Doha, Qatar: Japan Airlines is set to inaugurate its daily direct flights between Tokyo and Doha starting March 31, as revealed by the Ambassador of Japan to Qatar, H E Satoshi Maeda, at a recent press briefing.
This new nonstop daily service, linking Tokyo (Haneda) and Doha, marks the first direct flight to the Middle East region operated by a Japanese airline.
"Our national carrier will commence daily direct flights between Tokyo and Doha from March 31, 2024. This marks the first direct connection to the Middle East by a Japanese airline. It is anticipated to bolster tourism, economic ties, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. Tourism and people-to-people exchanges were key focal points during the visit of Japan's Prime Minister Fumino Kishida to Qatar and his meeting with H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani," stated Ambassador Maeda.
Japan Airlines emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, highlighting the seamless connectivity facilitated through its partnership with Qatar Airways, a fellow member of the oneworld alliance.
"Via Qatar Airways, a fellow member of the oneworld alliance, passengers can seamlessly connect from the Middle East, Africa, and South America to Japan through Doha, offering convenient travel options and an expanded international flight network."
The flight schedule for this new route is as follows: Departure from Doha to Haneda at 7:15 am, arriving at 23:55 (operating daily from March 31); Departure from Haneda to Doha at 22:50, arriving at 4:40+1 (operating daily from April 1).
Operated with Boeing 787-9 aircraft, the service will be a codeshare operation with Qatar Airways.
Moreover, the existing Doha-Tokyo flight operated by Qatar Airways will remain available as a codeshare flight.
Tickets for the inaugural flights are now open for booking through Japan Airlines' official website, jal.co.jp. Alongside providing convenient travel options, Japan Airlines has curated a list of recommended sightseeing spots in Doha, including Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, and The Pearl-Qatar.
In a related update, Qatar Airways has resumed its services to Osaka, offering a non-stop daily flight between Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the new route enhances connectivity between Qatar and Japan. Through their codeshare partnership, Qatar Airways offers seamless domestic connectivity to 34 codeshare destinations in Japan, further strengthening the ties between the two carriers.
Ambassador Maeda further stated, "Last year, Japan and Qatar signed an agreement for visa waiver for Qatar’s ordinary passport holders, and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) launched an important initiative called 'Japan Travel House' in Qatar in October 2023 as part of Japan’s efforts to boost inbound tourism from Qatar to Japan."