Airline Code [QTR]
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Qatar Airways has spelled out ambitious plans to expand its presence across India as part of a long-term commitment to one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker, spoke of how the airline had grown its network across India over the years – the latest being the launch of daily non-stop flights from the airline’s Doha hub to the southern Indian coastal city of Kozhikode on 16-Jun-08.
Qatar Airways currently operates 58 flights a week from Doha to nine cities in India, including daily scheduled services to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Kozhikode, together with a twice-weekly operation to Nagpur.
Al Baker added “India today is by far the largest single market for Qatar Airways with a network of nine cities which represents more than 10% of our global network of 83 international routes. We are eyeing up many more opportunities in this huge market and look forward to opening up further routes to give the travelling public to and from India more choice.”
The airline currently operates a fleet of 62 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 83 destinations worldwide, including the Far East and Indian subcontinent.
Kozhikode is the airline’s second route launch of 2008, following the launch of non-stop flights between Doha and the southern Chinese industrial city of Guangzhou launched in Mar-08. From 10-Nov-08, Qatar Airways will commence scheduled flights to Houston from Doha.
During his media briefing, Al Baker spoke of Qatar Airways’ plans to take delivery of its third Boeing 777 aircraft this Summer, which will be the start of an aggressive fleet expansion programme over the next few years with an average of one aircraft joining the airline every month.
Deliveries will include the airline’s first Boeing 777-200 Long Range version from Nov-08, which will be capable of operating non-stop to any key international business and leisure destination from Doha.
Qatar Airways currently has outstanding orders for more than 200 aircraft worth over USD30 billion.
© Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 18-Jun-08
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India to play key role in Qatar Airways’ global growth strategy 
