Qatar Air wants to increase destinations

* Wants eventually to serve 120 to 150 destinations

* Would consider North America, South America, Australia

* Sees no sign yet of a slowdown in bookings

NEW YORK, Dec 9 - Fast-growing Qatar Airways wants eventually to fly to up to 150 destinations, one of its senior executives said on Tuesday.

Ali Al Rais, executive vice president of the airline, said Qatar Airways would in time consider adding more destinations in North America, South America and Australia, among others.

Doha-based Qatar currently serves 83 destinations, including New York and Washington and next year will fly to Houston, Texas.

Qatar Airways has a current fleet of more than 60 planes but has about 200 new planes on order.

"We are aiming very high," said Ali Al Rais in New York. "We'd probably settle for 120 to 150 destinations worldwide eventually."

He said Qatar Airways was pressing ahead with its expansion despite the global economic slowdown.

"There is a bit of uncertainty -- still, Asia is doing very well," he said.

"Qatar is one of the few countries that is running its economy on cash available," Ali Al Rais added.

Airlines across the world have been hard hit this year by high oil prices, with some of the biggest carriers posting steep falls in profits or losses.

U.S. airlines announced big cutbacks earlier this year as they grappled with the unprecedented oil prices, but since then crude has plummeted from a record high above $147 in July to under $43 on Tuesday.

Ali Al Rais said he has seen no signs of slower bookings for Qatar Airways.

"I have been watching our numbers very carefully and I have not seen the numbers actually changing -- it has been consistent," he said.

"At least until February, I don't see any change in the numbers," Ali Al Rais added.