Qatar Airways has launched a new direct service between Dublin and Doha.

The airline's group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, was in the capital Wednesday to host a gala dinner to mark the occasion.

Mr Al Baker said the airline is committed to bringing more visitors to Dublin and boosting tourism for its neighbouring cities.

The new route will also give Irish people connections to more than 150 destinations on the airline’s global network via its hub in Doha.

Mr Al Baker said: "Dublin has long been on our list of destinations to add to our route map, and I am proud that we are here today to celebrate this important milestone in the history of our airline.

"We are here to serve the people of Ireland with a world-class service connecting them to business and leisure destinations on our global network.

"It is also our pleasure to promote Ireland as a tourism destination to our loyal passengers who have already shown their appetite for Dublin."

Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker | Image supplied to Newstalk.com

Dublin Airport chief executive, Kevin Toland, added: "We want to express our warmest welcome to Qatar Airways and its new daily route between Dublin and Doha.

"We welcome tourists from Doha and beyond to enjoy Ireland’s traditions and lively culture."

However the new route comes amid uncertain times for the Gulf state.

Qatar has been the subject of an embargo by neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.

They claim Qatar is supporting terrorist and extremist groups.

They have also made a list of demands on Doha - which includes the shutting down the Al Jazeera network, the closure of a Turkish military base and scaling down ties with Iran.

Concern has been expressed about air connectivity due to the embargo, as some countries will not allow Qatar use their airspace.

However Qatar Airways flights are continuing to operate and alternative flight paths are being identified.

A spokesperson says this is not an issue "at present".

Qatar Airways plans to add 26 new destinations will be launched in 2017 and 2018 including Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Accra, Ghana; Canberra, Australia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Mombasa, Kenya.