By Manik Mehta, AJOTQATAR AIRWAYS ADDS HOUSTON While fleet expansion seems to have become the mantra for growth for most Gulf-based airlines, Qatar Airways seems to be in a hurry to push what is described in the Arab aviation circles as the “next phase of growth”. At a recent press conference in Berlin, Qatar Airways’ chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker unveiled plans to strengthen the airline’s presence in North America by adding Houston to its growing international network. Beginning November 10, Qatar Airways will start its thrice-weekly nonstop service from Doha to Houston deploying the B777-2000 LR aircraft. Subsequently, the frequency will increase to a daily service in December 2008, according to Al Baker. “This will be our third destination in the US, after New York and Washington DC,” Al Baker told the American Journal of Transportation. “Houston is home to natural oil resources and more than 5,000 energy-related businesses. Qatar, on the other hand, is home to the world’s third largest gas services and is the world’s leading exporter of gas-to-liquids fuel, also known as liquefied natural gas (LNG),” Al Baker explained when asked why his airline had chosen Houston as a destination. Describing his airline’s service to New York and Washington DC, started last year, as a “great success,” Al-Baker said that it was time to geographically spread out in the US. “We are now expanding in the southern half of the US during 2008,” he added. Besides expanding its international network – the airline added the South China city of Guangzhou to its network effective March 31 – the airline is also expanding its fleet. “Qatar Airways is committed to a growth strategy that will see our fleet of 60 aircraft increase to 70 by the end of the year and almost double to 110 planes by 2013,” he maintained. The airline also wants to aggressively push its cargo business. Qatar Airways Cargo added a third freighter aircraft to its freighter fleet of A300-600F last August, and launched seven new cargo destinations. The third freighter will increase the cargo carrier’s number of all-cargo destinations worldwide from 9 to 16 cities. A refurbished and increased cargo section at Doha International Airport, which includes a new import and export warehouse and cold storage and freezer facilities, would strengthen the airline’s integrated cargo operations. Al-Baker outlined his airline’s “clear strategy” to build up cargo operations in key markets around the world using Doha as the central hub. In the coming two years, Qatar Airways would further increase its cargo operations by adding more A300 freighters. The first of the two new Boeing 777 freighters is expected to be delivered during the summer of 2009. EMIRATES FLIGHTS TO LOS ANGELES Dubai-based Emirates Airline is also forging ahead with plans to fly to new destinations and expand its fleet. Its maiden nonstop service from Dubai to Los Angeles starts on September 1, 2008 with a Boeing 777-200LR for the route. Emirates will have capacity to transport up to 10 tons of cargo from Los Angeles. While recently making the announcement, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and the Emirates Group, said that Los Angeles represented Emirate’s “commitment to the American market”. “We have evaluated the U.S. for expansion opportunities and have carefully examined our existing services in Houston and New York, both of which have been very successful,” he added. To sustain its growing services, the airline will expand its current fleet. Emirates’ Keith A. Longstaff, senior vice president for commercial operations, confirmed in a recent interview with this correspondent in Berlin that the airline had already placed orders for aircraft of the A350, A380 and B747-F type with a total value of $ 60 billion. “These aircraft belong to the latest generation … they are fuel efficient and environment-friendly,” Longstaff claimed. Emirates will also be flying e