Qatar Airways Begins Nonstop Service to Philadelphia

Qatar Airways, the flag carrier of the oil-rich Persian Gulf state of Qatar, begun its nonstop daily flights Wednesday from Philadelphia International Airport to Doha, the capital of Qatar.

"@Michael_Nutter: #QatarAirways 1st flight has just landed in Phila, greeted by water cannon salute!! pic.twitter.com/SAwIVJHxAl" #QatarInPHL
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) April 2, 2014

The city is the fifth in the United States served by the airline, which serves more than 120 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America and South America.

Philadelphia political and business leaders have hailed the service. Mayor Michael Nutter said after last year's announcement that convenient international air service is essential to the economic vitality of the region.

Airport CEO Mark Gale called it a "huge deal" and told KYW that Qatar Airways is the first foreign flag carrier to enter Philadelphia in over a decade.