On 19 November 2021 Qatar Airways opened its first direct service between Doha and Almaty. As Assistant to the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Qatar, on the Ambassador's instruction I flew on the inaugural Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Almaty and joined the welcome ceremony in Almaty.
The ceremony at Almaty airport brought together Qatar's Ambassador to Kazakhstan, the airline's regional leadership, Kazakhstan's civil aviation authority and the airport's management. The business forum at The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty on 19–20 November turned a new route into a conversation about trade, tourism and cargo.
A direct flight is more than convenience. It shortens the distance for investors, for perishable exports and for people who want to meet in person before they sign anything. Three months earlier I had been in the room when a Kazakh government delegation discussed cargo rates for perishable exports with Qatar Airways.
Hamad International Airport before departure