Qatar Airways is finding more uses for its Airbus A320 fleet. The airline is adding a new Egyptian route using the narrowbody while resuming services to two more destinations. The resumed routes are to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The routes come as Qatar Airways continues to rebuild and expand its network as the industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Around the world, airlines have been busy rebuilding in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some, this process has been more arduous than for others. Qatar Airways had a benefit entering the recovery period. It was the only one of the three Middle East giants not to suspend flights entirely at the height of the pandemic.

Egyptian expansion

Today, Qatar Airways revealed plans to up its flights to Egypt with new routes, returning destinations, and increased frequencies. As far as new flights go, the airline will be adding a new route to Sharm El-Sheikh. A twice-weekly service will be operated by the airline's A320 fleet from December 3rd. On Tuesday and Friday, the following service will operate,

  • Doha (DOH) to Sharm El-Sheikh (SSH) QR1311 departs: 09:00 arrives: 10:45
  • Sharm El-Sheikh (SSH) to Doha (DOH) QR1312 departs: 13:15 arrives: 17:30
Qatar Airways, Egypt, Airbus A320
By early December, Qatar Airways will offer four routes to Egypt. Photo: Cirium

The airline is also seeking to resurrect its connection to Luxor. This route is set to start on November 23rd and will operate four times a week. Like the service to Sharm El-Sheikh, it will be performed by the Airbus A320. On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the following services will run,

  • Doha (DOH) to Luxor (LXR) QR1321 departs: 08:25 arrives: 11:00
  • Luxor (LXR) to Doha (DOH) QR1322 departs: 12:10 arrives: 16:05

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In addition to these routes not currently served, the airline is also looking to up capacity on a current route. From tomorrow (October 1st), the airline will be operating three flights a day to the country's capital city, Cairo. Once all frequencies are launched, the airline will operate 34 weekly flights to the country, with flights also serving Alexandria.

Another A320 flight to Saudi Arabia

Qatar isn't just sending the A320 to Egypt. The airline also revealed that it would be resuming flights to Medina in Saudi Arabia with the narrowbody jet. Like the Cario frequency increase, the airline will restore the route tomorrow. Flights will depart on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday as follows,

  • Doha (DOH) to Medina (MED) QR1174 departs: 01:00 arrives: 03:15
  • Medina (MED) to Doha (DOH) QR1175 departs: 04:15 arrives: 06:25
Qatar Airways, Egypt, Airbus A320
Tomorrow, the A320 will also return to Medina, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Qatar Airways

Unlike the typical layout found on European A320s, Qatar Airways offers a little more to look forward to on its narrowbody routes. While the jets have 132 economy class seats, they also have 12 first class seats towards the front of the aircraft.

Qatar Airways has already made huge strides when it comes to restoring its pre-pandemic network. The carrier is presently serving more than 140 global destinations from South America to Asia and Oceania.

What do you make of Qatar Airways' Airbus A320 expansion? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!