Qatar Airways launches flights from Doha to Izmir

By Yusuf Sahbaz

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - Qatar Airways made its first direct flight from the capital Doha to Turkey's Aegean city of Izmir on Thursday.

The carrier will operate three flights per week between Doha's Hamad International Airport and Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.

In a ceremony marking the first flight, 95 passengers who arrived at Adnan Menderes Airport were welcomed with flowers.

Fikret Ozer, Turkey's ambassador to Qatar, said launching flights between Doha and Izmir is important.

"This launching will be a new door for Qatar-Turkey relations. Because of these flights, our exports to Qatar will increase," he noted during the ceremony.

Qatar's direct and indirect investments in Turkey have reached $20 billion, he added.

Sylvain Bosc, Qatar Airways senior vice president for Europe, said Izmir is the seventh flight point of the Qatari carrier in Turkey.

These flights create new opportunities for investment and tourism, he added.

*Writing by Gokhan Ergocun from Istanbul