The carrier returns to the airport for the first time since 2011 after withdrawing from the London hub citing commercial reasons.

Upon announcing the relaunched route, Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said the UK was one of the airline’s “most important markets”.

“We are tremendously excited to add Gatwick as an additional gateway to London, thereby offering our passengers even more choice and convenience when travelling to this magnificent city.

“As our sixth gateway into the UK, Gatwick will serve as a key new destination for business and leisure travellers alike.”

The new service between Doha and Gatwick will be part of Qatar’s recently announced joint venture with British Airways, which sees BA’s short-haul flights to Gatwick supplying feeder traffic for the service to Doha as well as to wider destinations on Qatar’s network.

Qatar currently serves Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, with a service to Cardiff beginning on May 1.

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick chief executive, said: “I am delighted to welcome Qatar Airways – one of the world’s premier airlines - to Gatwick for this exciting new double-daily service to Doha. 

“Qatar is an important business destination, particularly for those working in finance, infrastructure, oil and gas and those spending time relaxing can do so in some first class facilities.

“This new route to Qatar compliments Gatwick’s flourishing long haul network which now covers over 60 direct routes to destinations across the globe.”