S.S. Manoj/ Times of Oman
Doha, Jun 17: People of the Malabar area in Kerala, south India, had one more reason to smile from yesterday.
They came in hordes and received with thunderous applause and traditional chendamelam and thalapoli a Qatar Airways flight QR284 that touched down for the first time yesterday morning at Kozhikode Airport from Doha.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief executive officer, led a delegation of high-profile international media from Europe and the Gulf, including the Times of Oman, on the maiden flight.
Local political leaders including MPs — P.V. Abdul Wahab and T.K. Hamsa; business leaders of Malabar Chmaber of Commerce and senior airport officials were on hand to receive the first flight — Airbus A320 — which was full to its capacity.
This is Qatar Airways’ — which has a five-star rating from Skytrax, the independent aviation industry research company — ninth Indian destination after Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Thiruvanathapuram, Kochi and Nagpur.
Abdul Wahab, while addressing the gathering at a function organised to welcome the inaugural flight, said it was a long-cherished dream of the people of the Malabar area to add more flights to the newly-expanded Kozhikode International Airport.
“It was a long struggle. A struggle of almost two decades,” the business-turned-politician said.
Wahab said it was Kozhikode which started its expansion plan on a public-private participation but Kochi’s Nedumbassery airport beat them and became the first in the country to open an international airport with public-private participation.
He said the struggle to get land and other technical problems added to the woes. Just to make a one-km runway, they had to spend a huge amount.
On arrival, Al Baker said: “Today is an example of the tremendous energy that has gone into making our latest route a reality. Following on the success of our three route launches to India last year, our latest addition demonstrates our commitment to the people of India — and to the people of Kerala.
“I would like to applaud the Indian government and its determined efforts to open up air access for Qatar Airways to more cities across India. I am delighted we are able to spread our award-winning five-star service to yet another city on the global map.”
The new route is expected to have tremendous appeal for expatriate Keralites living and working in the Gulf region, as well as tourists from across Europe and other parts of the world.
Kozhikode, the state’s third largest city, is home to serene beaches, historic sites, lush green scenery and world-renowned ayurvedic treatments — a haven for holidaymakers seeking adventure and relaxation.
Qatar Airways officials also said it would operate a fleet of 110 aircraft by 2013.
During 2007, Qatar Airways ordered 80 Airbus A350s, together with 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s. The airline has ordered five of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ for delivery from 2010. Qatar Airways will move to the new Doha International Airport in 2010, when the first phase of the new facility opens.
The Qatar Airways daily flight will leave Doha at 23.10pm and arrive in Kozhikode at 6am next day and depart Kozhikode International Airport at 7am and arrive in Doha 8.45am.
Al Baker is scheduled to hold a press conference today before a presentation.