* Enhanced connectivity of 20 new weekly flights as Qatar prepares to host football extravaganza
Air India has announced the introduction of 20 new flights per week to Qatar from key Indian cities. The added capacity will cater to the surge in demand expected around the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in November and December, the airline said in a statement.
The flights, to be introduced from October 30, will connect Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai with Doha during this period. A total of 13 flights per week will operate from Mumbai, four from Hyderabad and three from Chennai. These flights will be in addition to the existing daily flights to Doha from Delhi.
The additional connectivity to Qatar follows Air India’s increase of 24 new flights on its domestic network last month. These additional 24 flights included two new frequencies on each of the Delhi- Mumbai, Delhi-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Chennai routes, as well as one new frequency on the Mumbai-Bengaluru route. The strengthening of network connectivity is being enabled as more aircraft return to service.
Commenting on the introduction of new flights for Qatar, Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial
Officer, Air India, said: “Bringing in the football extravaganza in this part of the world, Air India aims to provide strong connectivity between India and Qatar. Football fans across Indian are excited to be in the stadiums in Qatar where the world’s best football talent will be competing with each other. Our flight schedule has been planned to make the entire travel experience convenient and seamless. Over the past few months, we have been working closely with our partners to return aircraft to service which has resulted in these additional flights. Air India hopes to continue to provide world-class flying experience for landmark sporting events in the future as well.”
While the additional Air India flights in the Mumbai - Doha route will operate from October 30 to December 27, the Hyderabad - Doha schedule is from November 11 to December 25, and Chennai - Doha from November 10 to December 24.
The flights, to be introduced from October 30, will connect Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai with Doha during this period. A total of 13 flights per week will operate from Mumbai, four from Hyderabad and three from Chennai. These flights will be in addition to the existing daily flights to Doha from Delhi.
The additional connectivity to Qatar follows Air India’s increase of 24 new flights on its domestic network last month. These additional 24 flights included two new frequencies on each of the Delhi- Mumbai, Delhi-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Chennai routes, as well as one new frequency on the Mumbai-Bengaluru route. The strengthening of network connectivity is being enabled as more aircraft return to service.
Commenting on the introduction of new flights for Qatar, Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial
Officer, Air India, said: “Bringing in the football extravaganza in this part of the world, Air India aims to provide strong connectivity between India and Qatar. Football fans across Indian are excited to be in the stadiums in Qatar where the world’s best football talent will be competing with each other. Our flight schedule has been planned to make the entire travel experience convenient and seamless. Over the past few months, we have been working closely with our partners to return aircraft to service which has resulted in these additional flights. Air India hopes to continue to provide world-class flying experience for landmark sporting events in the future as well.”
While the additional Air India flights in the Mumbai - Doha route will operate from October 30 to December 27, the Hyderabad - Doha schedule is from November 11 to December 25, and Chennai - Doha from November 10 to December 24.