Qatar Airways have some massive plans for expansion in the coming days, according to reports.

If reports are to be believed, then Qatar Airways will launch 12 new destinations in 2018, finalise an agreement to buy 49% of Italy's second biggest airline Meridiana, and to start an Indian airline, in addition to providing high speed internet aboard all of its flights, reported Gulf Times.

According to Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, the 12 new routes, including San Francisco as its 15th US destination, will be in addition to the 14 that were earlier for 2017-18.

The newly announced destinations are San Francisco (US), Cardiff (UK), Utapao (Thailand), Chittagong (Bangladesh), Mykonos (Greece), Málaga (Spain), Accra (Ghana), Lisbon (Portugal), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Prague (Czech Republic), Kiev (Ukraine), and Mombasa (Kenya).

Al Baker was speaking on the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

Italian airlines company Meridiana will operate as a full-service carrier to destinations in Europe and beyond.

Qatar Airways will also apply with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) for a domestic Indian airline operating licence in the next few weeks, he said. The Indian carrier will be majority owned by QIA, with Qatar Airways controlling a minority interest. It is understood that the new airlines will operate with around 100 planes.

Enhanced connectivity on board

Qatar Airways will become the “first airline in the Middle East” to launch high-speed broadband on flights starting this summer, along with a brand-new graphic user interface for improved usability and a complimentary new entertainment application for early access to thousands of entertainment options.

“Qatar Airways constantly strives to create the ultimate passenger experience. It’s this simple methodology that continues to place us ahead of our competitors when offering the best service in the skies,” said Al Baker.

“Seamless connectivity is part of our passenger’s lifestyle requirements on the ground and is fast becoming a minimum expectation for travel in the air. In order to not just meet these expectations, but to exceed them, I’m delighted to announce this partnership with Inmarsat, the leading provider of airborne broadband connectivity,” he added.

Initially available on the Boeing 777 and Airbus 350, Inmarsat’s GX Aviation product will offer “seamless connectivity” through its proprietary Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network, designed perfectly for use in commercial aviation.

Redesigned website

Qatar Airways is in the process of redesigning its website and it will be launched in early May. The new website will showcase the airline’s destinations and service, and features more than 2,000 new destination and fleet images, and over 400 videos, including 360-degree videos and panoramic images, reported The Peninsula.