United to fly to emerging Middle East

United Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways, and has plans to expand its Washington DC-Kuwait service, from January 2008.

The codeshare agreement opens up a wealth of travel options to United customers, with flights now available to Doha, Qatar; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Male, the Maldives, and Peshawar, Pakistan.

Members of the United Mileage Plus frequent-flier program will also benefit, as they will be able to accrue miles on flights with the Middle East airline.

Michael Whitaker, United's Senior Vice-President of Alliances, International and Regulatory Affairs, said that the codeshare agreement, and new daily Kuwait service, was designed with business customers in mind.

"The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing business regions in the world, and our customers tell us they want more service, with convenient schedules, to this emerging destination.

"We are pleased to give our customers what they want by increasing our own flights to Kuwait, and by partnering with Qatar Airways to offer flights to five countries we've never before served."

The United-Qatar partnership complements a pre-existing strategic cargo deal between the two airlines.

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