Qatar Airways will operate flights between Dublin and Doha in 2017, ending speculation that the Middle Eastern carrier was considering providing the service for the Irish capital.
Aer Lingus chief executive Stephen Kavanagh had commented earlier this year that if his airline did not start flying to the Qatari capital soon, Qatar Airways would.
Qatar Airways owns 20% of Aer Lingus parent company IAG, which also boasts the likes of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.
Dublin Airport MD Vincent Harrison said today:
"We are delighted that Qatar Airways has confirmed its plans to launch a new service to Dublin.
"This new service will offer passengers an additional option into the Middle East and also open up a wide range of convenient connections via Doha. It will also help grow inbound tourism to Ireland, as Qatar Airways will be able to sell Dublin and Ireland through its extensive route network."
Following Qatar Airways' Augst announcement that it was incrasing its stake in IAG, the two further strengthened its close relationship with a September agreement to cooperate on schedules and ticket prices.
The airlines confirmed they would now code-share, offering tickets under both's flight codes for all non-stop flights operating between the UK and Doha, as well as connecting services to destination in Britain, continental Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
IAG's chief executive, Dubliner Willie Walsh, said at the time that he was "delighted" with the development:
“This agreement will benefit customers by giving them access to more destinations through Qatar Airways’ extensive network.
"It will also allow us to provide easier journeys with better aligned schedules, more frequencies and improved flight transfers.”
