Qatar ready to mix it with the big boys

Doha is ready to challenge the hub status of Dubai and Abu Dhabi with the growth of Qatar Airways beyond 2010.

Marwan Koleilat, the carrier's senior vice president East Asia and South West Pacific, delivered this message at the Aviation Outlook Asia conference at Singapore's Marina Bay Sands Resort.

Re-launched in 1997 with four leased aircraft and 15 routes, Qatar Airways now has 89 aircraft and flies to 93 destinations. It is not yet profitable, analysts say.

Koleilat said Qatar enjoyed a strategic geographical location linking east and west and would capitalize on new long-range aircraft to open new markets with a one-stop product.

Qatar Airways has more than 200 aircraft on order, including 60 Boeing 787s, 80 Airbus 350s and five A380s.

It is seen as a challenger in the region to the dominant Emirates and Etihad Airlines.

Qatar launched services to Phuket on October 12 and will add Hanoi on November 10.

By 2013, Qatar expects to be flying to 120 destinations in six continents, and will add two more destinations in Australia, where it currently has services between Melbourne and Doha.