A NEW non-stop flight to Doha was being launched today by Qatar Airways, in spite of the current conflict in the Gulf region.

The airline will fly four times a week direct from Manchester to the city.

Doha is where the coalition forces Central Command headquarters are located, and where the war in Iraq is co-ordinated.

Qatar Airways currently runs 39 routes, and by the end of the year is planning to fly to 50 destinations.