Qatar Airways is introducing 25% larger meals in economy class on its Cardiff to Doha route.
Its new branded ‘quisine’ offer is being phased across its network, with the airline’s scheduled daily route from Cardiff Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha the first.
The airline said its increased food portions will focus on the use of local, fresh and healthy ingredients that are in season.
Meals will also feature individually wrapped warm bread and an individual bottle of water.
Corporate sales manager for the airline in the UK, Faisal Al-Khater, said: “Wales and Cardiff is the first airport where we are going to be launching our brand new economy class not just product, but actually our meals with an increased size of around 25%.
“Rest assured this isn’t because the guys at the top of Qatar Airways believe the Welsh have large appetites, it is because it is a statement piece and we are looking to make this a long-term option.”
Mr Al-Khater, speaking at the annual CBI Wales lunch event, added: “There couldn’t be a more apt time for nations and organisations to build strong bonds and ties across the world, and as an airline, this is what we do. Which is why, just over a year ago, we launched our Cardiff service with seven flights a week connecting to our 160 destinations, which is pretty impressive.
"We have around $70bn worth of aircraft on order, which means that every 10 days we are receiving a new aircraft, which is incredible.
“For the UK and Ireland at peak time this summer we will have over a 100 flights a week. As a Qatari this gives me immense pride to see this. Back in 1998 we probably had around four flights a week from the UK, so this is a remarkable achievement from a tiny nation with rather big ambitions.”
Passenger numbers
The Cardiff to Doha route was launched in May last year. According to latest UK airport passenger figures from the Civil Aviation Authority in March it handled 6,106 passengers, 5,435 in February and in January 6,614.
From May to December last year it handled just over 55,000 passengers. For the first 11 months the total was around 73,000. While depending on April’s number, based on the average for the preceding 11 months, the route would have achieved a passenger number in the region of 80,000 in its first year, which equates to an occupancy rate of around 55%.
Based on five flights a week in the winter season and daily in the summer season, the route has a total annual passenger capacity of 150,000,
Both the airline and the airport have not disclosed what the target passenger number level was in the first year.
A 787 Dreamliner aircraft, that can carry just over 250 passengers, is used on the route.
