By Pocyline Karani

When everyone in the global air transport industry is cutting back on operational costs by either reducing frequencies, staying away from not-so profitable destinations while shelving expansion plans, some are having it all rosy.

Middle East airlines such as Qatar Airways are enjoying business as usual buoyed by a resilient tourism industry. Speaking to Move It, Qatar Airways spelt its plans to forge ahead with global expansion with a long-term growth that also looks into powering aircrafts using gas through its multibillion-dollar project on going green.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the firm’s long term growth will see Sh3.1 trillion ($40 billion) invested into fleet upgrading and Sh78 billion in existing airport infrastructure.

"We will also focus on delivery of one aircraft every month in tandem with our fleet upgrading programme," he said. The airline further revealed that it was carrying on with its long-term commitment to growth, undeterred by the current economic climate.

With a fleet size running into 68 aircrafts, the firm expects to increase them to more than 110 by 2013 and destinations served to rise from 84 to 120 in the next five years.

"The state of the global aviation industry amid the current economic situation and concerns over health are understandable. But whatever is happening will not affect our growth plans. We are committed to growth," said Mr Al Baker.

Qatar flies daily from Nairobi’s JKIA and has opened opportunities for passengers to fly to their new destinations such as Goa and Amritsar in India; Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.

"India has been, and remains, one of our most important destinations," said Al Baker,