By Rafiq Vayani
DOHA: Qatar today welcomed its first leisure charter flight from Yerevan, Armenia, at Hamad International Airport (HIA), marking an important milestone in the continued growth of inbound leisure tourism and the diversification of source markets.
Operated by FlyOne in partnership with Rustar Tour Operator, the service connects Yerevan (EVN) and Doha (DOH) with a weekly Airbus A320 operation. Running until 15 May 2027, the charter programme is expected to bring approximately 6,500 visitors from Armenia to Qatar over the contracted operating period.
The service is the first leisure charter flight to arrive in Qatar following the recent regional operational disruption, signalling a return to normal operations and renewed confidence in the destination among travellers, tourism partners and the wider aviation community.
To commemorate the inaugural arrival, Visit Qatar and HIA staff hosted a special welcome reception for passengers. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by airport representatives offering traditional Arabic coffee and dates, while waving Qatari and Armenian flags in celebration of the new connection between the two countries. Arriving visitors also received Visit Qatar gift bags, providing a warm introduction to Qatar’s renowned hospitality.
The launch reinforces Qatar’s position as a safe, welcoming and world-class destination, supported by a fully operational tourism, hospitality and aviation ecosystem that has continued working closely with international airline, travel trade and hospitality partners to deliver seamless visitor experiences. It also demonstrates the country’s readiness to welcome international visitors and highlights the continued appeal of Qatar as a leading leisure destination in the region.
The inaugural service is expected to support deeper tourism ties between Qatar and Armenia while providing a platform for future charter operations and potential scheduled air connectivity between the two markets.