Qatar Airways to increase India operations by 20%

Dubai: Qatar Airways said on Monday it will increase the number of flights on its Indian network by 20 per cent starting September with additional services focusing on Delhi, Cochin and Amritsar.

India is Qatar Airways' single biggest market by the number of destinations served and the country alone makes up over 10 per cent of the airline's international network, the Doha-based carrier said in an emailed statement.

"We are pleased to announce additional frequencies to Delhi, Cochin, and Amritsar from September, which further cements our commitment to the Indian market," Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said in the statement.

He said the addition will raise the company's flight capacity to India from 56 to 88 services a week, representing a 57 per cent increase over the year earlier period.

14 services a week

Starting September 1 the number of flights to the northern Indian city of Amritsar will rise from four-a-week to daily, the company said in the statement.

The Doha-Delhi route, which currently operates daily, will secure an additional daily flight taking the capacity up to 14 services a week.

Cochin will get an additional four flights a week.