Kuwait, signed an agreement with Qatar Airways yesterday.
Officials held a signing ceremony in the airport’s Zone 3. NAS CEO Engineer Naji Al-Ajmi, Qatar Airways Area Manager Mohammed Al-Jumairi and Qatar Airways Station Manager Nasser Al-Muhaisen attended the ceremony.
Under the agreement, NAS will provide Qatar Airways with passenger and cargo services, as well as ramp handling at the Kuwait International Airport. NAS will also provide maintenance services, re-fuelling, and pre-flight safety checks.
“NAS has distinguished itself with its exceptional punctuality and quality services,” said NAS Chief Executive Officer Naji Al-Ajmi. “Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world. They have exceptionally high standards and it is certainly a feather to our cap to work with them. We to look forward to improving their operations in Kuwait even further.”
Business and first class passengers on Qatar Airways will now have access to NAS’s Meet & Assist service and the Pearl Lounge. “Customer satisfaction and ‘Total Commitment to Quality’ are the hallmarks of any NAS service. We are committed to providing Qatar Airways’ passengers with a more relaxed and stress-free airport experience. We will continue to add more services to enhance customers’ overall experience,” said Al-Ajmi.
NAS was the first private ground service company at Kuwait International Airport. It provides core airline services like ground support, passenger handling, cargo, maintenance and a number of other services.

Qatar Airways are set to open the world’s only dedicated First and Business Class terminal this summer, at Doha International Airport.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature a spa, jacuzzi and sauna for passengers to relax and unwind before their flight, massage treatments, an upmarket duty free plaza, free internet access, and dedicated gates to speed up immigration formalities.

Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “The new terminal for premium passengers will be a big boost for Qatar Airways. It is the first of its kind, not only in the Middle East, but anywhere in the world.”

Mr Al Baker added: “Qatar Airways prides itself on providing passengers with the best possible service and hospitality. The new terminal goes one step further by exceeding passenger’s expectations.”

The new terminal development is part of a raft of improvements currently taking place at the rapidly expanding Doha International, including bigger check-in facilities, increased parking, and more gates.

Qatar Airways passengers who fly first class from Istanbul to Doha until Sept. 30, 2006 will earn 4,000 bonus qualifying miles (Qmiles) on their very first trip. The bonus Qmiles they earn will be enough for a free ticket from Doha to any destination within the Gulf Co-op Council (GCC).

Passengers can redeem their Qmiles for free flights and upgrades on Qatar Airways or for free flights with any of its partner airlines including bmi, Asiana Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and All Nippon Airways.

This offer is valid only for Qatar Airways Privilege Club members residing in Turkey. To be eligible for bonus Qmiles, flights must be taken any time through Sept. 30, 2006 from Istanbul to Doha. Offer valid for bookings in F, P and A class only. Bonus Qmiles can be earned only on the first flight taken in First Class during the offer period.

Austria is a year-round holiday destination, with some of the most impressive and spectacular architecture in Europe and an unrivalled musical tradition. Keeping in mind the rising popularity of Austria as a tourist destination, Qatar Airways Holidays has released a series of round-tour circuits in Austria in association with their local ground partner.

These exclusive packages provide excellent value for money for the tourists from Oman. For example, eight days itinerary featuring Vienna and Salzburg costs only RO479 per person, another eight days circuit featuring Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck starts with RO489. Or one can even combine Munich-Germany in one of the eight days circuits and costing only RO509. In addition to the above, there are other attractive itineraries for 12 days and 15 days featuring Vienna, Gastien Valley and Zell Am See.

The package fares will be inclusive of economy class airfare on Qatar Airways to Vienna, accommodation on sharing basis on four-star properties, daily breakfast, arrival transfer, city tour in Vienna and Salzburg as well including second-class round-trip train tickets between cities etc.

In addition to the above, Qatar Airways Holidays also has stay-a-while packages to Austria. Four-day city package to Vienna costs only RO266 per adult and RO199 per child and it includes economy class air ticket from Muscat to Vienna and back, accommodation in a four-star hotel on sharing basis, with daily breakfast etc.

Austria is blessed with natural beauty and its cityscapes are truly spectacular. The cities have plenty to engage tourists. Vienna is the capital, one of the beautiful cities in Europe, hub of the country’s musical life and blessed with beautiful buildings.

Music, art and architecture and breathtaking sceneries makes Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, a must-see tourist place. Innsbruck is another beautiful tourist location in Austria bestowed with snow-capped peaks frame and fascinating historic buildings.