Qatar Airways has announced its decision to launch thrice a week service to Chengdu in China. The new flights are set to commence from September 3, 2013. The airline, which operates out of its hub in Doha has arrived at this decision in the wake of high passenger demand. The carrier, which is synonymous with luxury will use the Airbus A330 on this route. These aircrafts comprise 284 seats of which 248 will be offered in economy class and 36 will be offered in business class.

The airline said it is trying to tap business and leisure travelers from China who have interests in other countries like France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. The airline understands the potential of 72-hours transit visa offered at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and aims to capitalize on this opportunity by offering three flights to the city per week. These visas are available for 45 countries. Passengers who wish to fly to the city have an option to book Qatar Airways tickets on one of its three flights departing each week.

Over the years, China has turned into one of the key markets for the airline. It has been trying to penetrate into the Chinese aviation market and expand its presence across the country. Chengdu is one of the major cities located in the Sichuan Province in the western part of the country. This city is believed to be another entry point into China. Apart from Chengdu, the airline offers flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. The airline is expanding its international network at a fast pace.