Qatar Airways expands India operations

New Delhi, Dec 21: Qatar Airways will operate 49 flights a week and connect with more Indian cities from next year.

It normally operates 30 flights between Doha and Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. Under the open skies policy during winter months, the airline is operating 42 flights a week.

According to a new air services pact, Qatar Airways can increase the maximum number of seats from 5,300 to 10,800 per week.

''Beginning April 2007, Chennai and Ahmedabad will join our burgeoning Indian network,'' said its chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker. ''We will also mount freighter services to Nagpur around that time with two flights a week.'' Chennai and Ahmedabad will be serviced by 177-seater Airbus A321 aircraft. Besides, said Mr Al Baker, Kochi and Hyderabad flights will see frequency increase by two and three respectively for giving both cities a daily operation.

Chennai and Ahmedabad will be joined next year by New York, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Lagos, Dar Es Salaam and two points in eastern and northern Europe. The routes will be served by Boeing B777 LR (long-range) aircraft.

''India is one of our key markets, sustainable due to high demand for air services,'' said Mr Al Baker.'' The airline is also doubling the number of seats on both daily services to Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram by deploying Airbus A330 aircraft.

Qatar Airways has a fleet of 52 Airbus planes and flies to 70 destinations worldwide. It plans to acquire 60 Airbus A350s and 22 Boeing B777s with deliveries of the latter beginning November 2007.

UNI