Qatar Airways has launched flights to Tokyo, Japan. The addition of Tokyo marks the airline’s 89th international destination and second in Japan, as the carrier already flies to Osaka. The launch of the new Tokyo flights comes ahead of Japan’s Golden Week holiday season.

“Tokyo has been a destination of choice for Qatar Airways for a very long time, and as the largest metropolitan area in the world, it represents an important feeder market into our growing international network,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker. “This is a momentous occasion for Qatar Airways.

I would like to offer my thanks to the Japanese government and officials at Narita International Airport for their support and assistance in facilitating the development of our newest route … The Japanese are among the world’s most travelled people and we are pleased that Qatar Airways can now extend its award-winning hospitality to the people of Tokyo and the surrounding area to our Doha hub and beyond.”

The new flights strengthen the relationship between the State of Qatar and Japan, with both countries having close bilateral ties and enjoying growing trade.

Qatar traded US$26.23 billion worth of oil, gas and other exports with Japan in 2008, contributing 11% of Japan’s total crude oil imports and almost 12% of Japan’s liquefied natural gas imports.

There are currently over 30 Japanese companies operating in Qatar, with the Japanese community in Doha growing substantially from less than 200 members six years ago to over 1,100 in 2009.

Qatar’s imports from Japan, including motor vehicles, totalled over US$2 billion in 2008 and have grown significantly over the past six years.

Qatar Airways serves Tokyo with an Airbus A330 in a three-class configuration.

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