The atmosphere was electric in Miami last week and it had nothing to do with the tense battle for the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. Nor was it because the city had just rejected a second bid by David Beckham to build a US $250 million football stadium on a stretch of waterfront overlooking Biscayne Bay.
The biggest buzz of the week was the arrival of Qatar Airways flight QR 777, which touched down at 17.20 at Miami International Airport (MIA) on the afternoon of June 10, becoming the first Middle Eastern airline to operate a direct flight to the city.
Miami became the sixth US destination served by the Doha-based airline, which is positioning the Doha-Miami service as the new gateway to the Caribbean, as well as providing direct access for business and leisure travel in both directions between Miami and Doha.
“Our aim is to bring the world closer together through a five-star unparalleled aviation experience, and we are particularly pleased that for the first time, Florida is being served from the Middle East market,” said Qatar Airway CEO, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker.
Al Baker thanked Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez for his support in bringing the airline to Miami: “Miami has always been a global city; a crossroads of commerce, art and culture. Mayor Gimenez has been a great ally in our efforts to bring Qatar Airways to Miami and we are proud to offer an additional boost to the local economy,” he said.
To mark the occasion in true Miami style, Qatar Airways threw a gala dinner at The St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, in which Gloria Estefan took to the stage and performed for visiting VIPs and dignitaries, including Mayor Gimenez.
The inaugural flight from Doha took off from the all-new Hamad International Airport, a state-of-the-art new facility that opened in Qatar last month. The focal point of the new airport is a 23-foot, US $6.8 million teddy bear sculpture created by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, reportedly acquired by the Qatari royal family at a Christie’s auction last year.
Passengers travelling with Qatar Airways to Miami can extend their journey throughout the Americas thanks to Qatar’s oneworld alliance partner, American Airlines, which flies onward from Miami to destinations in the Caribbean and Central and South America from the gateway.
Al Baker said the four-times-a-week service on a Boeing 777-200 would increase to a daily flight when the airline receives delayed deliveries of new aircraft.
The airline plans to launch its seventh US route to Dallas/Fort Worth on July 1.