Qatar Airways has inaugurated the airline’s fourth UK gateway with direct flights between Doha and Birmingham.
The airline will operate eight weekly services to Birmingham with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The inaugural flight touched down at sunrise on Wednesday and was greeted by a traditional water salute.
Qatar Airways chief commercial officer Dr Hugh Dunleavy, who travelled on board the inaugural flight with British ambassador to Qatar Ajay Sharma, was greeted at the arrival gate by Birmingham Airport CEO Paul Kehoe.
The addition of Birmingham marks the fourth UK gateway for the Doha-based carrier after London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker said, “We are delighted to commence service to Birmingham. This vibrant and economically powerful region represents an important addition to our worldwide network and is a testament to our commitment to the UK.
On his part, ambassador Sharma said: “I was delighted to be able to travel on the inaugural flight from Doha to Birmingham. The launch of this new route will open up further opportunities for both Qatar and the UK.”



Qatar Airways' inaugural flight being greeted with a traditional water salute after touching down at Birmingham.

To mark the occasion, officials and dignitaries, including Hamad al-Muftah - Qatar's deputy ambassador to the UK, Sharma, Dr Dunleavy, Richard Oliver - Qatar Airways country manager (UK and Ireland), Jonathan Harding - Qatar Airways senior vice-president (NSW Europe), and Kehoe cut a celebratory cake replicating Doha's Museum of Islamic Art.
Qatar Airways now operates 73 flights per week to the UK from Hamad International Airport, with 42 flights per week to London Heathrow, 16 to Manchester, seven to Edinburgh and eight to Birmingham, giving UK passengers access to more than 150 destinations worldwide.
Meanwhile, Kehoe said: “We are extremely excited to be welcoming Qatar Airways to Birmingham Airport. Connecting the economically vibrant West Midlands region with the rapidly developing capital city of Doha will be hugely beneficial to passengers at both ends of the route."
The Birmingham route is operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration, comprising 22 seats in business class and 232 in economy class.
Birmingham is the largest and most populous city in the UK outside of London and is situated in the West Midlands. “With eight flights a week, including two flights on Saturday, Qatar Airways recognises the growth and demand represented by this important region in the UK,” the airline said in a statement.
The weekly schedule is as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - Birmingham to Doha, departure at 8.55am and arrival at 5.35pm; Doha to Birmingham, departure at 1.30am and arrival at 6.50am.
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - Birmingham to Doha, departure at 4.20pm and arrival at 1am (next day); Doha to Birmingham, departure at 7am and arrival at 12.20pm.