Toronto – Qatar Airways has announced further expansion into India
this year with the launch of scheduled flights to Nagpur and Ahmedabad
to take the airline’s network of cities served across the country to
eight.
Starting September 23, the Doha-based carrier will launch
twice-weekly flights to the central Indian city of Nagpur, located in
the State of Maharashtra. Nagpur, with a population of over two million
people, is known for its farming belt and orange-growing centre.
International companies have begun looking at Nagpur as India’s next
base of technological excellence.
Qatar Airways will be the only full-service scheduled international airline flying to Nagpur.
Almost three months later, beginning December 12, Qatar Airways will
start daily operations between Doha and Ahmedabad in the western Indian
state of Gujarat. The city is Gujarat’s largest and the state’s
cultural and commercial capital. Ahmedabad established itself as the
home of the booming textile industry, earning it the nickname, the
‘Manchester of the East’ and was at the forefront of the Indian
independence movement.
Both routes will be operated with an Airbus A320 aircraft in a
two-class configuration of 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in
Economy.
Qatar Airways currently operates 42 flights a week to six cities across
India – seven services a week to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin,
Trivandrum and Hyderabad. The addition of Nagpur and Ahmedabad take the
airline’s Indian capacity from 42 services a week to 51 across eight
cities.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said India was a key part of the
airline’s growth strategy, reflected by the fact that it the airline
currently serves more destinations in India than in any other country.
“Our customers have been eagerly awaiting the launch of our Nagpur
flights for several months. I am now delighted to announce that Nagpur
will finally be part of our international network from September 23.
Following our highly successful daily Mumbai flights, Nagpur will
become Qatar Airways’ second gateway city in Maharashtra, giving our
passengers greater choice.”
Nagpur is an extremely resource-rich region of Maharashtra offering
tremendous business opportunities as it is also one of India’s largest
inland container transport hubs. A new economic zone and airport are
being planned in the city.
“Ahmedabad is one of India’s largest industrial centres, enjoying a
strong reputation as an important base for commerce, trade and
industry. Both Nagpur and Ahmedabad will provide excellent connections
for our passengers from the Middle East, Africa, Europe and United
States,” added Al Baker.
With the growth of the Indian economy into a potential global
powerhouse and Qatar’s drive to spread its economic wings, increasing
air links between the two countries is of paramount importance.
Bilateral trade between India and Qatar has an estimated value of just
US$1 billion, the majority represented by the export of $690m worth of
Qatari liquid natural gas (LNG) to India.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 58 all-Airbus
aircraft to 78 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far
East, Indian subcontinent and North America. The highlight of this
year’s expansion has been the launch of flights to New York (Newark)
and Washington DC – the airline’s first move into the North American
market.
DOHA – NAGPUR Schedules:
Route
Days
Flight Number
Departure
Arrival
Doha – Nagpur
Wed, Sun
QR288
2200
0430 *
Nagpur – Doha
Mon, Thur
QR289
0535
0705
* Arrival the following day
DOHA – AHMEDABAD Schedules:
Route
Days
Flight Number
Departure
Arrival
Doha – Ahmedabad
DAILY
QR282
2145
0345 *
Ahmedabad – Doha
DAILY
QR283
0445
0640
* Arrival the following day
Notes to Editors:
Qatar Airways is one of only five airlines in the world with a Five
Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the
independent aviation industry monitoring agency. In July 2007, Skytrax
voted Qatar Airways as having the Best First Class in the world. The
airline’s cabin crew were deemed Best in the Middle East for the fifth
consecutive year, and Qatar Airways was also voted Best Airline in the
Middle East.
During the 2006/07 financial year, Qatar Airways carried more than 8
million passengers worldwide. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com
Qatar Airways’ award-winning Privilege Club recently won an
unprecedented eight accolades at the annual US-based Freddie Awards,
designed to honour loyalty programs across the global travel industry.
For more information, visit www.qmiles.com
Doha-based Qatar Airways will have a fleet of 110 aircraft by 2015 –
almost double the existing size. Qatar Airways has ordered 80 Airbus
A350s in a deal worth more than US$16 billion, and 22 Boeing 777s, with
deliveries of the latter beginning in November 2007. The airline is a
launch customer of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five
aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from 2010. Qatar Airways
moves to the New Doha International Airport in 2009, when the first
phase of the new facility opens. For more information, visit www.ndiaproject.com
Source by travelvideo.tv
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