In a bid to expand its presence in Turkey, Qatar Airways has launched direct flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. The new flight will commence with a four-times-weekly service. The route will be operated by an Airbus A320, with 12 seats in business class and 132 in economy will be the airline’s third route in addition to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and Ankara. With this new flight, number of flights to Turkey rises from 14 to 18 frequencies each week. The inaugural flight carried Qatar Airways chief commercial officer, Marwan Koleilat who was welcomed by airport officials and dignitaries including Gökhan Bu?day, chief executive officer of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Ambassador of Qatar to Turkey, HE Salem Mubarak Al-Shafi. Gökhan Bu?day, chief executive officer of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, said: “The new route is expected to further strengthen Qatar and Turkey’s strong business and commercial links. The link will also help to meet increasing tourist demand, driven by a recent upward surge in Turkey’s tourism industry.” The flights will depart on Mondays and Saturdays. The flight QR243 will depart Doha at 1355 hrs, arriving in Sabiha Airport at 1810 hrs; while the QR244 will depart Sabiha Airport at 1905 hrs, arriving in Doha at 2300 hrs. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, flight QR243 will depart Doha at 1320 hrs, arriving at Sabiha Airport at 1735 hrs. While flight QR244 will depart Sabiha Airport at 1835 hrs, arriving in Doha at 2230 hrs. Source: Travel Daily