OREANDA-NEWS. Qatar Airways is continuing its 2015 expansion programme across Europe with the launch of new direct flights from Doha to Sofia from March, a destination currently served by the airline via Bucharest.

The launch of direct flights to Sofia will add an additional level of choice and more options for passengers when travelling to any of the 146 destinations around the globe served by Qatar Airways, from the state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport. Likewise, those passengers travelling from Asia-Pacific and Africa now have even more connection opportunities.

Frequencies are also increasing from Doha to Ankara, which will be served by a six weekly flight connection instead of five from March 1, while capacity will increase to Zagreb with an additional direct flight per week, increasing the frequency from four to five direct flights weekly.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: "Qatar Airways is expanding rapidly, not only in terms of new destinations and our network offering, but also with the service we offer. Complementing our five-star service in the skies are our transfer facilities at the newly unveiled state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport, coupled with the experience of flying on board one of the youngest fleets in the industry."

The further expansion by the award-winning airline into Eastern Europe comes shortly after the news that Qatar Airways is increasing the frequency on its Doha to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport to a double-daily service as of March 29, 2015. Qatar Airways currently operates to three destinations in Turkey; Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Istanbul Ataturk Airport and Ankara.

With the launch of these additional frequencies, passengers from the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa can now take advantage of additional connections to all these European cities via Doha.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 18 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of 146 aircraft to 146 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.