Perth welcomes world's leading airline

• Qatar Airways inaugural flight touches down at Perth Airport

• Named 2011 Skytrax Airline of the Year

• New Doha-Perth service three times a week

The inaugural Doha to Perth flight by Qatar Airways touched down at Perth International Airport late this afternoon.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames, who was at the airport to welcome the flight, said it was a milestone moment for Western Australia's visitor economy.

"I can't overstate the significance of Qatar Airways, the reigning Skytrax Airline of the Year, choosing Perth as its second Australian destination, after Melbourne," Dr Hames said.

"It's a tribute to Western Australia's growing reputation as an extraordinary tourist destination and as a business and resources hub."

The new Doha-Perth service will initially operate three times a week, but Qatar Airways has flagged moving to daily services by the end of the year.

At this afternoon's welcoming ceremony at Perth Airport, the Minister paid tribute to Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker and the other senior airline executives who were passengers on the inaugural flight.

"Qatar Airways is currently the most progressive airline in the world with an aggressive expansion program, and one of only five airlines in the world given a five-star rating," he said.

"Its international network of more than 110 destinations provides WA with a new level of connectivity to the world, and significantly with the State's core European markets.

"If you look at a world map Doha is perfectly positioned as an international hub, and these flights will make it easier for many passengers wanting to come to WA."

      Fact File

• Qatar Airways becomes the 17th international airline to service Perth

• For more information about Qatar Airways go to http://www.qatarairways.com

Minister's office - 6552 5300