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Qatar Airways, the national flag carrier of Qatar, has rounded off its route expansion in China after launching new flights to Chongqing and increasing flight frequency to Beijing and Hong Kong, Chongqing Daily reported, citing Akbar ALBaker, Qatar Airways' CEO at a press conference held on Dec.8.

The Doha-based carrier launched non-stop scheduled services between Doha and Chongqing in southwest China on Nov. 28, welcomed by citizens in Chongqing and the neighboring cities in less than half a month.

Akbar ALBaker said at the conference that Qatar Airways has rounded off its route expansion in China after launching new flights to Chongqing and increasing flight frequency to Beijing and Hong Kong. The airline will not only increase the flight frequency on the Chongqing-Doha route, but also launch regular cargo services between the two cities.

In 2011, except for launching the Chongqing-Doha service, Qatar Airways has also increased flights to Beijing and shanghai, bringing the number of flights between the two countries to 35 per week.

Chongqing is the carrier's fifth Chinese gateway. Currently, the Chongqing-Doha flights are offered three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with a passenger load factor over 75%.

The reason they selected Chongqing is that the city is an economic center in western China with large industrial base and vast market and deserves more sufficient international air access, said Akbar ALBaker.

The Chongqing-Doha service is expected to increase to six flights per week after six months' probation. "Currently, we have morning flights. We will probably add noon services in the future." It is much more likely to start scheduled cargo flights between the two cities.